Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-02-22
ought not to complain at this ex

emption. .t...-.
Representative Leland of Sanger
vile insisted that his plan Of one
cent gasolene tax without any cX-
emptions was the most feasible. and
practicable of the bills before the
committee. He, explained that under
the, provisions of his bill the pro-
ceeds were to be used one-half for
State Aid roads and one-half for
farm to market roads, until the lat-
ter class could be cared for by some
other provision.
William j. Thompson Of China.
master OF the State Grange. gave the
endorsement of his organization to
,. the Leland bill.
Judge Cleaves. representing the
Associated Industries. said that the
industries of the State were willing
to foregO the exemptions provided
the mechanics If collection we're not
made cumbersome. He said that
the Portland Company distributed
145.O gallons of gasolene in the
past year. mostly in five gallon lots.
and that it would have to cut out
the gasolene if it had to do the book
keeping required for exemption.
They had rather pay the tax.
1.-THE industrial organizations That
you represent arc p" fiiiHS w pay '''Nt'.N
exemptions because they know that by
tomobilists. their own general taxes
would be less--is it not So" queried
Senator Spcirs.
II hadn't heard 1t suggested that the
state tax was to be reduced. / sup
posed this was an additional tax. re
piled Judge Clcaves.
"The farmers will fight for a ono
| cent tax with no exemption" said Les
| lie f.. McIntire of Waterford. member
of the roads committee of the Maine
Federation of Agricultural Associa-
! lions. There is no exemption on di-
rect tax or bond issue
| Representative Rogers of Rockland
insisted upon an exemption in behalf of
| the owners of the 1911 gasoline pro-
PEELED vessels i'm the State.
Lyman ii. Nelson of Port land. chair
man of the State Highway Commission.
said that he favored tax OF two cents
! a gallon with exceptions. collected
without expensive machinery. The
highway commission has got to get the
money from some source for main
tcnancc. either by this tax or increasing
tho general levy
Mr.. Nelson predicted that in the flu
I
| TO automobiles more months in the
| year. "Portland has been pract ically
! para lived in traffic for the past two
| months. due 10 snow and to q feeling in
| some quarters that it is not necessary
| to provide for the automobile" said he.
! Mr.. Nelson quoted figures from IS
states that now have The gasoline tax
| to show that the average cost per
month per car was SO cents. lie all
mitted later that this was practically
on one-ecnt basis and that the cost
would he twice as much with two
| cent tax.
The fishermen must he exempted if
| this is to be a fair tax" said Senator
Sargent of Hancock.
Horatio d. cri". director of sea and
f, shore fisheries. said j." appeared for
fl2.000 fishermen from kittcIy to East
port. who demanded an exemption
whatever bill was passed Many OF
! these men live on islands and use the
| highways little. if any, he said.
couldn't they pass it along to- the
consumer" asked Senator Allan. .s.
| The price. is all fixed before, they
come in With the fish" replied Director
eric.
The fishermen and farmers in my
| section arc all in favor Of onc-ccnt
| tax without exemption" said Repre-
sentative Ed. |. Littleficld OF kcnnc-
| hunk.
| Representative Gasnn az Lewiston
spoke for an exemption for farm trac-
| tors.
The rural free delivery carriers OF
| Maine were put on record as in favor OF
! the Leland bill by a message sent il
to the committee.
| Il am opposed to all four of these
gasoline tax bills" SAID Senator spoirs
OF Cumberland i'll opening the case fol
the Opposition. 1T is the old principle
OF soaking tn. man who owns the ai-
| tomobil". Tie automobile owner al.
| ready pays 5 per cent. federal TAX. q
| local tax, registration fec and a driv.
er's tax. The adoption of q gasoline
| tax Will mean from thrcc-quarters Of A
| million to a million ana a half NOR.
| dollars for the automobile owners OF
| Maine to pay"
George G. Weller Of Auburn. rcprc.
| senting the Maine Automobile Dealers
| Association. protested that the ircreas
| ing expenditures for highways were
| putting tho state In hole"
| Ire said that tho organization UbicI
he represented demanded that if a gas
| Cline tax was laid it Should hc llsc,
purely and simply for maintenance.