Evening star., 1940-05-20
D. {. JobIess Bill
IsApproved
By Committee
Liberalization Plan
To Go on Calendar
For Next Monday
BY JAMES E. CHINN.

BY JAMES E. CHINN.
The latest plan for liberalizing
the local unemployment compensa-
ton law as embodied in the Nc
Gehee bill was approved today by
the full House District Committee.
The measure will be placed on the
House calendar in time for consid-
Grafton next Monday, which prob.
ably will be the final District day
of the fast-waning congressional
session.
The committee also ordered IA
vorable reports on four other bills,
most of them minor in character,
and authorized Chairman Randolph
to appoint a. special committee to
make an exhaustive investigation
of the gasoline tax situation in the
District in comparison with that
in the States.
The plan for amending the Un-
employment Compensation Act Is
the one on which representatives Of
the c. l. O., A. F. of L., business
organizations and members of the
Judiciary Subcommittee agreed last
week. A previous disagreement
threatened to kill the legislation
at this session.
Under the approved plan the pay
roll tax of employers would be re-
duced from 3 to 81 per cent, limited
to the first 5000 of salary, and
made retroactive to January /, 1910.
Benefits to the unemployed also will
be increased.
The benefit payments to the job
less will range from a minimum of
$6 to a maximum of $l8 q week.
The benefit period extends up to 10
weeks with a maximum payment of
so per cent of the earnings in
base period
The Gasoline Tax Subcommittee
was appointed after Chairman
Randolph told the committee he
thought the present 2-cent local
tax too low and pointed out the
Fiscal Affairs Subcommittee had
tabled bill he introduced in
August, 1899, to increase the levy
to 3 cents gallon.
Corporation Counsel Elwood H.
Seal warned that under the pro-
posed legislation the gasoline tax
fund would be diverted for purposes
other than street and road improve
ments and cause the District to lose
about 100000 A. year IN Federal
highway aid payments under the
Hayden Cartwright Act.
Chairman Randolph, however, said
cent increase insthe gasoline tax
would produce about $l,S75, 900
year In added revenue and that
even if the District lost the 500, 900
Federal payment it would still gain
revenue.
Poage Heads Subcommittee.
The special investigating subcom-
mittee is headed by Representative
Poage, Democrat. Of Texas. The
other members are Representatives
Hunter of Ohio and Schultz of In
diana, Democrats, and Sandager of
Rhode Island and Goodwin Of Iowa,
Republicans.
In addition to the bill amending
the unemployment compensation
law, the committee approved the
following measures and ordered them
placed on the House calendar.
l. Authorizing Federal and Dis
trict employees to appear as wit
nesses in court without the loss of
pay or annual leave.
2. Restoring to Juvenile Court its
former concurrent authority with
the United States courts for the
District over non-support cases, and
exclusive authority over cases in
volving adults willfully contributing
70 the delinquency of a minor.
3. Authorizing the Commissioners
to establish automobile parking lots
in the Municipal Center area.
4. Increasing the compensation
OF members of the Board of Exam
liners of steam engineers from 50 to
$40 day when meetings are held.
Representative Schultz charged
during the meeting that move had
been made to drive taxicabs of the
streets of Washington and called
attention to what he described as
recent "edict" of the Commits
sioners requiring taxicab drivers to
procure a guide license costing $40
year If they give any informa-
zion to a passenger.
Lets get the Commissioners up
here for an explanation he de-
manded.
May Not Meet Again
AS result of his complaint the
committee adopted a motion calling
on the Commissioners to appear be-
fore the committee. Chairman
Randolph, however, advised the
committee another meeting NAV not
be held before adjournment of Con-
gress.
Complaint also was made by Rep
resentative Sandager that the un-
necessary blowing of automobile
horns in Washington constitutes
"confounded nuisance"
Il wonder why the anti-noise reg
ulation Is not enforced?" he asked.
The unnecessary blowing of auto