Evening star., 1932-12-04
AUTO HEADS PLAN
WAR ON TAXATION
Battle Line to Include Pas.
senger and Commercial
Cars.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
DETROIT, December 3.-Automobile
manufacturers have declared war
against a common foe-taxation. They
are battling against 1t on two fronts,
both Nation wide in extent as affecting
highway transportation in general. The
main fighting line takes in the entire
field of passenger and commercial car
operation. Truck operation and the
business structure Of commercial haul
ing constitute the other
Last year owners of &c, 900 900 motor
vehicles in America paid more than
1000, 100000 in gasoline taxes, license
fees and other State and municipal
levies.
The automobile magnates have taken
arms against tax proposals now on the
agenda of Legislatures in many States
and which, If enacted, would have an
adverse effect on the livelihood of
100000 persons who normally are en-
gagged in the manufacture, sale and use
Of automotive products.
Led by General Motors
In Detroit the offensive is led by
General Motors Corporation and a mass
meeting Of those concerned has been
called for next week. The G. M. lead
tention to the critical situation facing
highway transportation in general when
the Legislatures of A States convene
for the 1893 sessions.
They point out that some States
already have passed bills regulating the
weight and length of hauling equip
ment end have placed on the law books
tax restrictions which have all but put
the trucks of the highways.
What was a critical situation has
become acute bevause of anti-truck
projected on Nationwide
basis and supported by publicity. The
claim is made that trucks are not pay
ing sufficient taxes to build and main
tain highways. In answer, automo-
tive leaders contend that truck OPP
orators, which include companies own
ing large fleets, already pay 27 per cent
of the motor vehicle taxes, although
they represent only IL to IL per cent
of highway traffic.
Would Lower Weight.
Drastic restrictions are being recon-
to compel reduction of truck
weights. In contravention, the tests
made by the United States Bureau Of
Public Roads are cited to prove that
tired vehicles do not cause
injury to well constructed pavement.
As an example of taxation already
enacted and further measures submit
ted as bills, the situation in Alabama
has been cited. In that State 10000
pound maximum gross weight for COM
mercial vehicles was proposed with no
four wheel trailers allowed. Later, the
gross weight was raised to 10000 pounds
and the legislation went through on
October Z last.
Other bills propose a mileage tax for
both buses and trucks used as COM
mon carriers and contract carriers and
a mileage tax on trucks used In the
delivery of merchandise sold in the
of any business enterprise.
On fuel taxation, the Alabama legis-
lators are said to have brought forward
a new bill calling for cents more on
each gallon Of gasoline. The present
State tax Is cents, with Federal tax
of / cent, and motorists n several Ala
bama cities pay a Scent county tax In
addition to a 2-cent city tax, totaling
IL cents on each gallon.
In Michigan, companies that build
trucks and commercial vehicles fear at
tempts will be made to prohibit the
use of four wheel trailers altogether.
and that Kentucky's law requiring
governors on all trucks made be passed
not only here but in many other States.
As one means of combating legisla-
tive action, those behind the movement
here are advocating that signs be placed
on trucks reading:
This vehicle paid tax of So. last
year for using this highway.
The truck industry Is clearing It's
decks for the battle to be faced In
g. ,,ju f1yn
ducers, parts and accessories makers
and raw materials suppliers to help.
On the passenger car side, action
toward national organization was ef-
fected recently. Alfred P. Sloan, Jr.,
head Of General Motors, is chairman
of the advisory board Of a new pro-
tective group known as the National
Highway Users Conference, Of which
State units are being formed. with
headquarters in Washington.
Conference Set Up.
The conference has been set up as a
crosS-section of all those concerned in
safeguarding the interests OF highway
users, whether the owners OF private
cars or operators Of commercial venl-
cles. More that so groups were repre-
sented at the initial meeting The
AMERICAN AuJOtIlOUDc kAoooShoeAoAA, eAAS
American Petroleum Institute and the
Rubber Manufacturers Association took
part and lent support.
The effect of tax inroads already
made on motor vehicle operation may
be judged from statement OF A. j:
Scaife, president of the Society OF
Automotive Engineers, who points out
that 711,000 fewer cars were registered
in 1881 throughout the United States
than in 1880. The American Automo-
bile Association estimates that the de-
crease since the first Of the year has
been at the rate of 100000 vehicles per
month.
This means that hundreds Of thou
sands Of owners no longer are able to
pay registration fees and operating
and repair costs, and are laying their
cars up.
Copyright, 1892, by North American News
paper Alliance, lnc.)