The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1922-02-17
MOTOR TAX CHANGED
Continued From Page One1

is part of the state constitution. One
of its provisions authorizes a more
generous tax on motor vehicles, than
ON other classes of property, Exercis-
ing this authority, the legislature OF
1921 framed and enacted a law fixing
tax schedules according to factory list
prices, the possibility Of falling prices
failing to present itself. The factors Of
weight and power rating were recon-
mended for consideration by the high
way department but were not included
in the tax basis as adopted. Mainly
because motor vehicle prices have drop
ped and the owner OF a used car Is
Obliged to pay q greater tax on it than
is collected on new models of higher
value, the tax is rightly bringing a
storm of protest Yet there is no
blame to be placed for careful. serious
study was given the subject IN advance
Of its adoption.
Remedy Lies in Revision
"The remedy lies in revision of the
motor vehicle tax law in the state leg
islature which meets next January.
Free discussion in the meantime will
tend to bring generally satisfactory re-
suits but the cold facts should be kept
In mind.
"The state has assumed the con-
struction and maintenance, forever, of
1000 miles of main highways which
carry probably four fifths of vehicle
traffic. 1t provided $21, 900, 900 Mast
year for the remaining roads-light
traffic thoroughfares that can be more
cheaply built and maintained. That
the state trunk plan was based upon a
minimum fund of $10,000,000 a year
less than half the amount available for
secondary roads-also should be borne
in mind.
Motor vehicle tax revenue in 1921
was S5,616,000 federal aid added ST.
SAC, 900 and counties sold reimburse
ment bonds for projects which mater
tally swelled the list of accomplish
ments. This year the federal aid ap-
portionment is reduced % per cent;
there is slight prospect of increase in
automobile tax revenue; less reim-
bursement bond money will be avail
able, and interest charges on trunk
fund obligations now outstanding must
be provided for the first time.
Therefore, IL justice is to be accord
ed the highway development scheme
future motor vehicle taxes should be
made to yield an annual minimum of
81, 100000. This figure should be the
basis for computing proper tax rates.
Gasoline Consumption in Minnesota
Gasoline consumption in Minnesota
laSL year was llI,VUV,UVO gallons &C
cording to the state oil inspector. Con-
sequently, tax of s. cents a gallon
would be necessary to produce the sum
received from the motor vehicle tax,
had gasoline consumption been the
tax measure. A gasoline measured tax
will force owners of heavy and big
mileage cars to pay proportionately
more to the trunk fund, but also will
work to the undue advantage of the
owner of an expensive car run a com
paratively small distance each year.
This is one Of many phases deserving
attention.
Evidence that Minnesota people are
protesting againsC tax discrimination
alone, and continue generally staunch
friends of the good roads plan are
most gratifying. They are a big in
centive to use best efforts again this
season to obtain results showing bene-
fits to be derived on the trunk high
way system. The department will be
successful, believe, in demonstrating
than money can be more wisely and
advantageously used for roads than
spent for tires, gasoline and car ex-
pense. Fair taxation apparently will
remove the last obstacle to Minneso-
ta's move into the ranks of progressive
states with adequate public highways"