Evening star., 1953-06-24
n Voice Views on Alexandra Budoet

Nearly 800 Alexandria citizens
attended the city's annual budget
hearing last night to hear the
fate of the city's proposed 2 per
cent sales tax decided.
It was Alexandria's biggest
budget hearing crowd in many
years and most of those who
attended appeared intent on one
thing-getting the sales tax de-
feated.
The council finally adopted a
budget of $6.8 million. requiring
no sales tax, after hearing 81
citizens speak their minds. All
but two spoke against the rales
tax. Here are some of the COM
ments they made:
Armistead L. BOOthe, attorney
for the Retail Merchants Asso-
citation: Businessmen liked the
idea of putting capital improve
mentS on a pay as you go basis
but it is not necessary to
go the whole hog the first year."
Arthur Shaffer, member of the
Fairfax County Board Of Super
visors: A lot of Fairfax people
would stop shopping in Alex
andria if the city got a sales
tax.
Arthur Kirby of the Retail
Merchants Association: Alex
andria should not count on Ar
lington and Fairfax also adopt
ing sales taxes ''the merchants
of Alexandria shouldn't be called
on to sacrifice for something that
may or may not happen"
Harry Bendall, Alexandria au-
tomobile dealer: eff you pass a
sales tax, you might as well close
up King street entirely"
The Rev. d. L. Miles, pastor of
the Mount Jezeral Baptist
Church: The sales tax would hit
the colored people hardest be-
cause they are in the Mower in
come bracket.
Albert Small, representing
owners of the Arlandria Shop
ping Center: A sales tax would
be an unfair blow to Alexandria
businessmen.
d. c. Book, business manager
Of the Chamber of Commerce:
Arlington stores already are a
threat to Alexandria business
"and that threat will multiply
with a sales tax"
F. Clinton knight, hardware
dealer: "Cut that budget, and
don't give us the sales tax"
Sidney We'll, Post Office De-
partment employe: He felt it
was his duty to join with the
merchants to fight the sales tax.
Mrs. Helen Rundquist, We'll
come Wagon hostess: People
move to Virginia from Washing
ton to avoid a sales tax-"why
put one on here?"
Matthew Hale, Of the Alexan-
dria PTA Council: His organiza-
ton would like to see the school
budget adopted as originally
proposed-with no cuts.
Mrs. Margaret CarlOck, who
described herself as an average
citizen; she urged the council
not hurt the merchants who do
so much for the city.
Abbey Mintz, president Of the
retail merchants: How much
can we stand-water bills are
going up, real estate is being re-
assessed?"
Walter S. Cameron of the
darlington Businessmen's Asso-
citation: It is time to economic.
Leslie C. Smith, automobile
dealer: Councilman Frank Mann
is not concerned about the sales
tax because his business is in
Washington.
Harold Polk, automobile dealer:
The city ought to encourage
people to shop in Alexandria. in
stead of driving them away.
Robert Lainoff of the Del Ray
Citizens Association: His group
is on record in favor of the $6.8
million budget. and is opposed to
the sales tax.
Robert Murphy, who called
himself a private citizen and
taxpayer: He does not want to
be a pallbearer at the city's fu-
neral If a sales tax is imposed.
Harris Whalen, manager of the
Woodward & Lothrop store in
Alexandria: His firm feels the
sales tax would be a great blow
to Alexandria while other Vir-
ginia communities have no such
levy.
Gordon PrOwse, vice president
Of the North Ridge Citizens As
ISOLATION: He feels the prepara-
ton of the minority budget is
contrary to the best interests of
government.