Evening star., 1941-07-14


a course of study equivalent thereto.
to appear on the stage of any
! licensed theater, in any travelling
| theatrical production or in a mu-
sical recital. provided they do not
appear after II pm. or more than
six hours or two performances in
any one day. or more than six days
a week or more than "a hours a
week.
During an explanation by Repre-
sentative Randolph of the recreation
bill he told the House its approval
would stand as tribute" to the
late Representative Bolles, Repub-
lican, of Wisconsin. who died sud-
denly last week. Mr.. Bolles had
taken keen interest in the pro-
posed legislation.
Earlier. at a meeting of the House
District Committee. Chairman RAN
ph announced he would introduce
at the request of the Commissioners,
bills to increase the District gasoline
tax from 2 to cents gallon and to
modify the Borland Law to relieve
abutting property owners Of the
present so per cent assessment for
new roadway construction.
/ The announcement was made
following disclosure by Repre-
sentative Randolph that the COM
missioners already had turned over
! to him drafts of the proposed legis-
/ lation. The additional revenue from
the increased gas tax. he explained,
would be used to help finance the
/ elght-year highway improvement
| program recommended by the High
way Department which is estima ted
! to cost S44 100000.
The Commissioners also sent 20
I Chairman Randolph the draft of
| bill TO authorize the installation
of additional parking meters, the
revenues from which also would pe
used to aid in financing the c<ten-
slve highway program. Mr. Ran
dolph pointed out, however, that
legislation already is pending be-
fore the committee to authorize in
stallation Of additional parking
meters
Pinball Tax Proposed.
Even before Chairman Randolph
revealed that the Commissioners
are seeking an increase in the gas
tax. Representative Schultz, Demo-
crat. OF Indiana. proposed that Con-
gress give the District some adGi-
tional revenue by imposing a s25
annual tax on pinball machines
and juke boxes. Representative
Copeland, Republican, of Nebraska.
| suggested that the tax be levied
| against all merchandise vending
machines, as we'll.
Commissioner Young, who was
present at the meeting. was urged
| to look into" the proposals and
decide whether the Commissioners
desired such tax legislation.
A letter sent to Chairman RAN
dolph by Commissioner Hazen ex-
planned that 2-cent a gallon in
crease in the gasoline tax is 'neces-
sary" If the proposed highway pro-
gram is to be completed within
eight years.
1T is the view of the Commission
ers,' he said. that this should be
done with all reasonable dispatch,
hence the increase of cents per
gallon instead of l cent"
more Workable Arrangement"
Modification of the Borland law
to relieve abutting property owners
of one-half the cost of roadway
paving and limiting assessments
to one-half the cost of laying curbs
and cutters, Commissioner Hazen
said. lis a more workable arrange
ment and more in keeping with the
actual benefits derived. This change,
together with the increase in the
gasoline rate, would more properly
balance the burden of the cost Of
highway improvement"
Recommending a tax on juke
boxes and pinball machines, Mr..
Schultz declared: There is an in
dustry growing up in this country
from which the District should get
some revenue. The pinball machine
gives you nothing and the juke
boxes in 80 per cent of the cases
are nuisances.
If you want to get little pleas
ure watch the boy with the satchel
who goes around to collect the
nickels from these machines.
That's one way to pay of the
war debt
Meter Bill Reported Adversely.
With reference to the parking
meter legislation proposed by the
Commissioners. Mr.. Schultz ex-
planned that the bill now pending
before the full committee author
izing additional meters had been
! adversely reported by the Streets
and Traffic Subcommittee, which
he heads
Commissioner Young wanted to
know why.
Mr.. Schultz told him it was the
view Of several members of the SUBJ
committee that Washington should
get away from the horse and buggy
days" and also that highway officials
had made no serious effort" to pro-
vide off-street parking facilities on
the fringe of the business section.
There are a number of lots down
town now that can be used for that
purpose" he declared.
Railroad Request Refused.
The committee refused at the re-
quest Of the Pennsylvania Railroad
to offer an amendment to legislation
now pending In the House providing
for creation Of IN Accident Indus