New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-03-09
FIGHT TO DEFEAT BILLS
Anti-MotOr Car Measures 0p-
posed from Many Sides.
TAX UNJUST. SAYS LAWYER
Declares Highway Upkeep, Like
Other Public Utilities, Should
Be Shared by All.

Reports received at the office of the
Automobile Dealers Association Indicate
| that there will be large gathering of
motorists at Albany next THURSDAY. when
there will be a hearing before the Internal
Affairs Committee of both the Senate and
the Assembly on the proposed automobile
bills AT every gathering of local motor
lists the bills are the chief topic of dis
cussion. Evidence is produced each DAY
showing that the business community is
practically unit in opposition to the
proposed measures The legal side of the
matter is also receiving considerable ct
tention. At recent discussion at one
OF the downtown clubs a prominent men,
Der of the bar expressed his views a.
/ follows:
! Ever since the signing of the Decla-
ration OF independence the highways have
heen free To all users. and no distinction
mas been made between users. or a tax
| imposed on one class which was not I'M
/ posed upon all others The idea that one
portion of the community should hear
a greater expense for the maintenance
Of roads than another portion Is entirely
a new one
| IF we carry this idea TO its logical CON
| clusion We should have the expense Of
maintaining the Fire Department appor-
toned among those who have fires in
proportion TO the number of fires which
! each may suffer during any year. Sim
/ Harry the expense Of supporting the Po-
lice Department should be divided among
those whose houses are robbed The ex-
pcnse of supporting the schools should he
divided among the families in direct pro-
portion TO the number of children in each
family.
When this idea IS thoroughly carried
| out and the principle established that the
users Of each public utility are the only
ones who pay for that particular UTILITY.
then the owners of automobiles can 10
longer object 10 being taxed for the espe-
,cial benefit of the upkeep Of the high
ways. Until that time has come the auto
mobilists may well contend, and undoubt-
eddy the highest courts will sustain then.
that any fee over and beyond the expense
of maintaining a bureau for the license
numbers which will identify the various
cars is unjust and contrary to the spirit
OF the constitution"
That the business men and motor truck
manufacturers and dealers realize the
danger of the bills is evidenced by the
widespread interest being taken TO fight
them. Owners of motor trucks are par
ticularly aroused, because in the trans
portation of their business the increased
tax on motor trucks would necesSitate
great deal Of expense and might add
eventually to the high cost Of living. one
of the largest employers OF labor in New
York City, who owns a feet Of motor
trucks. made this comment few days
ago:
Recently I noted that Mitchell May
the new Secretary OF State. expressed
himself as being DESTROYS Of helping not
only the automobile industry but the
many thousands Of people who as mat
ter OF necessity avail themselves Of the
motor car as a means Of conveyance |
was therefore very much surprised TO find
that he should advocate tax measure
which would very materially increase the
taxation on owners Of motor trucks. The
members OF the large commercial Or
ganization TO which ] belong have dis
cussed this matter among themselves,
and we are all agreed that the proposed