Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-04-01
OPPOSE BILL FOR
TAXATION BY CITY
OF AUTOMOBILES
Delaware Association Members
Ask Legislators 60 Vote Against
Pending Bill.
LEVY ALREADY TOO HIGH

CITY taxation of automobiles, which is
the object of a bill introduced at this ses-
sionio of the Legislature. is being vigorous
ly opposed by the Delaware Automobile
Association. The tax on automobiles IN
this State is already from 20 to 90 per
cent higher than in other States. with two
exceptions for heavier commercial We
hicles. the association claims, and further
taxation rs provided in the bill would
constitute penalty upon ownership OF
automobiles and upon residence OF auto
mobile owners in Wilmington.
A circular letter has been sent to the
members Of the association, urging them
TO write to their representatives IN both
houses of the Legislature, and ask them TO
defeat the measure. AS a large part OF the
owners of the 5000 TO 1000 automobiles
in Wilmington are members OF the asso-
ciation. it is hoped that their protest will
have sufficient weight to prevent the Dill
from becoming law.
The bill in question is Senate biii NO. y.
II would authorize the City Council to
impose n tax by license upon automobiles
owned or operated in Wilmington. 1t is
understood that the tax would amount to
not less than S. upon each automobile,
making a further burden of from $50, 1000
10 $40 600 upon car owners of the city.
Charles G.. Guyer. secretary of the asso-
ciation, said today that Wilmington auto
mobile owners do not object To paving
their fair share of the expenses OF the city
government, and approve OF some measure
Of relief from the burden upon real estate,
hut do not believe that Senate bill. NO. y,
is an equitable means of doing this. He
called attention TO the fact that the asso-
citation supported the present State law
because Of an agreement that no further
tax should be imposed upon automobiles,
and maintained that this agreement should
be respected by the present Legislature.
The phrase cor operated IN the law,
Mr.. Guyer contends, authorizes the Coun-
ell to tax automobiles the moment they
enter the city, even though they are
licensed IN other States. Ihls, he points
ont nulllfcs the existing reciprocity
agreement by which cars of other States
operating in Delaware are not taxed, IN
consideration Of freedom from taxation OF
Delaware cars by other States IN which
thcv operate. II the city taxes cars from
other States. Mr.. Guyer declares. these
States will respond by taxing Delaware
cars. which would add still more to the
already heavy tax burden of automobile
owners.
The letter sent by the ASSOCIATION TO its
members is rs follows
Dear Sir. 4 bill has been offered in the
Senate of the Delaware Legislature
Cknown as Senate bill No. % 10 increase
the taxing powers of the city of Whining
ton and embodied therein is the power TO
tax automobiles owned by the residents of
the city Of Wilmington, the rate OF such
taxation 20 be discretionary with the
City Council.
I'm view Of the fact that motor vehicles
in this State are now taxed Through
hcense) on a weight basis at much high
er rate than is imposed by other States
and. that an additional tax OF at least 50
per machine is anticipated being levied by
the citv authorities, If the above referred
TO bill becomes a law, we would earnestly
request in view of such possible unjust
taxation. that YOU either see personally or
address a communication To one or more
REPRESENTATIVES. in the Senate and House,
urging that the bill be so amended as to
exempt the further taxing of motor We
hiclos. and that you solicit similar action
on the part of every motor vehicle owner
in this State.
"In addition to the question of unjust
taxation the passage OF this bill, IN ITS
present form, viii mean that every motor
vehicle owner in the State of Delaware,
before entering any other State, will be
compelled TO take out license for such
other State, as the present open door
reciprocity will be at an end.
AT the time of the passage of the law
imposing the present State license on
motor vehicles il was understood and
agreed by and between the representatives
OF the then Legislature, that In considera-
tion Of the high rate charged and the uses
to which the revenue derived therefrom
was to be devoted, l. e. the construction
and maintenance of improved roads, no
other or further tax should be imposed
upon motor vehicles either by the State
or any of its cities or towns.
"As the Legislature will be In session
but a very short time it is important that
you act promptly in this matter.
You will find enclosed a list of the
members Of the Senate and House.
yours very truly,
Delaware Automobile Association.