Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-05-30
FEDERAL AID IN ROAD
WORK URGED BY A. A. A.
President John A. Wilson, in Annual
Report at Boston, Tells OF Pur-
-. poses of Organization.
RESOLUTIONS ARE CLEAR CUT
Freest Interstate Use OF Motor-Driven
and All Other Kinds of Vehicles
Believed In-B0nst See America
First" Move.

WASHINGTON, d C. May 29.-what
the American Automobn" Association
more concise language than that con-
tanned in the report Of President John
A. Wilson. who. At the recent annual
meeting in Boston was re-el>cted as
the head OF the national orEa nization Of
owners. Said Mr. Wilson in his annual
resume:
we believe in "a logical and com
prehensive Federal aid TO the several
States in their roads building; we be
lieve in the freest interstate use OF
motor driven and all other kinds OF We
hicles, as set forth in the Adamson
measure. we believe that the owner
OF an automobile should only he taxed
once for its possession. as evidenced by
our taking TO the United States supreme
Court the douhle-taXation question, and
We believe that il is function of gov
eminent for the United States to ad-
vertise its scenic and health attractions
to its own citizens. encouraging them
TO become acquainted with their Own
country. rather than going abroad
yearly because OF the existence of con-
nected road systems and attractions
which are inferior to what can be
found at home. We are an organization
Of citizens who seek nothing except
general good. and the king clear of
this particular point has been no easy
task. even though it be absolutely the
truth"
Among the resolutions adopted. the
most important had reference to roads
construction, roads travel and motor
vehicle taxation George G. Diehl, Of
Buffalo. chairman OF the good roads
board. presented resolution which
placed the American Automobile Asso-
citation on record and pledged Il ito
support any measure introduced in the
forthcoming Congress, which shall pre-
sent a logical plan for national co-ope-
ration with the several States. and
which plan, in our opinion. should in
clude the appropriation by Congress OF
an annual sum to he distributed among
the several States on the basis of popu-
lation, area and mileage, to be supple
mented by like amount of money
from the States and the total to be
expended upon whatever main market
and post roads the highway department
Of a State and the Secretary of ASri-
culture may decide"
The American Automobile Association
favors the establishment of Federal
Bureau OF Roads Travel" The Depart
ment Of the Interior was complimented
for Its progressive policy in the follow
ing resolution put forward by David G.
chairman of the American Automobile
Association touring board:
Resolved. That the Hon. Franklin K.
Lane. Secretary Of the Department of
the Interior, and his assistant. the Hon.
Stephen T. Mather. he especially com
mended and thanked in behalf Of this
association for their efforts in connec-
ton with the national parks to facilitate
their greater and enjoyment for
recreation and health purposes by thou
sands OF Americans who are more than
willing to see America first when
America is made ready to he seen.
Motor vehicle taxation came in for
a quite prolonged discussion. and 1t was
set forth that the automobile had be-
come "a common means of transporta-
ton, commercials and socially, and
enters into every progressive phase Of
human existence, and il should no
longer he considered a special means
OF travel A uniform plan OF taxation.
which should not he Of a double char
acter. was called for by the Amcri-
can Automobile Associa ton legislative
board, the new chairman Of which is
Richard II. Lee. president of the Ohio
State Automobile Association. who had
much TO do with the defeat Of double
taxation in that State.
Resolved That the American Auto
mobile Association. through its national
legislative board contend in the sew
-
courts OF the ILAed States for a uni
form method. of ~taXation which shall
recognize the fact that an automobile
should now he included in y general
property classification and taxed only
as personal property. and that no other
tax whatever shall he imposed. either
in connection with the vehicle or its
operation, except nominal recistra-
ton fee, covering only the clerical cost
Of the issuing Of an Identification mum
Der for the vehicle and its operator, in
order that the police powers OF the
States or municipalities may not be
impaired.
The vice presidents selected follow
first ce-prcs!dent DR. II NJ Rowe.
Maryland; second e-presidcnt. Ralph
W. Smith, Colorado; third vice presi-
dent. p. J. Walker, California; fourth
v!ce-president. X. J. Clark. Minnesota:
NTH vice7resident. Preston Kelvin. Vir
Einia John y Brooks. OF Connecticut.
continues as secretary: II \ Bonnell.
OF New Jersey, as treasure and \. c..
Eatchelder as chairman OF the cXccu-
tive board, on which every state lie rem
resented. Both Chairman GeorE. C.
Diehl. OF the good roads board and
Richard Kennerdell. OF the ron,es,
board, we're rearpointed by presiden,
Wilson
The annua! meeting in 1915 will take
place IN Washington. y. c. and NAV bo
accompanied by a quite extensive scenic
tour.