The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1925-01-23

one gallon of gasolins half again as
far on gravel road ana twice as far
on pavement as on dirt road.
An Oregon experiment demonstrate
ed that poor but passable road may
mean increase in vehicle operating
cost equivalent to 27-cent tax on
gasoline. Many like figures on the
value of good roads are available. All
point the same fact: Whe 4 road out
lays are increased, rig OUTLAWS are de-
creased and in bigger measure.
Contributions toward improvement
and maintenance of roads we use are
no more taxes than are expenditures
on vehicles. Roads are as necessary
to the car owner as tires, gasoline and
other car requisites. Taxes are mon
eys collected for the support of a gov
eminent.
Motor Vehicle Taxation
The state tax or license fee now is
the only tax on motor vehicles in Min
nesota. 1t is the only direct tax for
main or trunk highway purposes.
Rates are generally equitable and sat-
isfactory. They are not burdensome.
Present schedules are lower than
were those under the personal prop
erty tax law; lower than the agreed
average and lower than the average
for all the states.
Minnesota motor vehicle taxes aver
age less than $3.50 under the new
plan In 1924 the light or "a" plate
automobiles were taxed the $12 mini
mum and $3.50 was the average tax
on the heavier, more expensive cars
of the "B" plate class.
Formerly, the personal property tax
averaged over SIT and the added state
license fee brought the total to near
ly $19.
Good Roads Amendment No. 1,
adopted in 1920, provides for "a more
onerous tax" on motor vehicles than
on other personal property. A mini
mum average of SIS on automobiles
and reasonable rates on trucks and
busses was pledged by an overwhelm-
ing vote. Reduction of rates below
that figure has meant less than So
year to the average car owner. 1t is
costing road users more than $780,
900 of needed highway improvements
under the new plan to date.
Motor vehicle taxation is the main
source of trunk highway income. 1t
is not keeping pace with highway use
and demands. The situation grows
steadily more serious.
The most important consideration
is retention of the S12 and SIS mini
NUNS. They are paid on the largest
number of automobiles. Each 81 cut
from the minimums will take upwards
of $250,000 from the good roads fund.
Some owners of big, costly cars are
urging reduction of the az per cent
rate. 1t was raised from 2 per cent
two years ago mainly to offset the
decline in car prices after the war.
At the same time depreciation al
lowance of 10 per cent annually up
to years was substituted for that of
25 per cent after three and so per
cent after five years. This was big
concession.
Suggestions that minimums be cut
if any reductions are to be made
brings only the answer that "the use
of Minnesota's good roads is worth 81
month of any car owners money"
Public service and economy demands
that motor vehicle tax schedules re-
main unchanged at this stage of high
way development.
Gasoline Taxes for Roads
Gas Tax Amendment No. 1 was
adopted at the recent election by a
vote of more than $4,000 to less than
100000. 1t received larger number
of favorable votes than any other
proposal or candidate. The result
demonstrated that the people want
more good roads and are willing to
pay for them.
The big majority may be attributed
to three things: The gas tax is fair
and painless" method of raising good
roads funds and is popular in all Of
the thirty-six states now collecting it.
1t takes a small rental for good roads
use from outside tourists. The gen.
eral agreement is that all motor ve-
hicle taxes, direct or indirect, should
be used for needed highway better
ments.
Assumption that the gasoline tax