New-York tribune., 1918-07-11
Automobihng
Tax on Motor Cars Is Not
Likely to Upset Auto
mobile Owners
By c. E. T. Scharps


MOTORISTS Light Lamps To-day, 9:02 p. m.
Inc proposed tax on automobiles, as
outlined in the government announce
ment, is naturally of considerable in
tercst to motor car owners, present
and prospective. There is after all
little to disturb them in the pro-
gramme, except, of course, that the
expense of running a motor car is
added to. But it is to be expected
that things will cost more in war
times.
:, And if motorists in general had had
the opportunity which | had yester-
day of listening to q young New York
boy named Herbert North, Just back
from the trenches, where as a member
or the Canadian forces he was gassed
and shell shocked, as we'll as twice
wounded, they would consider the pay
ment of additional taxes to the govern
ment very slight thing to do in re-
turn for the privilege of being able to
live and conduct their lives in happi-
ness.
This boy was rejected by the United
States army because he was under
weight. The Canadians took him. He
r.
fcre he is back again, seemingly a
whole man, but a wreck as far as his
nervous system is concerned The
stories he told the members of the
W Motor Club yesterday make thoughts
ABOUT taxes seem very minor, indeed.
The lmpost Of 20 per cent on sales
OF cars and tires is not so terrifically
heavy after all, and in view of reduced
production of both will hardly operate
as check on sales. The motor car, it
mas peen SO often said, is complete
necessity of our daily life, and those
VINO want it are bound to have it. The
tax on gasolene will bring fuel up to
ABOUT Az cents a gallon. This is, Of
course. an expensive item in automo-
tliihg and VIII operate to insure the
survival of cars of low gasoene con-
sumption, and will tend to hasten the
JuhKlhg or the iron mountains of the
road which quaff gasolene ut the rate
OF a gallon every four miles or so.
lake motorist whose car averages
fllteen miles to gallon for 1900
mlies OF running in season, and he
WI! pay $50 year more for his fuel.
1t Is costing him little more than
taif cent mile over what he paid
IL taSless times. Surely, this is no
terrlflc hardship, the more so that the
uCll-
lty purposes.
Taxing doesn't kill the future of anv
country. In Canada, for instance.
there is tax on motor cars much
more severe than in this country. And
1T IS worth while noting that Canada
IS prosperous. indeed, these DAYS, and
Canadian banking institutions. for in
stance, are extending their services
and advertising their facilities in this
country as never before.
The only thing that hurts is the
government statement that the retail
"a e tax on any article is a sign if is
held officially to be luxury, and that
the government "ban" is on it, How
ever, along with automobiles the tax
schedules truck units and trailers. al,
though exempting motor trucks. Sure
- truck units and tralers are hardlv
luxurles." Later on this may be made
10 read more consistently
ana, anyway, let motorists remember
that they live and have their being in
a, land whore there is at least notSino
Ike what is being daily experienced IN
FRANCE. What they owe to. their coun-
try tor its protection cannot be meas-
ured IN any terms of dollars of taxa