Evening star., 1942-08-18
Tax Exemption
Case Pleaded
By yBrookings
Cites Lack of 'Stote'
University for
District
By !. A. O'lEARY.

BY j. A. O'lEARY.
The fact that the District does not
have State universities was cited as
one of the reasons why tax exemp-
ton should be extended institutions
Of higher learning established here,
Attorney Spencer Gordon argued be-
fore the Senate District Committee
today, In behalf of exemption for
the Brookings Institution.
Senator Clark, Democrat of Idaho.
said he had not thought Of that
before, and suggested this meant
District taxpayers do not have the
burden of supporting education
above the high school level.
Corporation Counsel Richmond
Keech pointed out distinction
should be drawn between a State
university, in which the State con-
trolls personnel and admission OF
students, and private institutions
here, over which the District has
no such jurisdiction.
Organized As School.
Mr.. Gordon testified that the
Brookings Institution was organized
under District laws for educational
and scientific purposes, as an en-
dowed school. operating without
profit. He said its property at 722
jackson place N. W., was exempt
until the District governments re-
cent survey of all exemption cases
led to a recommendation that it
is not being used for educational
purposes.
Originally, Mr.. Gordon said, the
institution conferred the degree of
PHI. D., but In recent years it has
been giving one-year courses to STU
dents who have put in two years at
other universities and who receive
their degree from the original uni
versity.
The District draws a distinction
between this educational work and
general research activity in which
Brookings engages, but Mr.. Gordon
contended the research is OF the
same type carried on by other uni
versities.
Makes No Profit.
Former Representative Meyer
Jacobstein. an official of Brookings,
said that while the institution re-
ceives compensation for some Of its
research work, it makes no profit.
To illustrate, Mr.. Jacobstein said
Brookings made a survey for Mont
gomery County, Nd, for which it
receive $1,000, but that before the
task was finished, it cost nearly
$4,000.
Corporation Counsel Keech in
quired why the District should help
meet such deficits. Mr.. Gordon re-
piled he did not think the District
is being asked to do that, contend
ing that was only one OF many
services performed by Brookings.
Earlier the committee heard fur
ther testimony in an effort to clear
up the status of religious houses
Of study located near, but not on
the grounds of Catholic University
Sister Explains Work.
Sister Mary Jamesetta, 0. p,
representing a Dominican teaching
society, explained the order built a
house of studies In Brookland in
1910 to enable its sisters to study
at Catholic University for their
teaching work.
Attorney Leo A. Rover explained
the status of the seminaries con-
Quoted by Josephite Fathers in
Brookland, and by the Order OF
Discalced Carmelite Fathers, on
Lincoln road. Both. he said, are
seminaries housing their own classes
and faculties.
The committee may complete its
hearings today on the McCarran bill
to liberalize the law governing tax
exemption for the property OF re-
Iigious. charitable and educationa
institutions.
The bill is intended to restore
exemptions to some Of the institu-
tional properties placed on the tas
rolls by the Commissioners during
the last 13 months, because the Rea
Estate Tax Exemption Board con
cluded they did not come within
strict Interpretation of the prescn
law.
To Study Amendments.
Senator McCarran. Democrat, O
Nevada, has indicated he probabl!
will wait until Congress resume
regular legislative business mex
month before seeking action on tn
new exemption measure. Meanwhile
the committee will study a series o
amendments offered during tn
hearings by organizations who's
spokesmen feel the bill needs fur
ther clarification to meet deserving
cases.
Outstanding among these amend
ments is a suggestion that the defl
milton of exempt land surroundin
institutions be the amount reason
ably" used or required. instead Q
the amount absolutely" required.
Among the witnesses heard yes
terday afternoon were Charles '
INLAY, for the Baptist Home Of tn
District: Dr. Robert L. Lang, super
intendent of the National Luthera
Home For Aged; Mrs. David N
Lea, for the Episcopal Home Fc
Children. and officials of the Mare