Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1949-05-10
.McGrath Insists
Senate Will Pass
Sales Tax Bill
Measure Sidetrocked
Briefly for Action on
Treosuy-P. o. Funds
By Don S. Worren

Chairman McGrath OF the SEN
ate District Committee today pre-
dicted q decisive Senate vote is
coming on the sl8.00o,o00 city
revenue bill despite delaying tao
tics of sales tax opponents.
A "filibuster" lasting four and
a half hours was staged yesterday
by Senator Johnston, Democrat.
of South Carolina, against the
sales tax plan. This may be re-
sumed by him or his supporters
when the bill is taken up again.
late today or tomorrow.
Senator McGrath was not dis
mayed. Still believing the SEN
ate will approve the bill. sub
stantially as reported. he told re-
porters:
There is no question but that
we will reach a final vote on the
city revenue bill"
Sidetracked Temporarily.
The city tax bill was sidetracked
temporarily today to permit &C
ton on the Treasury-Post Office
appropriation bill. This had been
reported from the Senate Appro-
priations Committee April 20.
Some Appropriation Committee
spokesman said the fund bill might
not require more than one hour
or two. But with prospect that a
more extended argument might
develop, Chairman McGrath re-
served the right to demand a
return to consideration Of the city
tax bill, If the other measure Is
not passed by tonight.
Senator Johnston, most out
spoken foe of the sales tax plan.
expects to have aid from some OF
his colleagues, as soon as the tax
bill study is resumed. Senator
Nicely, Democrat, of West Virginia,
and Senator Morse. Republican, OF
Oregon, are among those sched-
uled to attack the sales tax.
"Filibuster" Not Stopped.
After holding the floor for most
of yesterdays session, ending at
SOS pm. Senator Johnston yielded
the floor. But this would not stop
him from resuming his "filibuster." "
Senate experts said.
Just before ne ended his
talkathon yesterday. he introduced
four more amendments to the
bill. On each of these the
parliamentary experts said. he
could talk twice in each legislative
day.
These amendments. co-spon-
sored by Senator Nicely. called for
a ascent increase in the District
realty tax rate. a broadening OF
the city's income tax with in
creased rates, doubling Of the
liquor taxes and an increase in
the Federal payment to rs per
cent of the appropriated budget.
Proponents of the tax bill. as
passed by the House and amended
and "softened" by the Senate
District Committee, indicated they
would make no attempt to shut of
debate.
See Eventual Victory.
Believing they would win ulti-
mately, they we're letting the OPP
position wear itself out"
In addition to a sales tax ex-
groceries. all medicines
and restaurant meals up to $3.50.
the pending bill calls for a Is
cent increase in the realty tax
rate; a broadening Of the city's
income tax with an increase in the
basic exemption to $4,000 of net
income: a SO per cent increase in
liquor license fees and city liquor
taxes; a 100 per cent increase in
beer taxes, and a 1-cent-per-pack
tax on cigarettes.
Sales tax opponents have picked
up some new supporters.
For instance, Senator Flanders.
of Vermont took the
floor late yesterday to tell Sena-
tor Johnston his minority report
on the tax bill was more SEN
sible and constructive" than the
majority report. He
said he wanted to "go on rec
ord" as to this.
Senator Johnston covered q
wide territory of argument about
District finances yesterday. He
quoted the 1895 Jacobs commits
sion report on the fiscal relations
between the Federal and District
Governments and made extensive
use of testimony this year oefore
the joint House Senate District
Fiscal Subcommittee.
BY midafternoon Senator Nc
Grath took the floor TO accuse him
of .filibuster" tactics when . par
liamentary issue arose over a third
quorum call.
Senator Johnston won this
technical point. but had to so on
for some time with his debate.
with the aid of glasses OF milk.
lSee SALES TAX. Page A-6l
Emily Post on