The weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1891-1894, 1893-05-19
TAXES ON THE BICYCLE
A Protest Is Made Against A Tax
That is Regarded as
UnWisc.
It is Also Unjust Because it Weighs
Upon the Poor, Not
the Rich.

Now it is the bicycle riders turn to
kick, for he is going to be taxed, and
taxed heavily, unless some power steps
in to save him.
Under tho present iniquitous system
of taxation prevalent all over this
try, it is the duty of the assessor to let
nothing escape his eagle eye, and it was
to be expected that he would soon
pounce upon the bicycle. He will soon
be levying tribute on the spectacles of
the old lady, the bady's cradle, the edi-
tors scissors and the shoe-maker's awl,
if, indeed, these are not paying already,
and the masses are praying that the day
may soon come when the single tax, as
advocated by Henry George, will have a
universal application, so that the asses
sor of taxes may give his nose a rest.
The Montana assessor was not slow in
discovering the beauties of the bicycle
as a subject for taxation, but those of
the east, and of foreign countries, who
are a little slower of discernment than
the Montana variety, are just now be-
ginning to realize what a harvest may
be gathered in if the wheelmen are all
duly assessed. The advocates of the
latter are also w~ideawake, and some of
their arguments are here given. They
contend hat bicycles are merely ma
chimes be means of which muscular
DOW or can he used in locomotion to bet
ter advantage than in walking and per-
sons 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-
CURED in walking n 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
a necessity as well as a luxury as a
means of transportation.
This can be easily proved if a person
will take the trouble to observe how
many mechanics, clerks, and others go
to their work on wheels. This is partic-
ularly noticeable IN manufacturing
cities and towns, where large numbers
of men ride on bicycles to thoir 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
-.-lx - tha ntfu fnv on IIaualnC
would be a burden placed directly upon
thousands of the better class of mechan'
les to whom the machine has become a
necessity, as much so as their tools OF
household effects which are exempt from
taxation in the east.
T IL the bicycle, which increases the
( amount OF work that may be performed
by the body, is a tit object to be special
ly taxed, then every other machine, de-
vice, or tool which increases the amount
of work that may be performed by
muscular effort is a tit subject for tax.
alton.
In the minds of some persons, and
, probably in the minds of the assessors, {
bicycle is a bicycle, whether it be a poor
RECONSTRUCTED, unsafe machine, the value
Of which does not exceed $40, or whether
it be one of the most perfect make with
pneumatic tires, the value OF these tires
alone being greater than the whole ma
chine of another make.
On what principle Of equity, therefore
could the average assessor determine thu
taxable value of bicycles? 1t would bt
necessary for him to take a board of ex
perts along with him to examine every
machine, if it were to be taxed at it's trut
valuation, the same ae other property is
in theory, taxed. 1t would surely b.
most unjust to have "a fixed sum as a ia,
on every bicycle whether it be worth 81
or $50.
The better way for the assessors t.
spend their time would be in searching
out the ownership of the stocks, bonds
and other personal property of the rich
rather than to spend their time harass
ing the poor man who possesses a bycy
Gle as a means of locomotion from hi
home to his workshop.
1t should be remembered that at thu
present time the question OF tho better
ment of the highways is a paramonn
subject of discussion throughout tn
country, and anything that tends to i'm
prove the roads is considered worthy o
special commentator. The bicycles a
well as the bicycle riders have dom
much to promote the cause of bette
roads; the bicycles, because the wheel
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
subject eff taxation, it would seem that i
would be more equitable to pay a bount.
to their owners because of the gooG worI
they are doing in tho betterment of tn
highways.
Touching some of the above points, i
} is we'll known that the bicycle has playe'
I and is now playing an important part il
the settlement of the outlying sections O
Great Falls, and it IS certain to do still
more il it is not taxed out of existence
On the road question alone the wheel