The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1910-08-02
COMMUNICATIONS.
July 28th, 1910.

"a FmOSO 6ACSlleuU eulUUTIdl Oh OuT
automobile law which appeared in the
Newark Evening News y OF the 26th
inst reminds me of the condition of
our county roads and the question of
keeping them in repair, which is be-
coming serious.
The wear and tear due to automo-
biles is very destructive, especially on
the hills where the labor of forcing the
the heavy machines up the activity
involves friction which fairly tears the
surface. The county incurred large
indebtedness few years ago in grad
ing and metalling several of our roads,
and in addition several were so i'm
proved by the neighborhood with the
aid of the state. This work proved
decidedly beneficial to the community
generally including the farmers. But
since the era of the automobile these
metal roads have been substantially
destroyed, and in many instances the
new coverings have quickly gone.
The expense of all this shows plainly
in our tax bills The foundation
theory of tax law is that taxation
should be equal. Perfection in that
respect is impossible, but we should
and do strive to attain it, Hence a
special tax is laid on automobiles. But
it is manifest that it is proving to be
quite insufficient for the purpose and
must be increased Sensible and con-
scientious owners of automobiles
frankly admit this.
just here comes in the question of
freedom to auto owners in our neigh
boring states to use our roads without
taxation. Those persons interested in
the manufacture of autos and those
persons interested in entertaining
travellers using them advocate free
dom to them. / know of no other
class in our community who desire
such freedom. Those of our citizens
who use our roads for ordinary pur-
poses certainly do not. We have al
ready enough in number owned by our
own citizens to render the ordinary
travel on our roads not only uncom-
Portable but dangerous. 1t is urged
that interstate comity requires this of
us. But consider how we are situate
between two great cities and the inn
mense population that surrounds them
in our neighboring states of New York
and Pennsylvania. and think of the
much greater number of motor ve-
hicles from our two neighbors who
would seek to use our roads than those
from our state who would seek to nse
the roads Of our neighbors. The adj
vantage is greatly against US, and like
Mr.. Weller's brandy and water it is
"unekal. -
/ am unable to understand why
gentleman from New York or Penn
sylyania who wishes and feels pecu-
niarily able to take an auto tour
through our state should be unwilling
to pay for the privilege enough to
make up for the wear and tear he in
flicts on our roads. And / feel under
obligation TO the members of our legis-
latufe who who last winter defeated
an effort to extend our hospitality in
that respect.
Yours &C.,
III. G. PITNEY.
AS an Italian resident of Morris
town, am grateful to the society
that placed such an excellent institu-
tion at the disposal OF the children of
my people, and that the playground in
Flagler street has been placed in such
capable hands.
Itind that the children are becoming
cleaner in appearance and that their
pleasure is conditional on their good
behavior. The neighborhood is also i'm
proved and incidently the property in
creased in value because of the destruc-
tion which had heretofore been car
ried on by the boys out of sheer want
onness. This has stopped and windows
and gardens are no longer destroyed.
believe that all of the Italians
should show their appreciation by con-
tributing to this splendid cause.
Yours respectfully,
I,OTTTg MARfNARn