Iron County register., 1893-07-13
Why Tax Bicycles?
Boston.

70 the Editor:
| DEA? SIR-There has recently ap-
peared in the newspapers a statement
| that the assessors of Lowell, Mass, and
| of Paris. France, have expressed their
intention of placing a tax on bicycles.
In behalf Of thousands of riders, beg
leave to submit protest.
| Mechanicians estimate that six miles
can be ridden bicycle with no greater
| expeaditure of power than is required in
walking one mile. The real value of the
invention is SO great that it is not strange
that, at the first glance, it should be
thought to be subject for taxation;
| yet it should be remembered that to the
| great numbers of riders it is a necessity
as well as luxury as means of trans
| portation.
This can be easily proven if a person
will take the trouble to observe how
many mechanics, clerks and others go
| to their work on wheels. This is par
ticularly noticeable in manufacturing
cities and towns, where large numbers
of men ride on bicycles to and from
their places of business.
The bicycle is helping to solve the
tenement-house problem, as it enables
Gu0 WOThLudu " live Ill tIlc U6s
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 a burden placed directly upon
thousands of the better class of mechan
les to whom the machine has become
necessity as much 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 spe-
cially taxed, then every other machine,
device or tool which increases the
amount of work that may be performed
by muscular effort is fit subject for
taxation.
On what principle Of equity, there-
fore, could the average assessor deter
mine the taxable value of bicycles? 1t
would be necessary for him to take a
board of experts along with him to ex-
anime every machine, if it were to be
taxed at it's true valuation, the same as
other property is, in theory, taxed. 1t
surely would be most unjust to have a
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 searching
out the ownership of stocks, bonds and
other personal property of the rich,
rather than to spend their time harass-
ing the poor man who possesses BIZ
cycle as means of locomotion 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 paramount
subject of discussion throughout the
country, and nything that tends to inn
prove the roads is considered worthy of
special commentator. The bicycles as
we'll as bicycle riders have done much
to promote the cause Of better roads; the
bicycles, because the wheels improve
the roads; and the riders, because they |
are road inspectors and workers for |
road improvement. Therefore, instead |
of these useful machines being sub !
ject for taxation, it would seem that it |
would be more equitable to pay boun-
ty to their owners because of the good |
work they are doing in the betterment !
of the highways.
1 should be very glad to learn your
views upon this subject. Very truly |
yours, ALBERT A. POPE.
How much personal tax does Col.
Pope pay? His SO royalty on every BIZ
cycle made must make quite sum of |
stocks and personal property.