Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-01-22
ID. C.. AND VIR GINA LACK FORMAL
PACT ON MOTOR RECIPROCITY"
Recent License War" Brings Out Many
Facts Not Understood by Autoists
of Both Sections.


much-heralded tag war" in Fairfax
county was wased some months ago
Inc Juror created by the plans for
wholesale arrests" of District truck
owners coming into Virginia led TO for
nation OF delegation OF Washington
business leaders for conference with the
governor at Richmond
One OF the surprises Of this friendly
little tete-a-tete in Byrd's private ONCE
in the State Capitol was that Gov.
Byrd himself was not wholly aware
Of the stringent provisions contained in
the States automobile laws. He
seemed incredulous. at firs.. that Viz
ginia had law which prohibited free
interchange OF commerce. 50 70 speak.
and he discussed the whole problem
quite frankly with Washington's trade
representatives.
Proposal by Byrd.
Although Commissioner Hayes only
few hours before had ordered rigid en-
forcements Of the statute affecting cut
side commercial vehicles. and numerous
arrests OF Washington truck operators
even then were being made in Alexan-
dria. Byrd automatically suggested" 20
the motor vehicle commissioner that
the whole matter be held in abeyance
until the Legislature had had an oppor-
tunity 10 study the situation.
Hayes explained that the real ob-
tect' OF his drive was 70 compel bona
fide residents OF Virginia TO equip their
cars with Virginia plates, instead OF
with the cheap District OF Columbia
tags. He declared that hundreds Of
actual Virginians went 10 Washington.
gave fictitious addresses in the District,
and obtained an automobile tag for 81
so as 70 escape payment OF he
States registration and license fees,
many times that amount. Licenses IN
Virginia cost from IL TO more than 30
times as much as those IN Washington.
as the fees are based on the weight
of the car, at the rate OF 20 cents per
hundredweight.
HAYES stressed the point tina. I, the
District had a title lav. the "ind.scrim-
mate distribution OF D. c. tags" as he
called it, would be halted Washing
tons concil!ators were in agreement
with Hayes on the necessity for an ade-
uuate title Law for the District. and
they promised to Use their efforts 20
obtain such a Law from Congress at the
earliest opportunity.
Out OF the whole discussion came
mutual feeling OF good will 20 cisplace
the distrust that had preceded the par
ley, and IL was plainly evident, more
over. that Gov Byrd Is stanch De-
lever in complete motor reciprocity be-
tween States.
Trafic officials throughout the ccun-
try appear TO have come 70 JOINT
realization that automobile reciprocity
among the States is most desirable.
According TO TTafic Director Har-
-
away from discrimination against tags
tons between the States. The policy
most widely approved today IS that
every automobile should carry one pair
OF license plates. and only one.
The use of tags Of more than one
State on an automobile illustrates the
primary purpose OF the tag lavs-to
render easily ascertainable the identity
Of the car and its owner.
Although easy Identification OF mo-
florists was the underlying motive for
issuance of license plates, tracac au-
thorities in some OF the States nave
seized upon tags as q source OF auto
mobile revenue. II Is this policy that
indirectly has led 20 the reciprocity
disputes between States.
Proves Substitute.
The gasoline tax has proved 10 BE-
an adequate substitute Cor the plan OF
charging large license fees. a. least IN
the District Of Columbia. The sueno-.-
ties In the National Capital hold that
the fee for tags should be merely \
nominal one. 20 cover clerical costs %
registration and the cost o. the plates
themselves.
Virginia has not come round 10 The
same rieS as Yet. although there was
a distinct movement durinS the S,,ec:al
session OF the Legislature las. year 20
eliminate all ou. q nominal license
Zee, or. At least, materially reduce TIE
fee and Offset the decrease II receipts
by ar increase II the gasoline tax. A
commission was appointed 20 consider
The entire question o. fees and gasoline
taxes, and this commission Is under
stood 20 have reached the CONCLUSION
'hai TIE tag costs should nos he
changed.
In say event. II s certain TIA. thc
Legislature will have . great deal 10 saw
when the matter q recioroc;ty cs,-,eS
BEFORE u, and Gov Sy-S and clns-s
nave declared tire problem xil GORE u
AZ the present SESSION.
II The Virginia General Assembly ~
COWS the advice .; i;S sActsSh..u, ScV-
srnor. y undoubtedly vil amend =
present su:cs;lch.le registration Aaws :,
IS 70 remove al Obstacles 20 :rss ON
reTciA and paSssnSs- ia.sroNl-ss -
tween ire Commonwealth anS ,ss A.:
connective world az large.