Seward daily gateway., 1924-12-30
MORE TAXES FOR THE MOTORIST

An economically unsound proposal has been made in California for an increase in the tax of gas olne and there are reports that similar suggestions have been made in other Pacific Coast states.
 The gasoline tax, originating the Pacific Coast five years ago, has proved quite contagious and it is in effect in thirtysx states It's alleged popularity is largely due to it's apparent ease of collection brought about by saddling the work and expense upon oil companies, and to feel ing that the motorists who use roads should pay for them, even though this in reality that de- cided minority of the people are made to pay for public improvements which of unquestlonable value and benefit to the whole people.
 Those who propose the California tax g- nore this very important economic principle. In California there is one motor-car to every 35 or people in the state. Under this proposal be- tween 25 per cent and 30 per cent of the people would pay for improvements of obvious benefit to all the rest of the people, who pay nothing. Good roads inevitably benefit all-they increase business in towns they enhance property values in the try wherever they pass. For example man may inaccessible property worth fifty dollars acre. A new state highway passes through and the land becomes worth, possibly, hundred dollars more per acre Yet under this proposed way of financing highway constructon--a way in Cal ifornia and departure from the policy which ated the present splendid highway system-the for tunate property pays nothing for the highway beyond perhaps, ten twenty dollars year if he happens to motor-car. In California there direct state taxes on individuals other than mo- torvehcle taxes, the revenues from taxes public and private corporations Under the proposals which have been made, the present generation would pay for things of benefit to future generations again a radical departure from the accepted theory of f- nancng permanent public improvements of any character.
 The proposed taxes will place burden upon already heavily taxed motorist and upon motor-vehcle operation, which is calculated to have bad effect upon the automobile industry. Motor taxed in many ways, and each addi- tional tax increases sales resistance, something to which the motorcar dealers of the state should give attention The motorist list of taxes is formd- able. First there is , per cent Federal excise tax the purchase of pleasure car, or per cent on commercial car. There is also , per cent Federal excise tax parts and accessories. If the car is vehicle for hire, there is 5000 Fed efal occupational tax on vehicles carrying seven pas sengers or less, and $2OO0 if it carries more than seven. In California there Is state registration fee of $3.00 on all cars, while commercial cars are taxed up to $50.00 additional, depending weight and character of tires. There is in California two-cent gasoline tax which estimates show amounts to an average of 1000 year for passenger-cars and $20.00 for trucks. Every owner also pays personal property tax assessed valuation.
 There are two proposals as to gasoline tax be- ing discussed in California-one for one-cent in crease, making total of three cents, and another for twocent increase making total of four cents. Nor is this all. It is also proposed that the regis traton fee be increased from $3OO to $500 on all cars and that the extra weight fees commercial vehicles be increased by two-thirds. The proposed increases passenger-cars would amount to $700 in one case and $120O additional in another de- pending whether the gasoline tax increase is one of two cents. With commercial vehicle of say 4000 pounds weight, the increase would be $18.66 if the tax is increased cent per gallon of $2866 if the tax is increased two cents and proportion ately greater for heavier These estimates are based on passengercars using average of 800 gal