Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-01-17
TAXES
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The statement said hotels here
now pay substantially heavier
taxes than hotels in other cities.
To illustrate, the statement
said "a hotel properties here pay
1886. 900 In real estate taxes.
or about ne-thirty second Of
the total real estate taxes for the
entire district.
II more of q tax load Is placed
on them, it continued, it would
mean either higher hotel prices!
or a reduction in services. He!
warned that hotels are faced
with competition from private
clubs and motels. He urged
that the Federal payment be-
increased in an amount that
would eliminate need for further
tax increases.
Admissions Tax Hit
Spokesman for the entertain
ment world directed their fire at
the proposed 2 per cent tax on
admissions.
John E. Powell. secretary OF
the Westminster Baseball Club,
reminded the fiscal subcommit-
tee that the Washington club
wound up its past season in last
place.
Reporting that attendance at
home games here last year was
about 425,000, he figured q q
per cent tax would have amount
ed to about $4,000. 1t would be
much more next season, he said.
because the club management
expects attendance Of at least
600, 900.
Prices would have to be In
creased, he said, and he feared
this would have a depressing Ell
feet on attendance.
Team Discussed
Representative O'Hara. Re-
publican of Minnesota. asked Mr..
Powell, What kind Of a team
are you going to have this year,"
Mr.. Powell replied: We'll
there will be a lot of new faces
and it will be younger club.
Patrick Hayes. concert bureau
leader, said he thought the city
officials had greatly overesti-
mated the revenue they might
get from a levy on admissions:
He raised the question OF
whether Congress would want
such q tax levied against the
numerous benefit concerts staged
here.
He reminded the legislators
that the National Symphony Or
chestra will be asking the public
to contribute $250,000 this year
to help the symphony meet costs
that concert receipts cannot
meet.
Theater Manager Heard
Scott Kirkpatrick, manager Of
the National Theater, men
toned high costs and competi-
ton from, television and other
forms Of amusement. He noted
also that the National Theater
is closed five months Of the year.
For the Washington Chapter
of Americans for Democratic
Action, Edward D. Hollander OPP
posed any increase in sales taxes.
He said the sales tax is "a vio-
lation of good tax policy
The ADA spokesman said his
group recommended higher
taxes on personal income taxes
and on corporate incomes. as
well as on business franchises,
real estate and alcoholic bever-
ages.
Charles A. King and Alfred
Better, for the District Chapter
of the National Association OF
Retired Civil Employees, urged
more lenient treatment for re-
tired Government workers. They
asked for a greater personal tax
exemption for all persons over
IS years of age. similar to that
in the Federal income tax law
and that the District income tax
be changed to allow an addition
al tax exemption Of $1,000 on
retirement income.
Program Supported
The Washington Board OF
Trade yesterday gave general
support to the Commissioners
tax program, with some excep-
tons, but contended the Federal
payment should be more than
the proposed 50 million increase
. to raise the authorized Federal
share to $40 million.
Bruce Baird. banker and
chairman of the Municipal FL
I nance Committee Of the trade
body, told the Congressional
group that, If all the new taxes
proposed by the Commissioners
were adopted. District residents
on an overall appraisal would be
paying more than those OF sur
rounding counties In Maryland
and Virginia.
He said the trade body had
taken the position. AZ this pro-