Evening star., 1931-12-30
TRUCK MEN FIGHT
NEW AUTO TAX BILL
Association Invites Co-opera'
ton in Effort to Defeat
MapeS Measure.

Tentative plans for an extensive fight
against provisions in the Mapes tax bill
! for levying additional taxes on motor
vehicles and gasoline in ths District
! were formulated at a reorganization
meeting of the Commercial Motor We
hicle Owners Association of the District
of Columbia in the United States Cham
ber of Commerce Building last night.
AS a first step toward its objective, the
association adopted a resolution to in
vite all civic and trade organizations to
appoint committees to meet with the
association representatives to formulate
plans for combating unfair" provisions
of the bill
Expressions of indignation regarding
provisions of the bill passed by the
House to tax automobiles by weight and
increase the tax on gasoline, and
charges Of unfair treatment of residents
of the District were heard from both
the platform and the floor.
$4,000, coo Raised Here Now.
R. E. Vincent declared the Mapes re-
port failed to point out that the Federal
Government gives millions of dollars
annually to States for highway develop
ment. In reference to mention being
made in the bill for the necessity of
raising additional money through motor
vehicle and gasoline tax, Mr.. Vincent
asserted approximately $4,000 900 Is
raised here annually now through taxa
ton Of abutting property owners, tax on
trucks and the gasoline tax.
Jerome Fanciulli, executive secretary
of the association, charged ignorance
nd ,,nfa H. rity with tr1lPk and motor
vehicle operation on the part Of the
trainers of provisions of the weight tax
bill. The latter was drawn up nur-
riedly, he charged. He cited the various
rates proposed in it.
Mr.. Fanciulli also cited alleged ex-
horbitant rates of taxation for motor
vehicles included in the recommended
tions of the special commission ap-
pointed by Gov. Pollard of Virginia.
Under the recommendations, which the
Virginia Legislature has been asked TO
pass, Washington concerns operating
trucks in Virginia would be required to
register there and pay fees ranging
from SIS to sl,l95, he said.
In reference to recommendations OF
commissions in general regarding mo-
tor vehicle operation and taxes, Mr..
Fanciulli charged the members have to
warp their judgment to meet political
nfiuence-sometimes brought TO bear
by the railroads"
Warns Against "Bootlegging"
In conclusion, he asserted the higher
taxes proposed here would result in
"bootlegging," with the reliable truck
owners paying the taxes and Others
evading them. As an illustration, he
asserted, trucks from middle Western
States, bearing the tags from those
States, would be enabled to operate
here for a time without paying the
local tax rates. He predicted this
matter would not be emphasized by
those considering the bill.
He urged members Of the associa-
ton not to satisfy themselves with the
thought that the bills won't pass the
Senate" pointing out the hurried man
ner in which they had been rushed
through the House.
John w. Hardell general plant man
ager for the firm of Barber g. Ross,
ton. James E Collifower, president
Of the James E. Collifiower Coal Co,
Inc, was elected first vice president;
A. G. Hermann, proprietor of the
Hermann Bottling Works, second vice
president, and w. Spence Breni8er, jr.,
vice president Of the w. s. Brenizer
Co.. treasurer.
The officers Immediately named a
board Of governors, representing various
kinds of businesses. They are Edgar
N Bawner, A. Lee Thompson, c. z.
Fries, Mark Lansburgh, Ford Young, A.
Biederman. P. R. Bailey, L. P. Field,
Anton Auth, w. N. De Neane, John 2.
Walker, Charles P. Meloney, Francis J.
Kesne, William E. Humphries, Edward
CoStigan, P r McDermott Charles B.
Buck, Arthur C. Smith, Joseph Trew
and Paul Lum.
The Capital Traction Co. and Wash
ington Railway 81 Electric Co., both OF
which are members of the old CONNER
cial Vehicle Owners Association, will
have to go through certain routine
procedure and receive approval by the
heads Of those companies before having
members elected TO the new board, 1t
was stated after the meeting.
Philip P. Gott, manager Of the trade
association department Of the United
States Chamber Of Commerce, spoke at
the meeting, emphasizing the import
ance Of organization among business
men and groups to obtain Justice" in
the form Of legislation.