Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-06-18
waking Up Trouble

-. -, 1awfslatura of Massachusetts,
- /. hgII brought before IL for the tax
s,ior az All horse vehicles used on the
hirhways OF the state. 10 secure funo
for the maintenance and repair OF said
highways. making the exception OF We
hicles propelled by hand. and this exoep-
ton included motor vehicles Cautomo-
bgles) road rollers, IRE engines paIrOA
wagons and ambulances-
Fsverv other vehicle was to be regis
tered and tagged whether Il was a car
rfare. wagon. cart, sled. sleigh, or any
ether vehicle drawn by horse or horses
That hin as introduced In Massachu-
wettn legislature may, be copied and IN
troduced into other legislatures peiore
sIonS. and as sure as the sun shines sucn
BUS as this will woke up trouoie-aho
the end no one can see-
II means that horse users shall De
kaxed 70 build and maintain state roads
ara n further means that horse owners
shau be taxed for the benefit OF auto
mobilists-
N also means that IL is the purpose OF
n,,eh = blli Is to maintain smooth high
wawx because automobilists desire II A
HIGHT rubber tired buggy with iaoy
gentle horse, costing maybe S-uO. Wlh oe
taxed. while q thousand dollar auto VIII
70 scot free. and you may find a dozen
Sahtrles on a farm-good. bad. and in
direrent-but all must be taxed 10 keep
m smooth road for the rich owner $
auto. which pays no taxes at all
do not need to remind you that II
was the tax on tea. which precipItateo
are war OF the Revolution. The taxing
81 a poor mans vehicles TO keep up
speedwayn for rich mems automobiles
win be 80 much more Of an offense
against public eQuities-that the tea bus
n .
An comparison. 1t Is the horse
ounera or users who do the
drudrery OF the nation, in regard 70 farm
IND. marketing and cheap riding There Is
some pleasure Included in the operation
~ course. but IL Is this useful side OF the
horse and mule that counts. The state eN-
acts a tax on every one OF these animals
and vehicles. according 10 their value put
n VIII raise Cain when they are double
taxed that . smooth speedway shah oe
maintained and repaired for those who
especfaily use and own motor vehicles.
II n fast reaching q place now where
peoule do away with everything that Is
Imxahie that can possibly be spared be-
cause taxation II so heavy. and unreason-
able IN many instances.
persons OF independent means are able
10 leave a state where they are taxed to
benefit q class. and they viii get away.
We nave nA4 E10AN NNd11 AAA1~ 49,
reasonably open and free to land owners
long before there were automobiles IN
vented or thought about. Horses haze
been always driven over these roads be-
cause everybody was compelled TO assist
IN working these roads In labor or by
cash handed over 20 the county author
tiles 70 hire road labor to maintain and
repair them. -
But when one considers that no farm
er's wife can now drive to market with
any peace OF mind because Of the dis
Ike Of horses and mules TO those loud
smelling Woodworking autos. and hun
dreds OF people are being continually In
Iured and many killed by these machines.
Il would seem 70 outrage patience as well
IS justice to hear OF this Massachusetts
: law against horse users directed against
The poor farmer or marketman for the ben
EFT OF a class that can pay thousands Of
dollars for . motor machine and who
want q speedway 70 use.
II anybody wants 10 stir up trouble.
let them conclude 70 try this tax on an
cid Georgia!