River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1922-11-16

unjust, throwing too large a share of
the burden of the tax on real and per-
scnal property-the motor vehicles
paying about 1917 and general pro-
perty 90R--and that tie motor We
hicles should foot about one-third of
the bill, or S1O,000,00O relieving gem
eral property of this amount of tax
es, is the outstanding Recommendation
of the Legislature Committee of the
Wisconsin Boards Association which
is being sent to evsIy member of
county board in the state.
The report proposes to remedy the
matter by removing the following
general property taxes and substitute
ing in their stead imposts on motor
vehicles:
The state general property tax
heretofore levied to meet the federal
aid. This would amount to $2,2O0,000
each year in the three year period be-
ginning next year.
The taxes levied by the counties for
maintenance of roads. This amounts
to approximately $1,000 a year.
The full cost of maintenance would be
borne by the motor vehicles.
One-half the cost of maintaining
county organizations, 100000.
Surveys to locate road materials,
$4,000.
Roads in and to state parks, $50 900.
State aid for roads and bridges,
| S985,000. This is now taken from the
general furd.
In addition to eliminating these
general property taxes, the committee
favors a change in the law so that
state trunk highways would be built
wholly with federal and state funds
and that counties would not be re-
quired to pay one third share, as at
present. This world relieve the coun-
ties of raising $2,200,000 year under
the increased federal aid available.
To take the place of these taxes
eliminated and raise funds to continue
the road program, the committee re-
commends the following:
A 2lt tax on the value of motor We
hicles to be paid to the secretary of
state and take the place OF the present
| personal property tax. As the aver
age personal property rate is .023
throughout the state this would not
increase the taxes of the average per-
sonal property tax payer. The valua-
tion of the cars would be fixed by the
secretary of state and it is suggested
that it be 90ft of the cost new the
first year, 709t the second year, 500
the third year.
A change in the present motor We
hical license law whereby instead of a
flat rate of $1,000 the rate would be
graded on the basis of SOC hundred
weight. Under this arrangement a
Ford car would pay $500 and the IL
cense would be graded upward accord
ing to weight This is not an addi-
tional impost but change in the me-
thcd of licensing.
A comfortable increase and gradual
ed fee on heavy motor trucks and bus
ses, averaging 81 for every E1ndred
weight of vehicle and of load The
ccminittee holds that these vehicles
are highly destructive of roads and
should, in a measurable degree, pay
part of the expense they create, and
that public sentiment demands this in
crease.
The final Recommendation is a tax
of &c gallon on gasoline used in mo-
tor vehicles on highways, with Plo-
vision for a refund of the tax on gas
cline used for agricultural, manufac-
turing or other purposes. 1t is held
that gasoline consumption of motor
Ell known method the weigh, speed
and milage Travelled. Under this plan
TIE tourists from ether states would
contribute to the maintenance and
building Of our roads whose use they
enjoy.
A member of other recommends
tions are made regarding changes in
methods of handling the highway pro-
gram.