Evening star., 1947-06-28
C.onferees Meet
0nNextStep
DC Fund Battle
House Ban on Tuxing
u. S. Workers Reviyes
Talk Of Sales Levy
By Don S. Warren

House and Senate conferees
on the Districts embattled reve-
nue. bill were to meet at noon
today to chart their next step
made necessary by the thunlp-
ing rejection by the House of a
broader income tax.
Talk of a sales tax Immediately
was revived. Suggestions that it be
substituted now or later for the
present, restrictive income levy
arose shortly after the House late
yesterday insisted that government
workers living here but claiming
legal residence in the States be
exempted
There was no immediate de-
termination except that it seemed
sure the Districts revenue for the
fiscal year beginning next Tuesday
would be shortened by about 81 ,600,-
900 by reason of the House action.
This set up prospects that an add1-
tional cut of this amount would have
TO be made in the pending District
appropriation bill, soon to go to
the House for action.
Roll Call 222 to 7S.
The O'Hara amendment providing
blanket exemptions to government
workers who sign statements they
are domiciled in their home States
won the support of the House by a
roll call vote of 222 to 7S.
The size of this vote surprised
many, and brought comments from
revenue bill conferees there seemed
no choice left but for the Senate
to accept the demands of the House.
Action by the House came on a
motion by Representative OHara,
Republican, of Minnesota that the
bill be recommitted to the conferees
with instructions to the House man.
ayers to insist on the O'Hara amend
ment. This amendment had been
written into the bill earlier by the
House, but was rejected by the
Senate. The conferees this week
recommended 1t be stricken from
the measure.
Assuming the bill finally is passed
with the O'Iara exemption amend
ment attached, District revenues
next year are calculated to be in
creased by $11,9o0000. This would
include the $4,O0O,o0O increase in the
Federal payment, and $7,900,000
from increased taxation. The latter
includes a Is cent increase in the
realty tax rate to So per $100 value,
rs per cent increase in water
rates, a / cent boost in the gasoline
tax and doubling of the auto in
spection fee.
Subcommittee Seeks Action.
The District Subcommittee of the
House Appropriations Committee
now is pressing to get the reduced
but still record breaking city budget
before the House. Majority Leader
Halleck told the House yesterday he
hoped it would be ready by We'd
nesday. Later, Representative Ho-
ran, Republican, of Washington,
head of the subcommittee, told
reporters he thought it would not
be ready until week from Monday.
Earlier, the Horan subcommittee
had indicated the top figure for the
supply bill would be around $98,000,-
000 In view of the House action
on the O'Hara revenue bill amend
ment, Mr.. Horan said it was good
guess the new budget ceiling would
be about $96,000,000.
Fighting for much greater rev.
enues to meet budget demands, Mr..
Horan was cheered by the House
insistence on the O'Hara amend
ment, taking this as an indication
the sales tax now would have to
be adopted. He plans an appeal
to the District Committees to recon-
mend such a tax He is predicting
such a measure will be adopted
within a year.
Cain Would Avoid Impasse.
Senator Cain, Republican, of
Washington, head of the fiscal sub
committee of the Senate District
Committee, last night said he was
sure of one thing: That it would not
be to the interest Of. the District
for tho Gnpate RI craate on iy,,no cca