Evening star., 1948-06-11
Johnston Announces
He's SET 70 FiIibuster
District Revenue Bill

the revenue bill intended to prevent
the District from incurring deficit
increased today when Senator
Johnston, Democrat, of South Caro-
lima. announced he would continue
TO fight the bill.
He blocked Senate action yester-
day because the bill contains 2
per cent retail sales levy combined
with a high bracket income tax re-
vision. The South Carolinian main
tains the sales tax would be hard
ship on the low wage Garner with
a large family.
Senator Johnston told reporters he
might even flibuster against the bill
if necessary.
He said he had the promise Of
support from several other Senators
on the filibuster plan. Chairman
LANCER of the Senate Civil Service
Committee, who is seeking passage
of Government pay raise bills, was
listed as one Of those in the john
ston camp. .-,..-
Realty Tax Increase Threatened.
Senator Cain, Republican, OF
Washington, head of the Fiscal Sub
committee of the Senate District
Committee in charge of the revenue
bill. has warned that failure Of the
revenue bill, coupled with passage
of pay raise measures, might force
an increase in the District realty
tax rate by so cents, from. 81 per
500 of value to $3.50.
Senator Cain is hoping for d grant
of time in the Senate. before Con-
gress adjourns, perhaps next Satur-
cay night, to fight out the city
finance problem.
The bill came up yesterday on
call of the calendar and went over
when Senator Johnston refused
unanimous consent for its considera-
ton. ..
Senator Johnston said that in
stead of sales tax and hlgh-levei
income tax he favors an increase in
the Federal payment toward District
costs. One of the moves he has
under consideration, he said, is SUBJ
stitution of an increase OF S3,0O0O 1000
in the Federal payment for the en-
tire combination revenue bill. That
payment now is $l1 10000 to the
general fund and s1,000,O00 for wa
ter used by the Federal Govern
ment.
Taft Promises New Opportunity.
Another opportunity for floor con-
sideration of the bill, however, will
be given by Republican leaders.
Senator Taft, Republican. OF Ohio,
chairman of the Policy Committee,
promised this in spite of the con-
pested condition of the Senate CAL
endar as Congress races toward an
adjournment target June 10.
I'VE have II or 13 things Of
national Importance which must be
handled" Senator Taft told re-
porters. I'VE couldn't give that
revenue bill much time for long
debate"
Asked If 1t could come up again he
replied, 'Oh yes"
Senator Cain conferred with
Senator Taft at some length after
the session yesterday.
StIldpOl dll 1CtOEik6Sa tAaS AAN>>>
for consideration of the tax meas
ure," Senator Cain said.
Senator Cain said the Republican
leader promised to take up the prob
lem at the next meeting OF the
Senate Policy Committee.
Cain Stresses Need.
The bill proposes 2 per cent
retail sales tax and high-level in
come tax exempting the first $4,000
of income.
Senator Cain stressed the need
Tor the revenue bill, estimated to
raise about s6,500,00O or 100000,
to meet a possible pay raise for
Federal and District Government
employees, now in an uncertain
status in the closing days of Con-
gress.
Senator Cain had several amend
ments ready to offer for changing
the House bill. Most important Of
these would have provided the ef-
tective date should be July / this
year only if Government pay raise
we're approved. Otherwise the ef-
tective date would have been July
next year.
This provision would have written
INTO the bill an agreement Senator
Cain has with Chairman Bates of
lle House District Fiscal Subcom-
nittee.
Representative Bates, Republican,
Of Massachusetts, has said sales
rict's fiscal year beginning July /,
is49, but he contends it will not be
needed at once unless Congress
.rants a pay raise for Federal and
District workers.