The Washington herald., 1912-03-28
FUNDS ARB ASKED
FOR AUTO FIGHT
Le Roy Mark Issues Call to Motor
lists to Contest the
Wheel Tax.

Washington automobile owners have
warrants for the arrest OF twenty-five
Of their number for the nenpayment of
the wheel tar.
lie Roy Mark, who has fought the
wheel tax single handed in the past, has
been Joined by several auto owners and
three OF washington's prominent attor-
neys to attack the issue on an entirely
different basis than IN the past. Mr..
Mark. who bore the expenses Of the test
cases In the past. and who courted ar
rest, carrying the case through sew
'eral of the lower courts. when seen by
a Herald representative yesterday said:
About one month ago called upon one
Of our foremost lawyers. who does not
want his name revealed until he is d.
rectly copnected with the case, who In
formed ME, after careful consideration.
that several technicalities in the laws Of
the District would enable the motorists
to defeat the wheel tax. thereby saving
several thousands OF dollars annually
for the auto owners
"It appears 10 me that we have an ex-
cellent chance to win, but we cannot fight
without money. To unable us TO secure
a sufficient fund for this purpose. we
are mailing 5000 letters TO Washington
automobile owners, requesting a small
donation toward tho cause II each one
Of the local enthusiasts will respond to
our appeal for aid we VIII have enough
almost TO assure success. Hundreds OF
motorists have requested that the case
be taken tosa higher court. With 4 large
enough fund, this win be possible: con-
testing the law on a different basis. In
the meantime. effort will be made 20
secure automobile legislation that will
not be unfavorable."
Much Money Received.
Mr.. Mark stated that q number of
contributions have been received in
various sums up to SIS. and that any
amount Is acceptable, but Il Is essen
tial to success that all come forward
with something. The winning of the
case win mean a big saving to every
auto owner. II the case is not fought.
three years taxes will be collected.
dating from May Is. 1910. Every per-
son donating TO the fund, II arrested.
will be defended without further cost
to himself.
II the money received through this
appeal Is not suficient. the case will
be dropped and the wheel tax will be
enforced every year. In event of the
fund being oyer-subscribed. the re-
naming amount will be used In plac-
ing sign-posts along Washington roads.
The wheel tax law passed by Con-
gress May Is, 1910. provides the fol-
lowing schedule of annual taxation:
Runabout, two persons. 50: three per
sons, S. Touring car, five persons. s.;
seven persons, s. Delivery trucks. g.
In addition to the above, there Is a fee
of s. for the license number. 81 for a
1river's permit, and a personal tax OF IL
per cent on 50 per cent OF the valuation
of the car. This, Mr.. Mark contends,
would make an annual tax OF $40 on a
8. 900 car, and none Of the money collected
3 spent on road building or In any man
her that will benefit the motorist In
Maryland the same car would be taxed
ess than half that amount and practi-
ALLY all OF 1t used TO improve Maryland
roads.
When the case was first presented to
he Court OF Appeals. decision was re-
fused on the ground that II was inopera-
i've because Of the fact that no penalty
was attached for nonpayment. At the
session of Congress following this ruling,
he wheel tax law was attached to the
general license bill of the District OF CO.
umbia.
A generous response to the appeal for
lid is anticipated, and In his letter Mr..
Mark urges all intending to contribute
lot to delay doing so. Several OF the
Iutoists served with warrants will be de-
ended in court to-day by Mr.. Marks at
orneys-