Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1942-10-21
Young Expects
No Increase in
District Taxes
Tells Trade Board
Exemption Bill
Is Joke

Federal taxes may soar necessarily
because of war expenses, District
Commissioner John Russell Young
told the Board of Trade at its first
fall meeting last night, but no
increase in local taxes is contemplate
ed, At the same time, the president
OF the Board of Commissioners spoke
with considerable frankness on sew
eral items Of proposed District
legislation and urged the trade
groups thorough investigation and
support.
Mr.. Young denied that Congress
kicks the District around" before
embarking on his discussion Of future
legislation, In which he reported to
the trade body on the tax exemp-
ton bill, two proposed laws growing
out Of the House subcommittee
investigation of Washington crime
and the bill providing reorganization
of the Board of Public Welfare.
I'VE do not have in contemplation
any tax increase for local govern
ment activities" the Commissioner
said. At the same time, he added,
the orderly functions of local gov
eminent must ard will be carried
on; there will be no lowering of the
standard of efficiency.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Young's
talk, the Board Of Trade resolved
that a copy Of the speech be laid
before the next meeting of its
Executive Committee so that it
might be divided up and sent to
the proper committees with in
structions to give prompt considera-
ton and report"
Hits Present Exemption Bill.
Tracing the course of the pro-
posed tax exemption bill, which he
termed "the most important piece
of legislation that has come before
me since I was appointed Com
missioner" Mr.. Young charged that
it would. if passed in its present
form, exempt more real property
from taxation than was exempt
when a Special Board of Review
started its survey two years ago.
At that time, he said. lots and
parcels assessed at $4,000, 900 were
found on the tax free rolls. A
special board was appointed to con-
slider each case and it was found
that $4,000. 900 worth of this prop
erty could be placed back on the
tax rolls. A bill governing tax
exemption was introduced in the
Senate. but has undergone so many
changes, Mr.. Young said, that it
would provide none of the clarihca-
ton and equity the Commissioners
honestly sought. r., E.ss,
{, II think I am speaking Tor the
other Commissioners" he said,
when I say the bill is a Joke"
'' He urged the Trade Boards 100
per cent support of the Commits
sioners in their battle for the tax
exemption bill they want.
The Commissioners welcome the
House subcommittee crime inves-
tigation, Mr.. Young said, but he
pointed out that some of the rec
concentrations of the committee re-
quire legislation. One of the most
important, he said, is the proposed
law providing for a medical ex-
aminer for the Police Department
instead of the present coroner sys-
tenn, which he termed archaic.
Wants Crime Check Law.
Requesting support of the ha-
bitual criminal law, which was
drawn up by Corporation Counsel
Richmond B. Keech and which has
been pending in Congress for
nearly a year." the Commissioner
said I'VE have served here as a sort
OF. magnet for hoodlums, buns and
vicious criminals"
The bill would make mandatory
severe penalties Of second and sub
sequent offenders instead of the
inadequate punishment which the
Commissioner said is handed down
today to those who commit crimes
of violence in Washington.
I'VE can handle these people If
we can get the law passed which
Mr.. Keech wrote" he said.
The Board of Public Welfare, Mr..
Young charged, Is complete
washout" so far as advising or
helping the Commissioners is con-
cerned. The sole purpose of the
proposed bill for its reorganization,
he said, is to provide greater eff
cheney in handling welfare in the
District ION a practical and bust
ness basis"
The bill, placing sole authority
with the Commissioners and re-
tanning the board as advisory, is
prepared, Mr.. Young said, and
with its passage. you can look to
the Commissioners as solely re-
sponsible."
In discussing the present state