The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-10-11
TAX ON MOTOR VEHICLES
UNJUST, SAYS MR.. WlLlYS
prcsidcnt of the Overland Company
Says Proposed Tax Makes Autos
Bear the burden.

The imposition OF tax OH motor
vehicles, proposed by the Senate as a
substitute for the gasolene tax measure
recently suggested by tho finance sub
committee. Is manifcstly unjust and
burdonsomc for the motor car manu-
facturcr. in the opinion of John ~
WHY'S, president of the WHY'S Over
land Company and the second largest
manufacturer of automobiles in the
world
Mr.. WHY'S points out that his OBJ
jections to the measure are not in
spired by political Affiliations or >the
mere fact that its enactment would
mean Il reduction of his companys
railroad rate case was under discus
sion, he openly declared his belief in
the justice CT the Increase, I'm spite
of the fact that IT directly involved
the expenditure of Il much larger sum
for shipping the product of his COM
pany.
Tho measure proposing a tax of 80
cents per horsepower on automobiles.
to be paid by the manufacturers. has
the appearance of Il direct attempt on
facturers for the privilege of main
tanning a progressive American in
dustry," declares Mr.. WHY'S. 1T is
singing out one industry and requr
ing il to bear the brunt of a situa
ton which is not, in any way, Of its
making.
The automobile manufacturers have
no objections to doing their legitimate
share towards raising the 800. 100000
which the Senate declares the European
war has made necessary. But ] am at
loss to understand what there is
about motor vehicle that justitics this
prodigious penalty imposed upon it's
builders.
IF tho senate committee is under the
impression that the automobile manu-
n n IN f,f t.INft
mally large, it is laboring, under Il
misrepresentation. \ very pcrcursory
review of the industry will show that
during tho past few years, motor car
prices have been reduced materially.
while at the same time. car quality
and convenience have been greatly i'm
proved at no small expense to the man
ufacturer. If such an extreme measure
were passed IL would mean the loss Of
large percentage of very reason
able profit.
Moreover. the automobile manufac-
turcr would be suffering a double taxa
ton on his earnings. He already in
forced TO pay a corporation tax for
conducting his business. In addition to
that he also pays an income tax OH tho
money he makes from his business The
imposition of further taxes, under these
conditions, does not seem reasonable
IF the Senate is intent upon ievying
Il toll on the promulgators OF luxury
why does IT tax the automobile manu-
iacturer? Why designate the automo-
bile as Il luxury and overlook the piano.
the monograph, >the camera. iewelry.
steam yachts. motorboats, saddle hors-
rs, watches. the theatre, and Il thousand
and one different things which add TO
the enjoyment We get out of life, but
without which we could live?
"A few years ago the telephone cleo
trio lights and many other convcniences
which have rendered simple and easy
the common tasks Of everyday life, were
considered the height OF luxury. To-
day Il home without them is almost as
rare and as inconvenient as n suit with
out buttons. The Senate would not
consider imposing Il tax on them.
The motor car furnishes a case
which is the exact parallel. 1t Is not "A
luxury. II is an absolute necessity to
hundreds of thousands OF users. The
doctors. the merchant. and men in all
walks of professional and business life
do not consider their cars as luXuries
They have invested their money In au-
tomobles for the benefits that will ac-
crue in the ownership of a car. If they
did not get a good return on their In.
vestment they would put their money