Evening star., 1949-05-08
More Support
Found in Senate
For Sales Tax
Moybonk, EIIender
Beck Bill os Test
keors This Week
By Don S. Worren

sN~~% th~ w WIN
BY Don S. Woren
New Senate Supporters of the
Districts deficit solving sales tax
plan were lined up yesterday as
the s18, 900 900 revenue bill headed
into probably decisive action this
week.
Among additional Senators de-
claring for the tax program were
Senators Maybank. Democrat. of
South Carolina. chairman Of the
Banking Committee. and Ellender,
Democrat. of Louisiana. member
of the Appropriations and Agri-
culture Committees.
Chairman Taft of the Senate
Republican Policy Committee. told
reporters he was inclined to vote
for the bill, but made no positive
commitment because he had not
yet made a thorough study Of its
provisions.
Senator Cain, Republican, of
Washington. who last year headed
the Fiscal Subcommittee of the
Senate District Committee. was
prepared to take the floor to aid
in the debate for the measure.
Opponents Also Busy.
Opponents of the sales tax also
were busy. Senator Johnston.
Democrat, of South Carolina,
leader Of the group seeking adop-
ton of one or more substitutes.
said he had been promised the
active support of eight or nine
Senators.
! Among those he said would
speak against the sales tax were
Senators Morse. Republican. of
Oregon; Pepper. Democrat, of
Florida; Douglas. Republican. of
Illinois. and LANCER, Republican,
of North Dakota.
| How many Senators would de-
bate the issues. and for how long,
seemed of key Importance, but
Chairman McGrath OF the Sem
ate District Committee has ex-
pressed the belief there would be
no "filibuster" though the debate
might be lengthy.
Aid Seen in Senate Interest.
The thought was expressed also
that increased Senate interest in
the whole District financial prob
lem, along with detailed study Of
the bill. would prove a help rather
than a handicap to the chances of
passage. = 1of ##
On this point. Senator McGrath.
early in the study of the issue.
came TO the conclusion that the
sales tax was necessary because
there is no foreseeable. attain
able alternative.
He and Senator Hunt. Demo-
crat. Of Wyoming, head OF the
Fiscal Subcommittee in charge of
the bill. both seemed confident
it would be passed. substantially
In the form recommended.
Senator Ellender. in announcing
his support of the bill, struck hard
at the chief substitute proposal
offered by Senator Johnston-an
increase of $4,000, 900 or more In
the size of the Federal payment
toward District costs.
Favors Cutting U. s. Payment.
I'm against any more increases
in the Federal payment" Senator
Ellender said. II would like to see
it reduced instead of increased.
Washington Is a haven for
business people and the amount Of
taxes paid here now is scandalous
in comparison with those paid In
other parts of the country.
Washington ought to carry its
own tax load.
II am for the sales tax. ! am
for the bill as it was reported by
the District Committee. am
willing to pay the sales tax here
| to help meet the Districts costs. y
Hunt to Outline Arguments.
Senator Hunt, scheduled to
outline the principal arguments
for the revenue bill tomorrow. said
he would emphasize the need for
greatly expanded financing for the
school building program
/ Emergency funds needed to
meet minimum requirements OF
the welfare system also were ex-
| pected to be listed. along with
an exara $4,000. 900 that win be
required If District employees are
to be granted the $3.50 pay raise
already given Federal workers.
1 Senator Johnston said he had
not yet exactly mapped out his
stragety but repeated his declara-
tion he would do all ! can to kill
/ the sales tax plan" When a re-
/ porter asked him If he would
talk all night" his answer was
i I'VE might do that II we thought
i it would kill the bill"
Man With Heart Exposed
T.
'IBy Stabbing Improves
i A man whose heart was exposed
I boz n c$ah xr-n,,xA xxtao . ~. -. -.