Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1949-04-03
Aiken Asks Exemption
OF Low-Prieed Meals
In Sales Tax Bill
by Don 5. Worren

A belated move to exempt low
priced meals from the House
passed city sales tax was started
on Capitol Hill yesterday as the
Senate District Committee planned
to act Tuesday on the $4,000, 900
revenue bill.
The suggestion that restaurant
meals selling for about 81. or a
little more, be added to the ex-
emption of foods for home con-
sumption came from Senator
Aiken. Republican, of Vermont.
He said he would raise the ques-
ton when the measure comes UP
for action on the Senate floor,
unless the District Committee
writes the change into the bill.
Favorable action on the tax bill
by the District Committee is fore
cast by Chairman McGrath. Once
out of committee, an effort will
be made to find time for it in
the loaded Senate calendar. but
Majority Leader Lucas said last
night he could not yet say when
that would be, perhaps not before
May l.
Quick Action Sought.
District officials have been
pressing for a decision by May 1
so the city may receive in the
next fiscal year sufficient funds
to meet budgeted and anticipated
costs.
Senator Aikens said he was Gin
herently opposed to any tax, on
necessities" adding that If there
was to be sales tax foods of all
kinds should be exempted. He
said it was particularly important
to exempt meals as well as gro
ceries because there are so many
Government clerks living here in
apartments having no me-cook-
ing facilities.
The Aiken plan may be resisted
by Senator Hunt, Democrat. OF
Wyoming, head Of the Senate Dis
trict Fiscal Subcommittee, in
charge of the revenue bill. He be-
lieves a sales tax should be with
out exemptions, on the ground
that to exempt one item leads to
demands to exempt others.
Hunt Won't Fight Bill.
Senator Hunt, somewhat reluc-
family. in the interest Of expedit-
ing action in view of the city's
fund shortages, has agreed to go
along" with the tax bill as passed
by the House although it exempts
food for home use, prescription
medicines, candy, bottled soft
drinks, artificial limbs. false teeth.
glass eyes, hearing aids and other
devices prescribed for the handi-
capped.
If present schedules are carried
out, this will be q week loaded
with work on District business.
A House District Committee
session is scheduled for tomorrow
morning to act on number of
bills. One of these is the child
care center bill, authorizing "a
District outlay of $4,000 instead
of this years $4,000 but allow
ing fees from paying parents to
60 into a revolving fund instead
of into the city treasury.
The House group also is to act
on bills to permit authorized per-
sons presumably only police to
kill starlings; to require written
stop orders on payment of ne
gotiable papers; and to require
American citizenship for District
license for physicians coming here
from other Jurisdictions, or for
eign countries.
Home Rule Bill Pushed.
Hopes were voiced that the
Washington charter bill for an
elected city government would be
( completed In time for considera-
ton by the Senate District Com
mittee at its Tuesday meeting.
Most issues have been settled by
the Kefauver Home Rule SUBJ
committee. officials said last night,
except a declaration or a formula
for the Federal payment toward
District costs. Efforts were being
pushed to settle this before Tues
day.
A special meeting to act on the
council-city manager plan is
promised by Chairman McGrath
, il it is not ready for District Com
mittee action Tuesday.
Meanwhile. tentative plans are
In the making to start Senate
hearings on District spending in
the year beginning July /. Senator
Hill. Democrat. of Alabama, head
&of the District subcommittee of
Sthe Senate Appropriations Com
mittee, indicated the hearings,
which will be open, may start
Thursday.
House Cut Budget.
y because a new revenue bill was
not yet on the books, the House
I sliced s$4'<oo 600 from the Com
nnissioners' sos .000, 900 budget.
but this still left an impending
$4,000, 900 deiicit-not counting
on the $40, oo0. 900 extra needed if
District Gqyernment workers are
Ato be givs1 las promised $3.50 re-