Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1920-12-10
PROPOSE CHANGING
MOTOR LICENSE FEE
SECRETARY HINKLE REPORTS
NATIONAL CONVENTION
RECOMMENDATIONS
AZ STATES PLAN HIGHWAYS
Minnesota Leads List With ApprO-
priation Of $2OO, 900, 900 on
1000 Miles.

j. GranC Hlnkle, secretary Oh State
returned yesterday from Chicago,
whtsx he has been for two weeks
attending the National Convention Of
secretaries of state. Among the many
plans which were discussed by the
members the prevailing idea that
was developed in the convention into
two propositions which especially
commended themselves by reason of
their easy working BY law and the
inexpensive caring of license fees
were.
First the recommendation of a fiat
license fee on all motor vehicles us ng
gas or power.
Second. q sales tax on all gasoline
as an equitable adjustment of the
use and damage on roads by high
powered pleasure cars and heavy
trucks. The states already using
this plan report that once each month
they receive a check from Standard
al company, Union Oil company,
Shell Gas company and all gas agen-
Z Giles for the amount Of the tax and
\ tle state b not out cent for the
3 collection Of the revenue.
Y There is q question in some states
as to whether or not this tax could
be collected under their present con-
stitution. Secretary of State Hin
kle estimates on a rough basis that
the State of Washington would re-
ceive practically $1.000.000 per year
in this manner from the sale Of gas
and the greater portion of the amount
would come from the tourist travel
in the summer.
Under the present law tourists who
travel through the state pay nothing
towards the upkeep Of the roads. In
California where hundreds of thous-
ands Of tourists drive through each
year, wearing out the roads and con-
tributing to their depreciation.
Under the law as brought before
the national convention at Chicago.
these tourists along with all auto
mobile owners in the state would pay
a tax on their gasoline when making
the purchase. which would be paid
to the state by the gasoline COM
panies.
Secretary Of State Hinkle, declared
himself enthusiastic over the new
law which he believes could be of the
greatest value to the state of Wash
ington.
The matter of changes in auto
laws was the paramount feature of
s the convention according to Mr.. Hin
kle. The motor vehicle law being
the chief topic Of discussion owing
to the close connection of the law
with the road building to be paid
from the revenue derived from auto
license fees in all states.
~ Some states recognizing this dove
failing of interests have already
placed the administering Of auto laws
and collection of license fees in the
hands Of the State Highway Com.
missioners. The states employing
this method are Texas, Oklahoma and
Florida.
1.-THE big things before the ~
legislatures out of the entire 48 in
the United States which meet during
the month of January 1921 is road
building, declares Mr.. Hinkle. Bond
issues were passed in many states al
the last election. Minnesota led the
list. voting total Of $200.000.00o
for roads, to cover q distance OF
seven thousand miles. These roads
will connect with every county and
run through the entire state.
Mr.. Hinkle was accompanied or
his trip East by L. D. Conrad head
of the motor vehicle division of the
Secretary of States department. Or
their return from the convention they
visited the state capitols at Lansing
Michigan: indianapolis. Indiana;
\ Springfield. Illinois; Jefferson. Mo-;
: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma: Austin