Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-05-17
BY WILLIAM CLLMA\.

There are dark clouds on the horizon
of the gasoline tax.
This is the impression one gathers
from an analysis of the gas tax as
made by experts on the subject.
On one hand there are predictions
10 the effect that the gas tax is justi-
fable and that it will soon he found in
every State. But, on the other hand,
several of the most influential motor
clubs in the country have taken
definite stand against il, While many
motorists and officials are actively en-
gagged not only in preventing further
spread of this form of taxation but in
efecting repeats of present laws that
make il possible.
history of the Union has spread so
rapidly. Enemies of the gas tax con-
tend that this very fact proves that
not sufficient Judgment has been eXer
CiSed by the authorities and the car
owners.
California represents the States most
favorable TO the tax but it is also
one of the few States that have sue
reeded IN experimenting the tax with
flatrate motor vehicle registration
fee. The tax of cents per gallon of
gas in California has at this writing
every chance of being increased TO 3
cents. Nearly IS per cent of the vot-
ing members of the California State
Automobile Association have approved
Senator's Breeds amended bill in
creasing the present gasoline tax /
cent per gallon.
This is one side of the story. On
the other side we have the Ohio State
Automobile Association and the Chi.
Cago Motor Club fighting the tax as
no clubs have ever fought before.
Their fight against the gas tax, more
over, IS supported by many lawyers
and taxation experts.
BY reason of sound and conStruc-
tive arguments presented by officials
of the Dallas Automobile Club, more
over, Texas motorists recently sue
ceeded in securing the failure of two
bills introduced in the State Legisla-
rure providing for gas taxes of 21a
cents and cents per gallon, respec-
lively.
California motorists are said TO be
among the few who fully appreciate
the effect of the gas tax. At least
the California motoring public is
abreast of the situation. The fiat rate
system of IS for license has supple
mented the tax in the Golden State,
and every penny the tax nets is APP
piled to the building and maintenance
of good roadS-50 per cent of the tax
going back to the counties and the
remainder going to the State highway
maintenance fund.
California motorists prefer the pay
as-yougo" plan. but enemies of the
tax point ont that the cent increase
has been offered to the motorists of
that State as the only way of avoiding
an increa sed registration fee or new
weight tax.
Is Tax a Blind?
Is the gas tax a huge blind? Are
motorists falling into it because few
cents per gallon seems like lot less
than an annual registration fee eX-
pressed in dolIafsaSfTs the gas tax the
old policy of "soak the man who owns
car" done up IN new package?
The trouble appears to be that in
most States car owners haven't really
thought about it. Connecticut was
one of the first States TO adopt this
new form of taxation. Recently the
commissioner Of motor vehicles out
lined plans for Increasing the tax and
reducing the amount of the annual
registration5fe fee to a fiat figure. The
plan was killed. The legislators would
have none of II. Connecticut is be-
hind in its highway funds and its
roads are badly in need of major
Tepa IRIS.