Arizona republican., 1921-03-27
FORM TRUCK
 LAW |S NEEDED
By FRANK F. RoSEN In Philadelphia Public Ledger

Motor t1-Icl< transportation today un- doubtedly is the most economlcal means of shipping merchandise or every description, and yet 1t has not reached the high water marx or us development Withal, various states are attempting to hinder the progress of the motor truck in the commercial world with unfair regulations and un- just registration fees.
 At present there is no uniform law governing motor trucks. Each state has its own regulations, some ot whlch are very unreasonable Hence the need for a uniform law. To accomp- fish this end and make the vehicle the cheapest and most efficient transpor- tation agency a proposed federal law was drafted some time ago by men representing the interests of highway transport. This act is now being urged for adoption in the various states py the National Automobile chamber ot commerce.
 There are manufacturers and truck transport companies in Philadeiphla operating motor trucks between this city, New York, Boston, Wilmington and Baltimore. Trucks from this city go through six states to the Hub city and through three states to Baltimore. In each commonwealth the truck driver is confronted with a different traffic law and the capacity loads permitted on roads and bridges are different. Fon instance, in Pennsylvania no truck of more than thirteen tons gross weight is permitted on the highways.
 In another state the total weight Of loaded truck is perhaps more, or prob ably less. Thus if truck driver leaves Philadelphia with a 26,000 pound load shipment for Baltimore he is liable to arrest for violating the traffic regula- tions before he reaches his destination.
 The speed laws and rules of the road are so varied and diverse that the driver is always running risk of getting into trouble.
 In the proposed uniform vehicle law provisions are included to regulate all of the foregoing with penalties for vio- lation. When a truck operator becomes acquainted with the traffic laws of his own state he will know that the regu- Iations in other states through which he travels are the same.
 As to taxes Those which prevail at present are considered excessive in many states. in fact to such an extent that the ultimate consumer of com modity must pay an added price in order that the producer does not lose money on his product because of the rigorous license fee.
 There will be introduced in the Penn 1 sylvania legislature fifty cents per | horsepower tax bill in addition to the present levy placed on motor trucks This extra tax also includes pleasure cars If such bill is passed it will mean that prices vii increase and the consumer-the people-will be the sui ferer.
 The Pennsylvania Motor Federation has issued circular to motorists ask | ing that every effort to defeat the bill should be made at once The circular 1 Is as follows:
 The present registration fees ar' now as high as any other state. Int l amount received (more than $S0,00O,00l Ii in 1920 is more than is received il
 any other state. We feel that these Il so-called fees are in reality a tax, ant believe that if the matter were taken tt higher courts they would be declared
 illegal, but we are willing to pay thes' fees if the money is used to maintain
 our system of state highways. Th' mileage of state highways is distributed
 fairly equitably among the severa