The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1893-06-01
Taxation Of Bicycles.


Ed. HERALD.-There has been some
talk recently concerning the propriety
of placing special tax on bicycles. In
opposition to such measure, allow me
to call attention to the following facts
Bicycles are merely machines by
means of which muscular power can be
used in locomotion to better advantage
than in walking and persons using their
muscles in this way are, as the word
velocipede expresses,-swift footed.
Mechanicians estimate that six miles
can be ridden on a bicycle with no
greater expenditure OF power than is re-
quired in walking one mile. The real
value of the invention is so great that it
is not strange that at first glance it
should be thought to be a subject for
taxation, yet it should be remembered
that to the great number OF riders it is
necessity as well as luxury as means
of transportation.
This can be easily proved ii a person
will take the trouble to observe how
many mechanics, clerks, and others 60
to their work on wheels. This is par
ticularly noticeable in manufacturing
cities and towns, where large numbers
of men ride on bicycles to their places
OF business.
The bicycle is helping to solve the
tenement house problem, as it enables
the workman to live in the suburbs
where he has some of the advantages of
country life and yet he can ride to his
work in the city. A tax on bicycles
would be burden placed directly upon
thousands OF the better class OF mechan-
| les to whom the machine has become
necessity, as much so as their tools or
household effects which are exempt
from taxation.
If the bicycle, which increases the
amount of work that may be performed
by the body, is fit object to be specially
taxed, then every other machine, device,
or tool which increases the amount of
work that may be performed by muscu.
lar effort is fit subject for taxation.
In the minds OF some persons, and
probably in the minds OF the assessors,
a bicycle is a bicycle, whether it be a
poorly constructed, unsafe machine, the
value of which does not exceed SlO,-or
whether it be one of the most perfect
make with pneumatic tires,-the value
OF these tires alone being greater than
the whole machine OF another make.
On what principle OF equity therefore,
could the average assessor determine the
taxable value OF bicycles 1t would be
necessary for him to take board of eX-
perts along with him to examine every
machine, if it were to be taxed at its
true valuation, the same as other prop,
erty is, in theory, taxed. Itsurely would
be most unjust to have fixed sum as a
tax on every bicycle whether it be worth
$40 or $3.50.
The better way for the assessors to
spend their time would be in searchidg =
out the ownership OF the stocks, bonds,
and other personal property OF the rich,
rather than to spend their time harassing
the poor man who possess a bicycle as a
means OF locomoton from his home to
his workshop.
1t should be remembered that at the
present time the question OF the better
ment OF the highways is a paramount
subject OF discussion throughout the
country, and anything that tends to i'm,
prove the roads is considered worthy OF
special commentator. The bicycles as
we'll as the bicycle riders have done
much to promote the cause of better
roads; the bicycles, because the wheels
improve the roads; and the riders, be
cause they are road inspectors and work
ers for road improvement. Therefore
instead OF these useful machines being 6
subject of taxation, 1t would seem tfat
it would be more equitable to pay &
bounty to their owners because of the
good work they are doing in the better
ment of the highways. P