The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-07-26
STATE
 LICENSE SYSIEM
College Professor Would Substitute Gas Tax for
 Registration Fee
EXPLAINS WORKINGS

Establishment of Counecticut's system of motor vehicle registra- ton fee charges. and the levyinE of an additional one cent a gallon tax on gasoline in order to bring about a more eQuable distribution of the automobile tax burden. are recommended by Dr George B. Clarke, assistant economist of the Connecticut Agricultural college and secretary of the Connecticut Agricultural tax committee
 "The proposal that the gasoline tax be increased by one cent q gallon Is not besaed on an attempt to collect more from the long suf- ferIng motorists than he already pays, but is part of an effort to readjust motor vehicle taxation in such a way as to make it easier of administration and better suited to governmental needs as we'll as fair CT to the automobile owner" Dr Clarke explained.
 Under the present system. the owner of an automobile in Con- necticut pays q fairly high regis tration fee depending upon the piston displacement of his car and bearing no relation to the auto mobiles first cost or later depre- citation, pr Clarke pointed out. Besides paying the registration fee, the motorist pays . three dol lar annual fee for his drivers It. cense, Q personal property tax, and q two-cent tax on every gallon or gasoline that he buys besides the new federal tax of one cent gal- lon," the economist said. No wonder then that people should look somewhat aghast at any pro- posal to increase this burden," he added.
 "The registration tax is regres- sive in that 1t disregards tho value of the property and the ability of the owner to pay in determinlng the amount due," pr Clarke, "The present method of automobile tax ation has seeral defects" he said, Tt taxes heavily the resident of Connecticut and bears lightly on the out .state motorist travelling In this state," pr Clarke explained, ''The total tax is collected tn var lous ways and by various authori- ties, U practice which adds to the cost and uncertainty Of collection, The state tax commissioner reports that reliable estimate places the loss of revenue through failure or assessors to list all motor vehicles and failure of collectors to collect the personal property tax on many others Ut $300,00 annually"
 To remedy the llfeulties and un- fairness In motor vehicle taxation, pr Clarke suggested that the mVtor | Ca aAAntA Ina AAfoRn mined by . fixed rate on the man. ufacturers sales price of the ear when new, appreciated from year to wear according to some stand- ard method, but with a certain minimum below which the fee could not 20, Tn addition Co the nresent tax. one cent q gallon tax on gasoline should be instituted 90 that those who use the roads would pay in proportion to usage,
 "Registratlon fees fixed in.sueh a manner should be In lieu of any personal property tax on the gar and should be divided between the state and the town in which the car owner lives In order to com. pensato tho town for the loss ol the personal property tax" the economist stated.
 Tn taxing automobile, pr Clark iB of the opinion that the genera principle should Do followed that the tax on the ownership of motor vehicle should be eompara. lively light and the tax on gasolint comparatively heavy in order tha, the motorists tax should be largely based on his use of the road and make possible the eut.of.state't 't drivers payment of q just amour. in proportion to his use of Cen' neetieut roads.
 "Taxlng the automobile heavily ny property with low tax on gasoline favorB the motorist from other states at the expense or oNl own eitlyens," Dr Clarke asserted, A gasoline tax higher than that of the neighboring states Of Mas. saehusettB and New York, should be guarded against to prevent the bootlegging pf gasoline which would destroy tho effectiveness Of such taxation in yielding the state and towns sufficient revenue, Df Clarke cautioned.
 In order that Connecticut resi-. dents may better understand eur rent problemB of taxation, especial ]. | ly financial problems of the small towns, A statewide conference will | be held at the Connecticut Agfieul. turai college this Wednesday.
 The conference will open al fO.30 n. m. with q talk on sound town finance and an explanation ei the explanation of the reeommeh- dations of tho Connecticut Agrieul. turai tax committee by Dr Clarke William fl. Blodgett, state tax com. missioner, will discuss the weak. ncsBes of town financing and sug. gest improvements. Edward " Hall, state commissioner of finane, and control, will give an account of the financial position of the state and point out the measures neees. Bary to preserve the states record of living within It's means.
 Invitations to attend tho confer. ence have been extended to select. men and others interested in town financial affairs by Dr Charles c l MaftpapkA,. nPAatnasAt af tha aaiiaoa