The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1913-01-11
WANTS TO MAKE
SMOKERS BUILD
FEDERAL ROADS
Congressman WarburtOn Intro
duces New Scheme Of Get
ting Good Highways
WOULD RESTORE INTER
NAL REVENUE TAX OF '7s
Proceeds Therefrom Would Be
Used for the Advance
ment of Cause

National roads az an exact form IN
which the government should PARTED.
pate In highways construction. IL a
belief which 10 becoming countrywide
In its acceptance. The latest PROPOSE.
ton brought forth along these lines il
by Representative Stanton Warburton
or washington state, who contends
for system OF National military
roads. Mr.. Warburton proposes to
make the tobacco users Of the coun-
try pay for the building OF these Ma
tional highways throagh the imposi-
ton OF tax 30 small that the smok-
ers Will go right oIvImoking as usual
without consciousness OF the great
benefit they are bestowing upon the
people OF this country.
The plan contemplates trunk lines
connecting the capitals Of every state
with the National capital, and with
each other, and also with the princi-
pal National parks, the government
to locate the lines between the capl-
revenue tax OF 1879 on tobacco and
with the states granting TO the gov
eminent the selected roadways, to.
gether with the improvements there
on.
In his announcement Congressman
Warburton says, II propose TO raise
the fund by restoring the internal
revenue tav of 1879 on tobacco and
set aside the additional income from
this source as O National Road Fund.
The additional tax SO provided would
amount to about $50, 100000 per year,
a little more than double the present
internal revenue tax on tobacco. IL
the proposed 15,000-mile road system
should cost $4,000 per mile, II would
be paid for in about four years, and in
about Ave years at cost Of $4,000
per mile.
I'm 1910, according TO the reports Of
the Internal Revenue Department, the
receipts from the tobacco tax we're
SOS, 100000 as opposed to S138, 1000, 900
had the law OF 1897 then been en-
forced. While the proposed increased
tax on tobacco might seem heavy. as
q matter OF fact 1t will not be noticed
by the consumer. For instance. II
would raise the tax on 10-cent cigar
three-tenths OF one cent, and the man
ufacturer OF that cigar would decrease
the weight OF the package one-thir-
tieth, and the consumer could not tell
the difference in size The manufac-
turer OF smoking tobacco would de
crease the size Of the package about
one-twelfth, and the consumer would
not know the difference. During the
war the tax on to-
bacoo was increased TO the amount OF
tax suggested, and I venture 70 say
not one consumer out Of a dozen ever
knew the tax was raised, and never
know when II was taken on. The pro-
posed raise In the tax will not AFFECT
the producer OF tobacco, for onehalf
OF our tobacco IL exported. England
imports one half OF her tobacco from
US; France one-half; Italy nearly all
OF hers. The price IL regulated by the
foreign market, much more than Is
the price OF wheat and corn, and Is
not affected by the tax"
Congressman Warburton will be iu-
cluded In the list OF speakers OF the
second Federal Aid convention called
by the American Automobile Asso-
citation, 10 take place In Washington,
March and 7, at The Raleigh, and
which bids fair TO be the most repre-
sentative gathering Of road enthusi-
asts ever gotten together. Sentiment
mas CTyblhillLou IhpiuIy bluOo ZIG NOh'
vention OF a year ago, with the result
that at the coming assembly definite
and important action may be expect
ed. The question IL big one. but
with the whole country Interested,
and with the attitude OF congress iav-
orable there Is no longer any question
that the federal government should
participate IN this great undertaking
Assurances from various members
Of congress are TO the effect that the
memorial 10 Abraham lincoln should
be in the form OF the projected Ma
tional highway from Washington to
Gettysburg. 1t Is generally recogniz-
ed that this highway would furnish
an excellent object lesson OF what
National participation In the building
OF good roads means, and will besides,
II constructed, At admirably into any
great system Of National highways
which IL certain to come In future
years.