Evening star., 1947-06-08
House Will Pass
C.FiscaI Plan,
Sponsors Feel
Bill Due to Come Up
Tomorrow; Some
Opposition Seen
20 PER CENT CUT IN relief funds
threatened here, Senate told. Alt
By Don S. Worren


Despite threats of rebellion
from at least two sources, lead
ers of the House District Com
mittee yesterday were confident
the House would pass their $l3,-
100000 municipal revenue pro-
gram.
Representative Bates, Republican,
of Massachusetts,. chairman of the
Fiscal Subcommittee, in urging the
six-point plan, said he believed it
would be accepted by the House,
which is slated to act on it tomor-
row. A similar prediction was made
by Chairman Dirksen of the full
District Committee, who said he did
not anticipate any upsets.
Key House leaders, it was said,
have given no indication they would
throw their influence toward revi-
sion of the program.
Some opposition is expected. how
ever. Chairman Horan of the Dis
trict Subcommittee of the House
Appropriations Committee, plans to
offer an amendment calling for a
general 2 per cent sales tax having
only minor exemptions.
To Fight Income Tax Boost.
Representative O'Hara, Repub-
lican, of Minnesota, an active mem
Der of the District committee, is ex-
pected to lead fight against the
proposed broadening of the Districts
income tax, which now affects only
$4,000 individual taxpayers here.
To meet an impending heavy Dis
trict deficit, the revenue program
calls for a 25-cent increase in the
realty tax rate, raising it to 50 per
500 of assessed valuation, a $4,000
900 increase in the 100000 Fed
eral payment to the District: broad
ening of the income tax base to pro-
duce an additional $3,100,000; a IS
per cent increase in water rents; a
l-cent boost in the gasoline tax
and a doubling of the annual So
cent auto inspection fees.
In addition, the District Commit
tee is recommending a cut of So $780,
900 in the record breaking $95,000,-
900 budget now being analyzed by
the Horan Appropriations subcom-
mittee. Much confusion still exists
on this major issue since Chairman
Horan declares the budget probably
will be increased to considerable
degree instead of being cut down.
Opposes Part Time Teaching.
Mr.. Horan is waging campaign
to eliminate part time instruction
of District pupils caused largely by
lack of classroom space. More
than 1000 pupils are getting only
part time instruction, which Mr..
Horan considers disgrace. He
wants a sales tax to produce funds
for $12.700,oo0 program to provide
additional classrooms.
1t became clear yesterday, how
ever, this plan as yet lacks the ap-
proval of his subcommittee. One
member said:
IF we could do that. it would be
wonderful, but I doubt if we can do
this all at once. 1t would add to
infationary prices and perhaps be
ruinous financially"
Temporary Step Suggested.
This member suggested that as a
temporary measure it might be bet
ter to reopen some of the abandoned
school buildings for use until con-
struction and financing possibilities
are improved.
Some of the pupils now in part
time classes might have to go much
further to school, but he argued this
would be better than being kept on
part-time instruction.
Sales tax advocates insist. per
cent levy. with minimum Of exemp-
tions, would produce between $12,-
100000 and $15,000,000 and solve
most of the Districts financial woes.
The District Commissioners, who
had first recommended more mod
crate general sales tax, had antici-
pated its returns would amount to
about 100000.
Bates Opposes HOran Plan.
The Horan plan faces opposition
from Mr.. Bates. Studies made by
his subcommittee, Mr.. Bates reports.
show that the District will have
s23 900 900 available for capital i'm
provements in the fiscal year be-
ginning July with s7,500,000
available for schools.
Such sums are "as high as could
reasonably be expended" for con-
struction and other permanent i'm
provements in the next fiscal year,
without running into conflict with
the housing program and the prob
lens of District finance, he de-
(See REVENUE, Page A-7.)