Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1923-01-14
OPINIONS OF AUTOISTS
!. asked ON LEGISLATION
Many Pending and Prospective State
and National Measures Taken Up
BY Motorists association.

Pending and prospective state and
national legislation of interest to
motorists is being taken up by the
National Motorists Association at Its
headquarters in this city. The fol-
lowing are a few of the outstanding
measures. The association wishes
the views of the motorists on these
questions and asks that responses be
made as promptly as possible.
Arguments pro and con are given
below solely for the guidance of the
motorist.
Insurance OF Compensation Beads,
Favorahle.-The argument is made
that an indemnity or insurance bond
would serve as protection to the
individual motor car operator and
would not constitute an injustice, due
to the fact that practically all re-
sponSible owners today carry insur-
ance up to certain sum. The tact
that many persons who drive motor cars
which have not been fully paid for
and who are not liable in q property
way represent the irresponsible class
among drivers is suggested In sup
port of the contention that the mo-
toring public would be benefited rather
than damaged by law of this kind.
Held Loaded.
Cnfavorable-It is contended that
legislation of this character is
''Ioaded"; that il is unnecessary, and
discriminating az to motorists; that
there is every equitable reason for ad-
vancing the same argument in favor OF
bond for the driver of team OF
spirited horses or any horse-draWn We
hicle that the only interest benefited
by legislation of this kind would be the
lesisinSurance or surety companies; that
thre would be Il psychological tendency
on the part of irresponsible operators to
become more reckless and fragrant viola
tors of the law, with the knowledge
that they have protection anyway" 1t
is generally believed that this legisla-
ton is the outgrowth of activity by In
surdnce corporations who have already
''waxed fat" at the expense OF owners
and operators of automobiles, and OF
activity on the part of professional
safety promoters" who can see In q
measure of this kind simply another
feature of special interest to them. In
some cases legislation of this charac-
ter might be attributable to some one
who has a perennial crouch against
motor car owners. 1t is argued further
that the overwhelming majority or
motorists prefer to exercise their own
discretion as to the character OF IN
demnity insurance carried.
Gasoline Taxation.
faNOrdDle.-l Is COntenueQ lHdt
the gasoline tax, in theory, 10 the
most equitable tax, based on the con-
tention that the largest user Is taxed
his proportionate share, very similar
to the old method OF charging tolls.
Nineteen states have already adopted
that it is most fair. providing II Is
adopted in lieu of all other state en-
else taxes. and that a nominal fee OF
not more than one dollar is charged
as a registration fee. 1t Is contended
primarily one of Identification. and
that administrative cost, the purch~1R;
cost and the distribution cost OF reg
istration tags can be covered by the
onc-dollar fee. The most earnest ad.
that the / or . cent gasoline tax
should be supplemented by an addi-
tional tax on commercial motor
trucks. The Maryland law, for In
stance. provides an additional fee for
solid-tire vehicles, based on an rated
carrying capacity of one to Ave tons;
the additional fee ranging from sac
per vehicle TO SIS for the flve-teH
capacity tTpck. 1t is further con-
tended thaSff the gasoline tax were
states as the only excise tax applied
to motorists for repair and mainte-
nance of roads, 1t would be 3
means of opening up the possibility
OF leoerdl registration ana rederal
certificate of title.
Opposing Arguments.
Unfavorable.-The opposition az
pressed the view that IL the gasoline
tax were adopted, it is usually with
the specific proviso that the funds de-
rived therefrom pay the entire cost
of state highway maintenance. 1t is
further provided that motor vehicles
in large numbers do not use state
nd CT e al Ia
number, particularly in the larger
cities, do not leave the incorporation
line. and that a gasoline tax applied
for the purpose of state highways
alone Cor state and county roads) Is
inequitable for those vehicles not us
ing state or county roads. Such yehi-
cles are principally light delivery We
hicles, haulage vehicles, express We
hicles. etc. 1t is also commended that
gasoline tax. If the statute specif- |
really provides lin lieu OF all other !
taxes" would eliminate any pessibil- |
1ty of a franchise tax or any special |
tax being placed on commercial Vehi- |
Giles for hire, such as trucks operating |
on fixed schedule between centers |
or population. and that in some states |
would legtslate against any ordinance |
being passed controlling common car |
Tiers' including taxicabs, buses, etc. |
1t is further contended by the oppose !
ton that the gasoline tax. might con,
stftute another additional tax on the |
motoring public, and that state leRis.
Iative bodies who are always seeking |
ways and means of raising additional |
revenue would systems ticaliy and au,
tomatically increase the gasoline tax
from time to time. Further, that adj
the gasoline tax is costly |
and eXpends money which should go
into good roads instead of a political
machine.
Operators License Law.
Observation-Disclosures states NOM
nave an owners license law; thirty,
1ve states have g. ehauffeur's license
law Both owners and chaufeur's
laws are being agitated in all states. /,
Sentlment, even where favorable,
well crystallized.. 1t is asserted IL |
would result in, control of irrespen-
Slble drivers and a reduction IN the |
number of traffic accidents. That the |
right kind of operators license law
would centralize under the political |
administration the permits to drive |
an automobile, and would result in /
a greater number of cancellations OF |
permits for violations of the traffic |
laws. That the basis of obtaining !
operators license should be ono OF |
examination, which would eliminate |
all applicants who are found physi-
cally or mentally defective, OF who |
do not show proper ability to drive.
That the man with only one leg and
the man with only one arm, that the
man with defective eyes or ears, or
the mentally defective would be res
fused permit to drive under the opef.
ator's license law, and that there are
no ways or means of curbing this
kind of operation without such Q law.
No Accident Safeguard.
Unfavorable. Opposition claims
that statistics show that the so-calied
nrtz To-