The Washington herald., 1921-02-11
The Sins of Motor Trucks.

Will motor trucks like railroads have to build
their highways? 1t would seem so If New
York puts its contemplated program into effect,
and it infects other States which have the same
problem.
Strangely enough one of the strong argu-
ments for good roads that they would pro-
mote trucking; that heavy trucks would then sup
plement the railroads at less transportation cost
and so at a net saving for those taxed to build
the roads
Now New York proposes to tax five-ton
trucks and all heavier off the public highways 1t
proposes to make the five-ton vehicles pay $500
per year for operation on State highways, adding
$Ioo for each additional ton capacity.
OF these heavy trucks do tear up any
road surface Even concrete suffers by their
weight. especially if chains used the
wheels. But is there other way out than for
bidding them the roads? Also is five tons the
proper limit?
Minnesota seems destined to offer wise So
luton OF this whole problem 1t has adopted a
constitutional amendment providing fund Of
$Ioo, 900 to build State highway system under
State supervision. Each Of the eighty-six counties
gets its proportion of mileage and the system will
reach every county seat and important trading
center
This leaves the usual State, county and town
ship road funds to be used wholly on the laterals
by gravcled or macadam surfaces In this way
the farmers can carry full loads from the farms
to the markets.
But this is not all, the entire 100000 900
fund is to come from a special license tax on
motor cars of all kinds The legislature is now
busy making laws to carry this into effect by
apportioning this tax horse power and load
or weight.
Moreover, the State is not only to build this
tain them. In other words, motor will build,
maintain and renew these roads by this same
means of motor vehicle license tax which is in
lieu of the usual personal tax them.
AS the application of the amendment will be
by State laws, this can be changed from time to
time by equalizing the burden where experience
shows it belongs. If five tons for heavier trucks
develop unexpected destructive powers, they can
be taxed accordingly, and the limit of size al
lowed can be determined
Indeed the time may when the devel-
oped use of this form of heavier motor transpor-
tation may call for especially constructed surfaces
of sufficient Depth reinforcement and pounding re-
sistance to stand this traffic.
These ways could parallel the lighter traffic
ways on the unused part Of the public right of way,
assessing only the construction cost against the
users of trucks. But trucks are not the only de-
structive traffic on such roads. The heavy, high
power, swift running touring close seconds
to them with their suction factor due largely to
speed. Also all pleasure will find the slower
trucks nuisance if they to such numbers as
to be a real to the highways.
The Minnesota system, however, would seem
10 be sufficiently flexible to cover all of these de-
vclopments. 1t can meet any situation which ex-
perence and increased traffic of any class develops.
1t might be we'll for New York to investigate this
law before it goes off half-cock and rules heavy
trucking with its many advantages off the State
highways