Evening star., 1949-10-05


In Area Which May
Bring Sales Tax
Legislation in Congress for a
Washington Metropolitan Area
commission on regional co-ordi-
nation was opposed last night by
the Arlington County Civic Fed
Grafton because it feels the pur-
pose is to impose a sales tax in
Virginia.
The civic organization does not
oppose area coordination in fields
other than taxation, however.
Specifically approved was reso-
luton seeking legislation for joint
Metropolitan Area planning and
public utility regulation.
The federation, composed Of
delegates from 40 member organ
izations, also voted to oppose the
November referendum on State
election law revisions. The pro-
posed changes would abolish the
poll tax and at the same time
carry out other sweeping reforms
in the voting laws.
Sasscer introduced Bill.
Both resolutions were recon-
mended to the federation by the
Iepislation and Legal Action
Committee and the Local Govern
ment Committee.
The Metropolitan Area CO.
ordination proposal is contained
in a bill introduced by Repre-
sentative Sasscer, Democrat, OF
Maryland. 1t would set up COM
mission of nine members. three
each appointed from the District,
suburban Maryland and Virginia.
At first the sponsor proposed a
group to study a means of bring
ing about more uniform taxation
In the area but at the suggestion
of the Interfederation Council
composed of delegates from all Of
the areas civic federations-Mr.
Sasscer expanded the proposal to
include not only taxation but gen.
eral planning and operations by
the respective communities max
ing up the Metropolitan Area.
Malcolm D. Miller, chairman Of
the Legislation and Legal Action
Committee. reported last night,
however, that as member OF the
interfederation's' special commit
tee working on the Sasscer bill,
he had never been called to a
meeting Of that committee.
Sales Tax Seen Aim.
"This legislation" Mr.. Miller
reported, docs not fit our purpose
and there seems to be no purpose
in considering tax matters in the
Metropolitan Area, so far as we
can see, except to impose a sales
tax on Virginia"
Nearby Virginia is the only part
of the Metropolitan Area which
does not now have sales tax.
1.-The committee voted to recon-
mend that this bill not be ap-
proved by the federation" Mr..
Miller continued, land that the
Interfederation Council be advised
that it is the desire of this fedora
ton that the council renew its
efforts to have all Metropolitan
Area Congressman sponsor a bill
for an agency to regulate public
utilities throughout the area"
A resolution implementing this
report and also embracing CO.
ordination of planning activities,
was adopted without dissent.
Poll Tax Opposed.
There was some opposition,
however, to the controversial reso-
luton involving the poll tax This
matter has been twice approved by
the General Assembly and gener-
ally has the backing OF State
Democratic leaders.
The federation found that other
changes that would have to be ap-
proved at the same time were. as
Mr.. Miller stated it, "a very light
sugar coating on a very. very Bit
ter pill
The resolution, offered by Har-
ley M. Williams, Local Govern
ment Committee chairman. de-
clared the group Fundamentally
disapproves of the levying OF a
poll tax as a prerequisite to the
right to vote"
It stated that the constitutional
amendments substitute other
suffrage Requirements and extend
powers to the General Assembly
that in a democracy should re-
main in the hands of the people,
Therefore. the group voted, the
referendum question is opposed as
"the worst of two evils" and
members of the General Assembly
were asked to provide clear cut
choice for the voters" on whether
the poll tax shall be repealed.
Democrats Oppose Measure.
During discussion of this reso-
luton, Ernest T. Gearhart and
Stan Stanton, both of whom are
Democratic precinct committee
men, opposed the measure.
Mr.. Miller was authorized to
send a letter to the Interstate
Commerce Commission opposing
proposed scent per zone fare in.
creases by the Washington. Vir-
ginia G Maryland Coach Co..
the Arnold bus line. The ICC was
asked, among other things, to in
vestigate the company's operating
expenses and to see that no in
crease be authorized until the
company presents a sound plan
for reorganization or refinancine
its capital structure.
A four-page letter detailing the
federation's arguments was read
and approved.
On motion of Robert w. Cox
chairman of the Revenues and