The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1925-02-19
ASKS KENOSHA
TO JOIN FIGHT
Mayor Hoan of Milwaukee
Asks KenOsha to Fight
New Tax Bill.
UNFAIR TO CITIES
Milwaukee Executive Claims
the Bill Would Be Unfair to
Larger Cities of State.

Kenosha was asked to join with
other cities of the state In opposing
the proposed administration state tax
bill now before the legislature in a
letter just received by City Manager
Hoan of Milwaukee, who points out
that the proposed legislation is most
unfair to all of the larger cities OF
the state. He urges that this city
unite with Milwaukee and other cities
in seeking the adoption of the two
amendments to the bill suggested by
the League of Wisconsin Municipal
ties.
The letter of Mayor Hoan of Mil
waukee is most interesting. 1t reads
as follows:
Urges Two Amendments.
"You no doubt are aware that the
legislature will probably impose new
types of taxation on automobiles for
the benefit of roads. All city ofdcials
are interested in getting a reasonable
part of these new taxes from automo-
biles for the benefit of city streets.
The highway committee of the Senate
has recomme ended a bill to impose a
| 2 cent gasoline tax. The League of
Municipalities have offered two
amendments which if adopted will
give the cities fair share of this
new auto tax for the benefit of your
streets.
evil you not take the matter up
with your state senator and assembly
man and if possible get in touch with
other cities and villages in your coun-
ty and get them to likewise write to
their assemblyman and senator in
favor of our two amendments. We
will have to have some support, other
wise the state will take the lions
share Of all this new auto revenue.
Regarding Gasoline Tax.
81 desire to urgently call your at
tention to the Importance of bill No.
96-S which provides for d tax of two
cents on gasoline and its distribution.
The committee on highways had a
hearing on this bill on Tuesday, Feb
10, The bill provides for the levying
of tax of two cents per gallon of
gasoline which would raise an esti-
mated revenue of about $4,8S0,000
during the next fiscal year. This
am UNI, tOkCLHcT WIN @tCSuSO ACVS AZ
the amount of $8,l2O.000 would yield
total revenue Of $15,o00,00 for high
way purposes.
"The bill proposed that this sum be
distributed about as follows:
Cost Of collection ........$ 100000
Overhead of highway de-
partment ............. $4,000
Construction of gaps in
highway system ......... 100000
Maintenance -. 1000 900
Minor items ,.... 10000
City and village streets and
town roads .............
To counties for County
| Trunk highway .......... 100000
To counties for state trunk
highway ................. 100000
Regarding Apporti9pment.
"The bill provides that the item of
So 900 900 for city and village streets
and town roads be apportioned at the
rate Of $500 per mile to villages and
towns; at the rate of $50 per mile to
cities of the fourth class; 800 per
mile to cities of the third class; $3.50
per mile to cities of the second class,
and. $500 per mile to cities of the
first class. Representatives. of the
League Of Wisconsin Municipalities
appeared before the committee in OPP
position to this method of distribu-
ton and called the committees at
tention to the small percentage allot-
ted to the cities as compared to the
amounts derived from the cities. We
asked the committee to amend the bill
Al. b. - af.axa nj
be allotted a greater amount on the
mileage distribution, and also an
amendment providing for q privilege
tax.
"The privilege tax amendment asked
for provided for the exemption of
autom obiles from the personal pro-
perty tax and in it's place impose a
privilege tax equal to the total local
ftax rate in the various communities,
the entire proceeds of which are to
remain with the local government and
to be collected by the town, village
or city treasurer. No license plate
can be issued by the secretary of
state unless the fee therefor is ac-
companied by receipt showing that
the privilege tax has been paid. In
this way no automobile can possibly
escape being taxed. Probably 90 per
cent of all automobiles now operating
in the state are not taxed under our
present laws. Our amendment fur
Their provides that the secretary of
state is to issue schedule of values
of all makes of automobiles together
with a depreciation table for age of
car on which values the tax is based,
and further provides that the pro-
ceeds so collected are to be used for
local highway purposes.
Urges City to Act.
eve do not know at this writing
what the committees Recommendations
will be, but we are very anxious that
the bill embody our suggestions. /
am writing you this le.eer SO that you
are informed of the situation on this
subject, and also that you or your
common council urge Immediately up
on your representatives in Senate and
Assembly to support our contentious,
which are of vital interest to all of
the cities and villages in the state.
If the committee includes eur amend
ments in the bill, all will be salts
factory. If they do not, our amend
ment will be submitted on the floor
and ask the support OF your repre-
sentatives on same.
"We would ask you to give this mat
ter your immediate attention as the
bill may be up for action in the SEN
ate very soon."
The question raised by Mayor Hoan
will be presented to the citv council