Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-01-23
GASOLINE TAX
Continued from Paue Onel

which had been referred by the House
to the committee on taxation, came
from the Senate referred to the com
mittee on banking, Representative
Pullmer of Bridgton tabled the bill
pending further consideration.
Representative Hamilton of Caribou
introduced out of order a bill amend
ing the Federal Farm Loan Law so
as to make the rate of interest five
instead of seven per cent, and max
ing the payment semi-annually in
stead of annually.
No Graft in State Pier Matters Says
Rep. Rounds
"\obody grated a cent, the bills
of the Directors of the Port of Port
land in which there has been con-
troversy in the newspapers have all
been paid, and their expenditure
was previously approved by the Gov
ernor and Council" said Representa-
tive Edgar l.. Rounds of Portland in
the House yesterday afternoon, in
introducing a resolve appropriatins
SI65.OOO to rebuild the steamship
sheds on the westerly side of Frank
lin Wharf at the State Pier in Port
land.
Representative Rounds explained
the expenditures in detail, saving
that they were for informing news
papers OF the State OF the purposes of
the State Pier and for the entertain
ment of the Deeper Waterways Con-
vention. which entertainment had been
sanctioned for the Governor and
Council.
The expenses of this entertain
ment was $3S1S.96 and the City OF
Portland expended $500 in this con-
blamed that the expenditure of $4,000
for the Port of Portland books was
for a book. which was sent all over
the country to bring business for the
State Pier
Executions were taken by Mr..
Rounds to the statement that within
80 days the salaries connected with
the state Pier had increased from
s4432.45 to s16.966 Il year The Dud-
get committees report provides 1or
$4,000 n wear for administrative eX-
penses and the correct pay roll at the
present time is at the rate OF Soo-1
per year SAID ne.
"Aroostooll potatoes are gong eN-
erv week to New York from the
state Pier: if you are looking for
husircss you've got to spend money,
Mr.. Rounds continued. You can let
the state Pier rot if YOU want to but
the State has spent more than NIL
lion dollars on it. The Appropriation
of s165. 900 is for rebuilding steamship
sheds. for which the Pier will get
So. OOO> extra rental and in the sum-
NOR time a New York boat.
Tho resolve was referred TO the
committee on appropriations and fin
ancial affairs and 500 copies ordered
printed.
To Regulate Use of Vehicles in
Highways
Representative Saunders of Lubec
introduced in the House as act feSu
Iatinc the use of motor driven ana
animal drawn vehicles on highways.
The act provides that the State
Highway Commission, municipal ON
GERS of the several towns, cities ana
plantations on all the highways With
in their respective municipalities ana
the county commissioners of Inc
counties on all of the highways in
unorganzcd or unincorporatcd town
ships are authorized to promulgate
such reasonable rules and regula-
tons as in their judgment may be
necessary to insure the proper use
and prevent abuse of all highways pE
motor driven and animal drawn We
hiClcs during such season OF the year
as such highways require such speclal
protection. Attcstcd copies OF sucn
rules and regulations shall be posted
in two or more public places IN mum
cipalitics or townships ana siiali a'So
be published one or more times IN q
newspaper.
The penalty for violation Is fixed
at a fine not exceeding 800 for each
offensc and liability for all damages
TO the highways accustomed by such
driving.
Provisions of Gasoline Tax Bill
The gasoline tax act which made
its appearance in the Legislature
Monday levics an excise tax of two
cents per gallon upon motor vehicle
fuels sold in this State. excepting,
however, such fuels as are imported
into the State and sold in original
packages in the same form and con-
dition as when so imported, as inter-
national or Interstate commerce
sales, or purchased outside the state
and brought into the State in original
packages by the consumer Tor MS
own use or sold wholly for cXporta-
ton from the state. Motor boats.
tractors used for agricultural pur-
poses not operating. on public ways
and such vehicles as run only on
rails or tracks, or are owned ana
opcrated by the United States or the
State are excepted.
The act provides that every dis
tributor shall, on or before the 11th
day Of each month. render report
to the State auditor stating the num-
Der of gallons of motor vehicle fuel
received, sold and forms furnished
by the auditor, and the report shall
contain such further information
pertinent thereto as the auditor shall
prescribe. On or before the first day
of the calendar month succeeding the
filling of the report each distributor
shall nav the treasurer Of the State
a tax of two cents u gallon upon each
gallon so reported as sold or distribu-
ted. On or before the first day of
each calendar month the State audi
tor shall transmit to- the treasurer of
the State such information as shall
sh0w all taxes due from each dis
tributor. The State treasurer is au-
thoriZed to create special fund out
of moneys received sufficient in his
judgment to enable him to promptly
pay all claims for refunds duly al
lowed.
Provides for Road Maintenance
Senator Wadsworth Of Kennebec,
who introduced the act levying a tax
Of two cents on gasoline, said that he
believed that this idea was tn emost
equitable way to secure revenue for
the maintenance of trunk lines and
State Aid roads.
This measure is not intended to
add q burden TO anyone" said Sen.