Evening star., 1947-01-28
Hearings 10 Link
Federa!|Paynneni
And DC. Taxes
Bates Says Both
Questions to Be
Studied Together
By Don S. Worren

By Don S. Worren
Assurances that legislation dealing
with the size Of the Federal payment
to the National Capital will be con-
sidered along with proposals for
$4,000, 900 In. boosted District taxes
came today from the House District
Committee.
Representative Bates, chairman
Of the fiscal subcommittee of the
House group, said both questions
would be studied together in forth
coming hearings on the Districts
big revenue problem.
The Federal payment question
was placed officially before the
House for the first time this year
IN a measure introduced yesterday
by Representative Hebert, Demo-
crat, of Louisiana. This is a dup1i-
cate of the fixed formula-land
based bill sponsored at the other end
Of the Capitol by Senators OMah-
ouey Of Wyoming and Overton of
Louisiana, Democrats.
Joint Hearings on Revenue.
The revenue problems are to be
the subject of joint hearings between
the fiscal subcommittee of the House
and Senate District Committees.
Arrangements now are being worked
out by Senator Buck, Republican,
Of Delaware. and Representative
Dirksen, Republican, of Illinois,
chairman of the full committees.
Like the OMahoney .oyerton
measure, the Hebert bill calls for
adjusting the size of the Federal
payment in general ratio with the
tax-free Federal land holdings here.
Under this plan, the Federal pay
ment now would be 10 per cent of
the total of last years District tax
revenues. The present $4,000, 900
Federal payment now amounts to
about 10 per cent of the total mu-
nicipal outlay.
at would be the most equitable
solution to the District United
States fiscal problem" Mr.. Hebert
said. my purpose in placing the
measure before the House was to
expedite action on the revenue
problems"
Studies Under Way.
Mr.. Bates said the joint hearings
with the Senate Revenue Subcom-
mittee probably would be started in
about three weeks. Much prelim-
mary study, however, now is under
way, he said. He is awaiting data
"a1ong many lines" from the Gen.
sus Bureau, the Municipal Admin
instration section of the Library of
Congress and other agencies.
I'VE are making very exhaustive
study" he said, "and it covers all
sources of revenue" He said this
included present FERNS of taxation
here and the proposal to broaden
the scope of the District income tax
so it would apply to thousands not
now taxed, although they live or
work in the District.
Another revenue problem was
brought before the House yesterday
when Representative Bates intro
duced a bill at the request of the
Veterans of Foreign Wars calling for
the creation of Municipal Depart
ment of Veterans Affairs. It would
authorize an outlay of $250,000 a
year for the service.
Provides Job Preferences.
The measure would give prefer
ence in municipal jobs to veterans
of both world wars, to the widows
of servicemen or to wives of vet
erans so disabled they cannot take
fuu-time jobs. The department
would be headed by a veteran, officer
or enlisted man, appointed by the
Commissioners without regard to
civil service requirements. The pay
would be $1,000 a year.
Meanwhile, Chairman Buck of the
Senate District Committee con-
firrned reports that Senator Cain,
Republican, of Washington would
succeed Senator Flanders, Repubh-
can, of Vermont as chairman OF the
Fiscal Subcommittee in charge OF
Districe revenue measures.
Senator Flanders asked to be re-
lieved Of the Craftsmanship because
of other Senate assignments, but
Is to remain as member OF the
subcommittee.
Judges Bill Deferred.
The idea of holding joint House
Senate hearings on all important
District matters took concrete form
in another quarter. The Judi
ciary Subcommittee Of the Senate
District Committee postponed q
hearing scheduled for today on an
increase in the number of Municipal
Court judges to await time for
Joint hearings with a similar sub
committee on the House side.
The Senate subcommittee Is
headed by Senator KEN, Republican,
Of Missouri. The House group is
headed by Representative O'Hara.
Republican, of Minnesota. The
two groups will consider bills spon-
sored by Senators McCarran, of
Nevada, and Johnston of South
Carolina, both Democrats. Both
bills propose an increase from 10
to Is In the number of Municipal
Court judges, but the McCarran
bill seeks sitter requirements for
iudgeship candidates.
Senator Buck, meanwhile, an
nounced the regular meeting time
for the Senate District Committee
after today would be at 2 pm. every
Tuesday.