Evening star., 1932-04-07

ers and operators an amount far in
excess Of that received by any other
city. The city of Cincinnati, about the
size of Washington, receives for city
purposes from the gas tax $498,000 and
from the registration or license fee,
S467 900, or a total receipt of Se65 900,
just about half the amount the city of
Washington is now deriving from the
gas and registration taxes.
Other Cities Compared.
In comparing the tax burden for
highway purposes In the District with
the 48 States, consideration also should
be given to the fact that the Federal
Government appropriates annually to
the States $100, 100000 for highway
purposes. This makes it possible for
States with a population no greater
than the city of Washington to receive
from the Federal Government an
amount far in excess Of their revenues
from motor vehicle fuel tax and in some
States the amount received from the
Federal Government for highways is
in excess of the total receipts by the
State from both motor vehicle fuel tax
and motor vehicle license tax. The Dis
trict does not share in this appropria-
ton and in the study of the amount
and need of revenue for highway pur-
poses consideration should be given to
the fact that a part of the Federal
appropriation should be credited to the
highway fund"
Mr.. Fanciulli told the committee the
report of the Efficiency Bureau, while
reducing the aggregate amount Of such
taxes, is no less inequitable in prin-
ciple." G on t nuing, Mr.. Fanciulli
stated
The report of the Bureau of Eff
cheney lays great stress on the damage
done to the streets by solid-tired vehi-
cles and proposed fees running as high
as $500 for a gasoline propelled solid
tired truck Apparently no considera-
tion was given to the fact the number
of solid-tired trucks commercially op-
Grated has been declining for several
years; that the present District traffic
regulations do not permit the regis
tration of new solid-tired vehicles, and
that the Federal and District Govern
ments operate more vehicles of this
type in proportion to the total trucks
they operate than do those using trucks
commercially.
Government Share Ignored.
Despite the fact the National and
local Governments have been practi-
cally the sole purchasers of trucks
equipped with solid tires for several
years past, and although it is univer-
sally admitted that this class of ve-
hicle damages the street to much
greater degree than vehicles of equal
weight equipped with inflated tires.
there Is no suggestion that such use
of these Vehicles by the Government
justifies q recommendation that the
C-nVarq rnay1t contribute hi0hrov "
costs"
Those who are technically informed
on the subject know that the fuel tax
is the only equitable method of taxing
motor vehicles, and the Bureau of Eff
cheney has found it necessary to ignore
recent testimony and delve into obso-
lete records in an effort to substanti-
ate any claim that the fuel tax is not
the most accurate measure Of the use
Of the highways. Any evidence given
prior to the adoption of pneumatic
tires for heavy vehicles would most nat
urally tend to show that heavy vehicles
would not be taxed equitably through a
fuel tax alone, because heavy vehicles
were then associated with solid tires
With the universal adoption of pneu-
matte tires on all classes of vehicles,
the situation has changed and the gaso-
line tax is now the only equitable meth
cd of taxing motor vehicles in proper
ton to their use of the road and the
possible damage they may do to it, as
slming there are proper limitations on
axle or wheel loads and suitable tire
requirements. If your committee will
call upon the y. S. Bureau of Public
Roads for the most up-to-date informa-
ton on this question, we are sure you
will have more valuable data than that
furnished by the Bureau of Efficiency
on this phase of the subject"
Summing up his arguments, Mr..
Fanciulh said those who feel the en-
tire cost of the streets of Washington
and administering the department OF
vehicles and traffic should be paid for
by direct taxes on motor vehicle own
ers must concede that the personal
property tax is such direct tax and
should be thus applied. The total of
all direct automotive taxes, and in
cluding the proceeds under the Borland
law, now produces within $1,300,000 of
the total of $4,000000 necessary to
cover all requirements.
U. S. Avoids Payment.
at would, therefore, seem that the
question to be determined is not
whether there should be imposed
weight tax. but whether or not the Fed
eral Government should contribute this
difference as its share of highway costs
or whether this difference should be
divided between the Federal Govern
ment and the general tax fund, in
consideration of the value of the city
streets to all citizens. Without adding
weight tax, an increase Of 2 cents in
the gas tax would produce more
revenue than is required and would
allow the Government to operate its
hundreds of solid-tired trucks without
paying anything for the damage they
may do"
Asked by Chairman Capper if he did
not think the vehicle taxes here should
be viewed the same as in the States
Mr.. Fanciulli said he thought there
would be no objection to that if
District vehicle owners could be sure
they would not have to pay similar taxes
in the adjacent areas Of Maryland and
Virginia He expressed the belief, how
ever, that should registration weight
tax be imposed here in addition to the
personal property and gas taxes, ad-
joining jurisdictions would feel that if
Congress required such tax for driv-
ing over the Federal streets in Wash
ington, they would be justified in i'm
posing similar taxes when the vehicles
cross the District line, as commercial
vehicles necessarily must 10.
Mr.. Murphy, speaking for the auto
mobile dealers organization, stressed
the point that the Mapes weight tax