The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1914-09-28
MOTOR CAR OWNERS
ASK FOR WHEEL TAX

Committee Reports Resolution at
Meeting Of American Auto
mobile Association
A million and half Of automobile
owners are becoming quite generally
agreed that road users should not be
divided into taxed and untaxed
classes. Through its executive Loard,
on which every state ls represented.
the American Automobile association,
at the September session, renewed
consideration Of the subject, taking
action that leaves no doubt a. to Its
position.
In the adopted report Of q special
cor1mittee named at the sen.iannual
meeting OF the entire association,
Chairman III. A. Bonnell sets forth
that In only four states II II pos
sible to make the registration tax In
lieu Of the personal tax. The asso-
citation remains opposed to the pay
ment OF the two taxes, designated as
"a constitutional infringement, OF the
principles Of equal taxation and the
rights Of the citizens of state who
own automobiles"
Referring TO the general tendency
to increase both the registration tax
and automobile values when taxed az
personal property, the committee CON
flutes the assumption that any double
tax 10 justified because OF s.rcalled
excessive destruction OF the roads,
which II asserts Is not borne out by
the actual facts; and, furthermore,
IT IL held that automobiles have an
equal right with all other vehicles to
the free use of the public highways,
built and maintained by general taxa
ton.
The proposal by congress to add IN
additional excise tar for purposes
OF revenue il claimed to be .unjus-
titled and unfair. and would be spe-
cies OF special taxation upon Q means
or transportation which has become
OF such common use that Il would be
burdensome and detrimental to the
interests OF the people ut large"
Calling attention to the presence
or other vehicles which share In the
wearing out OF the public highways,
the committee concludes with the fol-
lowing resolution:
Resolved. That while maintaining
as q matter OF principle and OF right
and justice Its position against the
double taxation Of automobiles, the
American Automobile association rec.
ommends the passage OF an act by
the legislatures OF the several states,
placing wheel tax on all vehicles
that use the public highways, such
tar to be In proportion to the pres
ent fees paid by the owners or mo-
tor-driven vehicles. The association
agrees to use Its efforts through state
and local clubs, and among automo-
bile owners generally throughout the
United States, to continuously and
|persistently urge this legislation, and
also such other necessary legislation
until all licence fees In excess OF the
cost Of automobiles shall be abolish
ed"
President John A. Wilson presided
at the A. A. A. meeting, and he Will
head q special delegation which will
represent the association at the Amer.
lean road congress-, to be held In At.
lanta, Ca, during the week Of No
|vember 8. This delegation will in
clude former Presidents Robert p.
Hooper Of Pennsyivania and L. r.
Speare OF Massachusetts,; First vice
President H. M. Rowe Of Maryland,
and Chairman George G. Diehl OF the
National Good Roads Board.
Convict road work II developing
IN New Jersey. In spite of faulty leg
isiation and the opposition Of those
who hold to the old method OF en-
ploying prisoners under contract.
In 1911 q bill based on material
supplied by the national committee
on prison labor was passed by the
state Legislature and signed by Wood
row Wilson, governor at that time.
This bill prohibited the sale on the
open market Of the products OF con.
vict labor after the expiration OF az
listing contracts and provided for tn.
installation Of the state use system
of prison industries. Unfortunately
the bill in It's Anal form contained
no appropriation for the organization
of the new system. and the ofIicials
made little effort to prepare for the
cessation OF the contracts, except 1T
the state reformatory. where Super
intendent Moore stopped all contracts
and found means to employ the In.
mates without waiting for action by
the Legislature.
The national committee on prisons
and prison labor realized that this
state must be the scene OF q bitter
struggle on the part OF the prison
contractors az soon as the contracts
expired. The committee, therefore,
was active In 1919 In pushing legjs-
latfon which provided that the state
commissioner Of public roads might
make application to the state prison
labor commission for such convicts AZ
could with advantage be worked on
the roads.
State Highway Commissioner stew.
ems favored this method OF employ
Ing prisoners, and has at the present
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