The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1913-07-16
AUTO TAX WAR
SOON IS To END
Commissioners Rescind Or
ders Discriminating
Against Motorists.
HARMONY MOVE MADE
Withdrawal Of Local License Regula.
lion Expected 10 Result h
Better Feeling.

In an effort to end the long automo.
Ollie license war waged between the Dis
trict Of Columbia. Maryland, and vir-
ginia, the District Commissioners yester-
day, following conference with a num-
Der of prominent local motorists, de-
cided to rescind the order adopted by
them last January compelling automobile
owners from States who use the District
roads, to pay the same amounts for
licenses that are assessed against motor
lists of the National Capitol. who entered
those commonwealth. Formal orders to
this effect will be issued today and i'm
mediately will be operative.
While the original object Of the regu-
lation was to establish reciprocity in
automobile license fees, the Commission
efs have been convinced that II worked
q hardship upon the motorists OF Mary
land and Virginia, and, therefore, be-
heve 1t should be annulled. At the time
Of its adoption in January last. it was
no secret that the regulation was d.
rected principally against Maryland
which has steadily refused to enter into
reciprocal arrangements with the Dis
trtct regarding automobile licenses.
Annual Tax Higher.
Since the regulation became effective,
February 16, all residents of Maryland,
who have applied for a District license,
have been compelled to pay an annual
tax of from IS to $50 according to the
horsepower Of their machines. The same
regulation effected Virginia automobile
owners At the time Of the adoption of
the regulation 1t was believed the Dis
trict Golfers would be enriched more than
$4,000 annually, but only S2,fs05s was
collected during the time it was In oper-
alton 1t was learned yesterday that the
District Commissioners are seriously
considering returning to Maryland and
Virginia residents the fees collected
under this regulation. Commissioner
Rudolph has the matter in charge, and
Is making an investigation with that
End in view.
1t is the belief of a number of local
motorists that the return to the former
license arrangements. under which a per-
petuAl District license may be obtained
upon the payment Of g, will result in the
restoration Of harmony between the Dis
trict. Maryland and Virginia, and put an
end to the discriminatory practices which
is alleged to have been exercised by the
authorities of these States against wash
fngton car owners.
The Commissioners, it is understood,
were actuated in resembling the regula-
ton because of assurances they have
received from Maryland and Virginia
motorists that they will use their in-I
fuence with their respective legislaturesi
In obtaining the passage of a law which |
will not impose a burden on local mo-
florists
The strife between the District, Mary
land and Virginia. has been long drawn
out. The regulation was adopted last |
January in hopes that II might put an |
end to alleged determinations of Mary
land authorities who arrested washing-
ton motorists on the slightest pretext
The frequent arrests Of Washington mo-
florists for alleged trivial offenses led to
widespread indignation among them and
they demanded that some retalitatory
measures be adopted by the local au-
thoritios
Virginia Governor Declined.
The Commissioners have. on several
occasions. made overtures to the execu-
tive heads Of both States in favor of
the establishment of reciprocal regula-
tons in the matter OF the issuance of
automobile licenses, but without success.
The District heads only recently ad-
dressed letters to Gov. Mann of Virginia
and Gov Goldsborough of Maryland. In
a reply from Gov. Mann he declined to
enter into reciprocal agreement on the
grounds that about $1,000 automobiles
from the District annually enter Vir-
ginia, whereas the number entering the
District from Virginia is comparatively
small, and that it was considered that
the District autoists should contributed .
towards the upkeep OF the State roads.
Gov. Goldsborough did not reply to the
etter of the Commissioners addressed
him.
The Commissioners believe that the
,itizens of both States will appreciated !
he withdrawal of the local license reeu-
alton, which il is claimed has worked {
| hardship upon them. and will use their l
'est efforts in obtaining legislation which !
viii be more favorable to District motor :