Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1922-01-07
MOVEMENT FOR
GASOLINE TAX
REPEAL BEGUN
But Alderman Allison, Belittling
Objections, Asks People For
Expression

y
up in arms as result of the action
of the city council Thursday night
in imposing a special tax of half a
cent gallon on all gasoline sold in
the city, the tax to be payable month
ly. Thursday afternoon a movement
for early repeal of the tax gained
headway among the dealers and at
their request a meeting of the ordi-
nance committee CT the council, con-
sisting of W. e. Taylor, r. e. Alli-
son, and j. w. Harris, was held at
the Chamber of Commerce. About
80 men interested in the automobile
and gasoline business were present to
voice their objection. Later Chair
man Taylor conferred with Mayor
Sheppard and it is understood spe-
cial meeting of the council may be
called for Monday to deal with the
proposed repeal.
The gasoline dealers made various
objections to the tax. Oscar Low
ing, Independent wholesaler, said it
would cost him $500 per month. Re-
tailers indicated that they would not
pass the tax along to the public,
as was expected by council, but
would pay it, if forced, out of their
own pockets. Threats of erecting fill
ing stations on main highways just
outside of the city limits were heard
and others declared the tax would
hurt Americas, as it would drive gaso-
line trade outside the city and to 9TH
er towns.
Wants Public View.
Alderman Allison, who fathered
the gasoline tax and brought it to
a successful vote by the narrow mar
gin of a to 8, declared today that he
would like to know just how the pub
lie in general feels about the tax,
and suggested that, inasmuch as those
who oppose it have been heard, all
citizens who favor it make the fact
known to the mayor and members
of the council. AAr- .aay-., ----ss,,.-.-.-
eff it is good thing, let's keep
it," he said; eff not, let us repeal it.
We are in office to represent the peo-
[ple and we will do what they want
us to do if they let us know what
it is.
Personally, | think the tax is
just and, proper one. There is no
reason why the dealer should not add
the half cent to the retail price of
gasoline, just as was intended. That
would pass it along to the public. 1t
would then constitute a tax upon
those who could afford it. There is
nothing to the claim that it would
hurt Americus. Everybody knows
that no business man could afford
to send his truck outside the city to
burn up gasoline and have his man
spend 20 minutes or half hour of
time just to save five cents on ten
gallons of gasoline. 1t is absurd. The
tax would amount to, only IS on L.
600 gallons, and that wouldn't hit
many people very heavily. And it
would catch tourists and pleasure
cars. s fH
Hits Directors.
"The people who are bowling
loudest and inrying that it will hurt
Americas are mostly the fellows who
wouldn't give a cent to the play
ground or swimming pool or anything
else to build up Americas. And
want to say that any citizen who
would go outside the city to buy their
gasoline to save tax of 5 cents on
ten gallons wouldn't be a very patri-
otic citizen and ought to be given
a chance to move out. And, again,
referring to the complaint that the
tax would hurt Americas, don't
think more than two of those who
were protesting at the meeting yes
terday were paying members of the
Chamber Of Commerce, which we try
to maintain for the good of Ameri-
GUS
'The way see it, this gasoline tax
will bring in a few thousand dollars
a year to enable US to do some neces-
sary work that we can't do now. 1t
will provide means for raising some
needed money without levying a high
er tax on the little homes about the
city which, we know, are already
burdened to, the limit. eventually
will mean that we will be able to
reduce the tax rate, because it will
bring m needed money from source
able to pay.
Only One Change Needed.1
"As | said before, if this tax is
a good thing, we want it to stick; if
not, of course let's get rid of it. But
am not convinced yet that the peo-
pie do not want it. want to hear
from some not interested as dealers;
want to know what the public at
large thinks Of it. And / would like
the people to tell all of US at once.
The change of only one vote is needed
to repeal the tax
The members of the council are:
J. E. Sheppard, mayor; w. E. Tay-
lor, H. B. Mashburn, r. E. Allison,
j. w. Harris, Jr., j. t. Warren and
/ c.. H. Burke, Messrs. Sheppard, Al