Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-12-15
~ Rental Tax
Plan Studied in
Prince Georges
Board Also Weighs
Levy on Unused
U. S. Property

|
rentals and an annual payment
by the Federal Government fol
its $4,000 undeveloped acres in
Prince Georges County are sug-
Igestions being studied today by
the Board Of County Commits
sioners in their about drive to
raise SIS billion for growing
school and public service needs
Commissioner A. Preston Perrie
said yesterday the rental tax
would bring in some $410,1OO
from apartments alone. While
the other four commissioners
agreed the plan would be profit
able. they questioned whether il
would be constitutional and eco
nomical to institute.
Commissioner Frank j. Last
Iner. irked for many months over
the Governments building and
buying Of Montgomery County
land, WAS authorized to try to
negotiate with Federal officials
for a tax or some type of pay
Iment for its undeveloped land in
Prince Georges.
He said he thought chances
ARE good that the Government
will either make some financial
contribution or sell the land out
right. Funds on undeveloped
land have been granted Green
belt under two special acts, he
added.
Other Taxes Considered
The commissioners appar-
emily are pinning their highest
hopes on a 2-cent cigarette tax,
expected to raise 100000, a SIS
auto fee, expected to bring in
$3.50, 900 and a 2 per cent tax on
horse racing bet payoffs.
Herbert w. Reichelt, president
of the board, noted that the tax
would not be paid by bettors,
but would come from their win
nings.
1.-The county where Saratoga
Track is located has a S per cent
tax like that and it receives in
the neighborhood of SIS million, !"
Mr.. Lastner said.
The board is not holding out
much hope for a IS per head
pupil tax, declaring it might be
too discriminatory, maybe I'M
constitutional. and impractical to
administer. The suggestion for
professional license, such as is
required in neighboring Virginia,
was set aside when Mr.. Reichelt
said there were probably only
100 attorneys in the county.
Walter F. Mulligan, president
Of the Prince Georges Civic Fed
told the board his group
would strongly oppose any move
to legalize slot machines. Mr..
Reichelt said he felt the same
way about the proposal, which
was offered by another civic
group.
Gangsters Feared
Revenue raised by slot ma
chimes would not be worth ex-.
periencing the "gangsters" the
devices would lure into a county
that has been cleaned up" Mr..
Mulligan said. Commissioner
Jesse S. Baggett said that 90
per cent of slot machine players
are women.
Expenses at the animal shelter.
should be taken care of by in
creases in dog tag fees the COM
said yesterday they
will institute in a new county
When tags are re-
newed July l, cost for licensing
a male will be raised from ST.
TO 2, while cost for females will
be increased from So to SO.
In other business, the commits
sioners appointed new taxicab
advisory committee to report
within so days on the merits of
4 request by c. Gerard Buscher,
mack inspector, to raise the 225
lab limit to $50. A previous COM
nittee was dissolved last week
when Mr.. BuScher and cab driv-
ers openly admitted to wide
spread violations of taxi regula-
ions.
Members Of the new committee
ire Harvey Geller, president of
he Glassmanor Citizens Asso-
;iation; Maurice Ulmer of the
Lane Manor Citizens Associa-
ion; Detective Sergt. Joseph Hill
# the county police force; George
,. Buckholtz. president of the
;ounty's Cab Drivers Association,
md Mr.. Mulligan. named chair
nan. Mr.. Buscher will serve ex-
)flcio.