Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-04-22
METHODS OF MOTOR TAXATION.

| We recently called attention to the
able features of the new Vermont law
which imposes tax on automobiles
for the benefit of the roadways Of the
state is that the proceeds of this tax
are TO be expended on the highways OF
the county in which the tax is raised.
| In other words the money raised in
ench county is to be spent on It's own
roads. so that auto owners will get the
direct benefit of the money they pay in
! taxes on their machines
1t is interesting to note in this con-
nection that the proposed new meas
ure for the taxation of autos In New
York has some features similar to
that passed by the Vermont Lcgisla-
| ture. IT Is announced that represent
tatives of automobile users and manu-
facturers who have been in frequent
| conference with legislative leaders at
Albany for the last month have reach
ed an agreement on the automobile
| legislation to he enacted at this ses-
sion and the bill agreed upon has been
completed.
In order to avoid constitutional
questions over the taxing of Il specinl
class Of the users ofFpublic thorough
fares the bill provides for registra-
ton fee for owners of automobiles. IN
stead of a tax. This registration foe
rating Of the horse power of .automo
hiles by the Association of Licensed
Automobile Manufacturers. This reg
istration fee is to he paid to the SEQ
rotary of state by automobile owners
at the annual rate of 81 for each car
o. under 20 horse power. Sc for cars
md $40 on cars Of 30 horse power and
over. Clauffeurs are to pay an initial
annual registration fee Of $40. and she
fee will he 81 each year thereafter.
Automoh ilos used solely for CONNER
cial purposes, or which are propelled
by electric battery power. or are used
or to he used solely within the con
fines of city. are to pay nominal
registration fee Of So without regard
t" their horse power. as they would
not use tho good roads. The reristra-
tion fees imposed stall be in lieu of
all Of the taxes general or local to
which motor vehicles misnt be sub
icct rs personal property
All money penalties collected ~
magistrates must he turned into the
state treasury monthly, which would
leave no incentive for town justices OF
the peace establishing traps for the
unWary automobiles.
Vermont aNtoists will also be inter
ested in the measures under consider
alton in New York In connection with
speed limitation and good roads. The
permanent highways already con-
structed are in such a bad state Of re-
pair, due to automobile users, thu.
the New York State highway commits
sion is going to experiment with an
asphalt cement covering which will
prevent automobiles from sucking up
TIE surface construction now used and
will not award any contracts for good
roads until this question is settled.
The present Legislature will be COIN
PEELED to appropriate s1,5o0.Oo0 to re-
pair the existing good roads. and
after that this repair work will cost
about 100000 n year. This automo-
bile registration bin will raise about
100000 the first year, and as adti-
tional good roads are completed 1t is
expected that the revenue from this
source each year will amount to
enough to keep the roads in repair.
BY the terms Of the new measure in
question all speed limitations pre-
scribed by State or local ordinances
are abolished and the common law
rule requiring safe driving under all
conditions is adopted. Upon this ques-
ton the bill reads:
Every person operating motor
vehicle on the public highways OF this
State shall drive the same in care
full and prudent manner and at rate
of speed SO not to endanEer the
property of another or the life or limb
of any person
The new law puts the question OF
speeding entirely up to the good judg-
ment and common sense of the auto
, mobile user. Where there are
stretches of road long enough and
! wide enough to permit automobiles
r speeding there is no provision In the
law prohibiting 1t. but IL the automo-
biles are responsible for any damage
to life or limb or any other damage
3 the owner must stand the burden.
= The giving of bell or horn signal at
Z every cross road in the ountry Is pro-
vided for.
Our neishbors Of the Empire state
have apparently overlooked the fact
. that excessive speed Is to be guarded
against as a measure of protection for
good roads as we'll as to safeguard
G human life, but this IL a consideration
NJ n