Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-02-14
AUTO TAGS ISSUED FREE
TO FOREIGN DIPLOMATS
Maryland Governor Extends
Courtesy at the Sugges-
. ton of Secretary Knox.

Members of the diplomatic corps and
high officials of the federal government
will be granted free licenss for their auto
mobiles in Maryland, according to in
formation received in Washington today
Gov. Crothers of Maryland, it is said,
after a conference with the states at
torney general, decided that Secretary
Knox was right in his contention that
courtesy called for exemption Of foreign
ambassadors and diplomats from paying
license fees for their automobiles travers-
ing the roads of Maryland.
Motor Vehicle Commissioner George of
Maryland declared not long ago that I'M
der the state law no one could operate
an automobile in Maryland without pay
ing a licensse. The decision of Gov
Crothers. however, has changed all this
and the licenses will be forwarded, it is
expected, by Commissioner George to Le-
roy Mark, representative of the COM
missioner in Washington Another agent
Will see that they are delivered.
Not Officially Notified.
Mr.. Mark said today that he had re-
ceived no notification yet of the decision
of the governor in regard to the licenses.
Over the long-distance telephone
employees of the office of Commissioner
George said that no official notification
of the governors decision had been re-
ceived there.
Secretary of State Knox recently ad-
dressed letter to Gov. Crothers ask
ing him to lend his influence to the
granting of free automobile licenses to
all foreign diplomats.
Mr.. knoX's communication grew out
OF the declination of John Z, George,
state motor vehicle commissioner, to COM
ply with the request OF Baron Hengel-
muller, the Austro-H Hungarian minister in
Washington. to issue a free license for
his automobile. Mr.. George, acting I'M
der the Maryland law, which provides no
exemptions. said that it would cost Baron
Hengelmuller SIS per annum to travel
over Maryland public roads. The baron
referred the question to Secretary Knox
Hence the Secretary's letter to the eXecu-
tive of the state.
Exemption Of Diplomats.
Secretary Knox took the position that
of foreign governments
are exempt from the payment of taxes in
any form. He quoted numerous authori-
ties to sustain his position. Continuing
the Secretary said:
1T would seem that the diplomatic rep
Of foreign governments |
should be exempted from the payment !
of this automobile license) fee under /
generally accepted principles of interna- |!
tional law. On this point l have the |
honor to invite your attention to the fol-
lowing excerpts from international law |
writer's:
1.-The INDEPENDENCE Of the Ambassador
exempts hum. indeed. from every personal |
imposition. capitation or other duty of |
that nature. and, in general, from every |
tax relating to the character of SUBJ
iect of the state wallets Law of Ma
tions).
Since the minister entered the country
on the footing Of independence he could |
not have 1t IN contemplation to subject |
his retinue, his baggage or his necessaries
10 the jurisdiction of the country Every |
thing, therefore. which directly belongs |
TO mis- person in the character of q public !
everything which is intended for