Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-10-22
Joins Manufacturers Group
in Opposing Proposal of
Traffic Council.
BRAKE-TESTING SCHEME
is ALSO DlSAPPROVED
Safety Regulation Suggestion As
sailed as Putting Government Into
Competition With Business Men.

The Washington Chamber of Com
merce today joined with the Merchants
and Manufacturers Association in Wig
orously opposing the recommendations
of the Traffic Advisory Council to in
crease both the tax rate on gasoline
and the registration f@6 for automo-
biles in this city. At the same time. 1t
was announced by Theodore P. Moves
chairman of the Traffic Committee OF
the washington Beard of Trade, that
he would call a meeting Of his COM
mittee within the next few days to
consider the recommendations Of the
council
The Executive Committee and board
Of directors Of the Board OF Trade, MT
Noyes said, have already gone on rec
ord as opposed to any increase in the
tax rate at this time.
Our committee will consider this
proposal" Mr.. Noyes said. which comes
at time when there has been shown
no need for increased revenues. 4nls
is the time to be working for reduced
taxation, instead of coming forward
with propositions for increasing II.
Reiterates Opposition.
The Chamber of Commerce, in its
statement. reiterated a stand previously
taken in opposition to the gas tax IN
crease. The group, it was explained py
chamber officials today, never nau spe-
cifically opposed an increase in reglstra-
ton fees for the reason that the ques-
ton never had previously been Drought
to its attention. The chamber also an,
nounced its opposition to the proposal
To nut the Government in business,
which. it declares, the council proposes
in connection with its headlight ana
brake testing regulation.
The statement follows:
'aThe Washington Chamber of Com
n1erce is firmly on record in oproSitlon
to any increase in the gas tax sucn as
is proposed in the recent report OF the
traffic advisory council. IL Is equ2Hy
opposed, through past official action, 10
any attempt to pass on to District clti-
PENS the whole cost of services the
benefits of which accrue to both Feoerai
and District governments. ,ooo
.'The chamber at its June. 1879.
meeting. Endorsed 'save-a-life' cam
paipn for Washington, which would M
clude the testing Of brakes and mead
lights. as proposed by Assistant franc
Director N. o. Eldridge, ana would
strongly disapprove any deviation lroHl
government in business in competlticn
with our local service stations and
garages
Lansburgn Writes Crosby.
In a letter addressed to Mai. Gen.
Herbert B. Crosby OF the Board OF Com
missioners, Mark Lansburgh. D-esidenf
of the Merchants and Manufacturers
Association, requested the District Com
rnissioners to disapprove any increase
In the gasoline tax in the District.
1.-THE board Of governors OF the
Merchants and Manufacturers AsSocla-
ton" the letter read, recently made
study of the question OF taxes upor
automobiles and gasoline. and unan.'
nously went on record as being u1al,er-
ably opposed to an? increase IN ths
tax on gasoline. it being tn b0ard'!
belief that such an increase, uh-cf
would amount to a tax OF over 20 pei
cent on this essential commodity. wouic
be prohibitory, absolutely unreasonable
and entirely unnecessary.
Delivery Costs Mounting.
with the rapidly increasing traffic
congestion on the streets OF Washing
ton. brought about By the constantly
enlarging number Of automobiles, the
cost of delivering merchandise Is
mounting at an alarming rate, because
of the delays which such congestion
cause. Washington business firms have
found that the larger commercial trucks
have been using much larger quantities
of gasoline since the installation or traI'
fic lights, because of the fact that the
engines continue 10 run while such We
hicles are held up at street inte-sec'
tions, and that instead Of increasing
the daily mileage Of their trucks, there
has been actually a decrease in sucl
use. To further increase the tax undeI
these conditions, we feel, is absolutely
unfair and unjust, and entails an aodet
burden when relief. especially al TN
time, Is greatly needed"