Evening star., 1922-07-30
BY WILLIAM ULLMAN.

In event Congress. upon the recon-
mendation of the District Commits
sioners. legislates to replace the pres
ent horsepower automobile fee with
gasoline tax of 2 cents gallon,
just what would be the effect upon
the individual Washington car
owner?
Should the District of Columbia
frame Its automobile taxation to suit
the pleasure of a state that has long
oeem hostile to District motorists. or
should District taxation be worked
out solely as an internal revenue
question?
Since free highways communica-
!ioh was one sof the provisions un
der which the federation of the
safes was made possible in the max
ing OF a nation. ought not national
motoring reciprocity be established
ana sustained on that basis?
since the federal government is ap-
propriating huge sums Of money to
ouild roads in all the states, should
not uncle Sam also say that Ameri-
can citizens have the right to travel
over these roads without paying trib-
ute to any state?
Shall Principal Prevail.
After many years Of hostility and
taxation of Washington motorists.
should the District of Columbia now
SUBMIT to terms named by Maryland
which are framed primarily for the
oenent OF Maryland and at no time
toward the District of Columbia.
Does the state of Maryland bring
,ts proposition to the District of Co.
iumoia with 'clean hands,?
is the question of motoring reci-
Pd.triS pistr;S, between oe Ge MARYLAND and the
settled on the basis of American
principle or by bargaining. and under
terms which would upset the pres
ent District automobile taxation sys-
tenn. which is satisfactory in every
respect?
With big rival in the field and
both organizations angling for the
afhliation of the Automobile Club OF
Maryland Is the A. A. A. favorinr
Maryland's terms in order to hold the
animation OF the Maryland motor or
ganization?
These are some of the questions
District motorists are asking and
which they feel ought to be answer
ed satisfactorily before a change is
made in the present local automobile
taxation system.
Following conference with the
ADVISORY board of the A. a. A. State
Highway Commissioner John Mackall
of Maryland and Secretary H. NJ
Lucius of the Automobile Club of
Maryland. Engineer Commissioners
Keller announced that he regards
Maryland's terms with favor and that
the District Commissioners shortly
Will recommend to Congress that
they be accepted and legislation en-
acted which will put the District on
a gasoline tax basis.
Questionnaire Seems Vain.
The A. A. A. Endorsement of the
Maryland plan was said to have been
brought about through questionnaires
sent to local members of the asso-
citation, which brought 5S4 favorable
replies and l25 against acceptance. F.
With automobile registrations in
the District now numbering nearly
10000, there are many motorists who
do not feel that the small vote re-
corded to the A. A. A. should decide
the matter. There are many who
TO obtain the real opinion of WASH
ington automobile owners they
should obtain it themselves by an
Independent method.
Up until the moment the A. A. A.
and Engineer Commissioner Keller
indorsed the Maryland plan ma
jority of Washington motorists had
remained quiet in reference to the
proposal. but no sooner had Col.
Keller spoken than there was an out
burst of expression on all sides, which
will probably result in a public hear
iEg before the Commissioners make
recomm endations to Congress.
Briefly, the Maryland plan pro-
videS that in return for free use of
Maryland roads after January d. 1924.
District motorists shall be put on