Evening star., 1948-06-07
Hope Of Passing
Hon1e.Ru|e Bill
This Year Fades
Little Chance Is Seen
For Senote Action in
Log-Jom Of Measures

Virtually the last ray of hope for
enactment by this Congress OF
Washington's home rule bill was
fading today because of the increas-
ing log jam of legislation.
Sponsors of the bill still believe
they could get a favorable vote in
the House if given adequate time
for consideration of amendments to
the 180-page bill
However, the bills advocates are
confronted with reports that there
is no real chance for Senate action
on the bill, even if it were passed
promptly by the House.
Owens Death Causes Recess.
The log-jam in the House, it was
pointed out, was made heavier by
today's recess because of the death
of Representative Owens, Republi-
can, of Illinois. This put over until
tomorrow heavy schedule of Dis
trict bills and other measures.
Chairman Dirksen of the House
District Committee had not decided
whether he still would press for an
other day in the House on the home
rule bill. but consideration was
being given to the thought that 1t
would be better to let the bill go
over to the new Congress next jan
uary.
Consideration also was given to
the possibility that House action on
the bill might be adverse if an at
tempt were made to put it through
during the closing days turmoil.
II it is decided to let the bill go
over, the measure may be revised
in the next six months to simplify
some Of its provisions.
Action on Sales Tax Put Off.
Among the District bills on which
action was postponed until tomor-
row was the city revenue bill pro-
viding for per cent retail sales
tax and a so-called high level"
income tax.
Mr. Dirksen said he was conf
dent the revenue bill. expected to
raise s6500,000 to $7000.000. will
be passed by the House. He insisted
the measure should be made effec-
tive next month regardless OF
whether Congress passes legislation
to raise the pay of Federal and Dis
trict Government employees.
If pay raise is granted the in
creased payroll is expected to add
approximately the same amount to
the District budget as the revenue
bill is expected to raise.
uoxn;+oI Mill nafarr.d
The income tax would be on sal
aries above $4,000 and the sales tax
would be per cent on all retail
sales excepting food for off premise
consumption, medicinal supplies and
merchandise already covered by
special taxes.
Another District bill on which
action was postponed was the one
TO authorize the admission of mental
patients direct to st. ElizabethS
Hospital, bypassing Gallinger Hos
pital.
Meanwhile, 1t was announced that
further hearings by District sub
committee will be held soon on the
Senate bill to relieve automobile
parking congestion in the downtown
area. The measure authorizes the
Commissioners to lease city property
for as long as so years to private
enterprise for the construction OF
parking garages. At the end of the
lease, the buildings as well . the
property would belong to the Dis
trict. The measure has been ap-
proved by the Senate.
The District Committee decided
TO take no action on measure to
revise the District corporation law
Mr.. Dirksen said the Bar Assocla-
ton was divided on the merits of
the bill. The bill passed the Sen
ate long ago.