The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-06-04
ASK RECIPROCITY
IN LICENSE TAGS
Virginia and District of Columbia
May Recognize the Others
Permits.
GOVERNOR GETS PETITION
Wide Discrepancy i'll Amount of
Tax Is Liable to Prevent
Arrangement.
GOVERNOR GETS PETITION

Reciprocity tn automobile licenses
between Virginia and the District of
Columbia is proposed In petitions now
before Governor Mann from Common
wealth's Attorney Thomas Lion, OF
Prince William County, and Vernon
Ford, of Fairfax County. The officials
urge the Governor to establish rec!p-
rocal relations between this state and
the District OF Columbia in the issu-
ance OF automobile licenses. as many
people living in Washington have
country places on the Virginia side OF
the Potomac, and desire to motor to
and from their Offices The Governor
mas taken no action as yet on the petit
ton. The matter Is said to have been
suggested by commemorative Attor-
ney Crandal Mackay. OF Alexandria
County, who has also written the Gov
ernor. Commissioner Rudolph. of tho
District OF Columbia. favors the recip-
rocal plan; and has indicated to the
officials that the District Will meet
Virginia half way
Some Legal Difficulties.
Although the Governor has taken
no action. 1T was pointed out yesterday
NJ the Office of the Secretary OF the
Commonwealth, where automobile IL
censes are issued for this State. that
there were legal and practical objoc.
tohs III the way of such an arrange
ment Section 10 OF the automobile
act oil 1910 gives the Governor tho
right to make reciprocal arrange
ments for recognition OF automobile
licenses with other States for not
more than two periods in the year Of
seven days each. this being intended
Tor the accommodation OF tourist par
ties merely passing through the State
or OF NirSin!ans touring in other
states. Nothing in the act seems to
give the Governor authority 10 make
general reciprocity agreement as
to licenses as desired by the Washing
ton and Alexandria authorities. and
the belief. was expressed that It could
only be done by an act OF the General
Assembly amending the present auto
mobile law
Wide Discrepancy I'm Ink
A practical objection to such a plan
lies in the wide discrepancy in lie
ensc tax. In Washington a license tag
costs 81 and may be used perpetually.
In Virginia the State automobile tax
varies from So TO $50. according to the
size and power OF the car. and Is an
annual tax. the money going to the
Improvement OF public roads. Were
a reciprocity arrangement effected
with this wide discrepancy in the tax.
Virginia people living over the north
ern part OF the state might take out
their license in Washington. and so
escape their annual contribution to the
state good roads fund in Virginia.
Nor does the law give any latitude
to the Governor In eXemptinE cars from
the Virginia tax. Some time ago the
question arose as to whether the White
House cars used by President Taft
were subject to taxation every time
they came on Virginia soil. II was
found that they required a Virginia
license. and Governor Mann thereupon
ordered the proper license tags for
warded to the White House. having
TIL" annual tax charged TO the Cover
nor's contingent fund. More recently
n question has been raised whether the
cars OF foreign ambassadors living in
Washington. who by treaty are exempt
fiom taxation in this country must
pay an automobile license IL they would
cross the Potomac in the course OF an
afternoon motor ride. Whether gen
eral reciprocity is arranged or not, it
is possible that the next General As
Sembly may be asked to so amend the
act as 10 extend the Inequalities OF
Virginia soil TO the President OF the
United States and to the official rep
rescntatives OF foreign governments
located at Washington. a general
reciprocity. il was suggested, might be
arranged with such States as had prac-
tically the same automobile license tax
az is imposed in Virginia.