Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-04-06
LEE URGES COUNTY
AUTO TAG STATIONS
Speaker Asks Richie to Sign
Bill to Aid Mo-
florists.
By stan Correspondent Of The star.

By stan Correspondent Of The Star.
SILVER SPRING, Nd, April g.
Pointing out that the Geen arlAssembly
more nearly reflects the desires of the
people than does the motor vehicle
commissioners department, particular
ly under its present management,
Maj. e. Brooke Lee, speaker of the
last two houses of the Legislature and
State Democratic leader, sent state
ment to Gov. Albert C. Ritchie yes
terday in support of the bill authorizing
the issuance of tags and titling of cars
by clerks of the circuit courts of the
counties. The governor yesterday held
public hearing on the measure, as a
result Of many kilograms he received
in support of the bill. The measure
Is opposed by the commissioner Of mo-
tor vehicles, who, 1t was pointed out, de-
sireS the business to remain centralized
in Baltimore.
Declared Most Heavily Taxed.
Speaker Lee informed the governor
that motor vehicles are the most heavily
taxed class of property In Maryland
and said that the automobile owners
and dealers are clearly entitled to con-
Siderate and convenient treatment in
securing license tags, titles and other
State licenses incident to the opera
ton of automobiles. Under existing
State law, he added, practically every
other type of license and tax in Mary
land can be paid either in Baltimore
City or in the county Of which the tax
payer is resident.
Speaker Lees statement said:
StrTha
ONCE admits that last year out of the
100000 cards mailed to residents of
Maryland containing data for the 1929
motor vehicle licenses 10000 or these
cards contained descriptions of dead
cars, and in the cases of thousands of
Others the owners of the cars in cues
ton had been changed during the last
several months Of the calendar year.
1.-THE difficulty of the present law is
that the bona fide. easily recognized
and permanent citizens of the various
counties Of the State are subject to all
OF the burdensome restrictions in Sc
curing automobile licenses, titles and
transfers of titles that the mobility of
q motor vehicle makes necessary to APP
prehend the small percentage of these
vehicles that are stolen and dealt in by
dishonest people.
Purpose OF Law.
1.-THE purpose Of the law passed by
the last session of the Legislature is to
allow those residents of the counties
OF Maryland who have already received
motor vehicle licenses or titles while
residents of that particular county from
the motor vehicle commissioners Office
in Baltimore, to be able to secure their
annual license tags and titles for new
cars. and transfers of titles for cars al
ready titled IN Maryland upon the pres
entation OF a Maryland title in good
shape at their respective county seats.
This legislation will take the existing
regulations and requirements as now
depressing permanent residents Of the
various counties Of the State. and the
registered automobile dealers, out of
what can very properly be called the
nuisance" class. The automobile
owners and dealers are paying enough
taxes to entitle them to convenient.
quick and courteous service at their
respective county seats
1T is estimated that the entire cost
under the bill which originally intro
duced. which provided a deputy of the
motor vehicle commissioner at each
county seat, would be approximately
$4,000 year. The stamp requirement
by the motor vehicle commissioners
once alone for annual titles has aver
aged over $4,000 q year charge on the
public on the present Baltimore City
mail order concentration plan.
"A deputy Of the motor vehicle COM
missioner, or deputy clerk of the court
In each of the county seats, would not
require any expensive addressing or
Ming equipment as all cards and data
Tor operation and distribution can be
furnished from the Baltimore ONCE"