Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-11-17

Pennsylvania and Delaware entered in,a
n tariff war today when the Pennsylvanja
state Highway Commissioner answered tbe
Delaware law which reuuirea CommercIn1
motor trucks of this State to obtain Della.
ware licenses before crossing the State llns
Heretofore Delaware commercial motor
trucks have been privileged to deliver Della.
ware goods in Pennsylvania without having
Pennsylvania automobile licenses, while
Pennsylvania concerns delivering goods IN
Delaware were required to pay for Della
ware licenses or be fined $25 every time
a truck crossed the State line
After endeavoring for more than a year
and Il half TO bring about the repeal Of the
Delaware law or a multiplying amendment
action was taken by Pennsylvania today
Notices were sent out by tho automobile
division of tho State Highway Department
to the authorities in all towns along the
State boundary line that all Delaware COM
mercia vehicles found in Pennsylvania
must be stopped and their drivers notified
that Pennsylvania registration must be OBJ
tanned. The police OF Philadelphia also re-
ceived the notice.
CALLED "FOOLIsH Law"
The action taken today by state High.
way Commissioner Black was a move which
the Motor Truck Association of Philadel-
pha had about persuaded the late State
Highway Commissioner Cunningham to
take
THUS to fight back" said w. II. Met
calf. secretary of the Motor Truck Asso
citation. ''is the best way to bring about
reciprocity between the two states, because
Delaware licenses cost only IS while from
$l5 to $35 license, according TO the weight
of the truck. will have to be paid by Della
ware concerns that want TO operate their
delivery trucks In Pennsylvania a4
hoe los
that truck belonging to an individual
can come into Delaware without n Della
ware license, but a truck belonging to 4
corporation or partnership cannot 1t works
out in such a way, for instance, that John
Wanamaker delivers goods in WimingteA
in unlicensed trucks while Strawbrdga 3
Clothler must have Delaware licenses on
all theirs. 1t regards John Wanamaker as
an individual. That was brought out when
on one side of Pennsylvania avenue In
Wilmington not long ago n Wanamaker
truck had backed up on one side OF the
avenue to deliver goods while Strawbrldge
Clother's truck was on the other side.
policeman arrested the driver OF the Straw
bridge Clothier truck because there was
no license on the truck and the firm was
fined $25, while John Wanamaker still de.
livers goods there without Delaware H.
censes."
FAILED TO ACT
The Motortruck Association of Phllsdel-
phia has been in the controversy through.
out, said Secretary Metcalf A tact agree
ment was in effect between Philadelphia
and Wilmington for a WHILE by which the
law was dsregarded, he said, but the agree
ment was broken when a wilmington po-
llceman insisted on making the law stick.
The association was assured by former
Governor Miller of Delaware. and by the
president of the Delaware Automobile As
many months ago. said Mr. Met
calf. that the Delaware law would be
Strengthened out, but for some reason noth.f
ing has been done. 1 suppose the action
of the State Highway Commissioner is the
result"
The effect of the ruling will be far reach-
ing, because It not only to those
vehic aged In continuous
interstate cOmmer ,8ar also to commercial
vehicles making only occasional trips.