Evening star., 1933-12-31

Census, consisted of 63,sO4 vehicles of
which 42,8l8 were passenger cars, 49,
ATS trucks and 1,611 taxicabs as COM
pared with 1873, ,485 vehicles in October,
59.557 vehicles in November, 1882, and
68,867 vehicles In November, 1881.
When a host of visitors throng Grand
Central Palace for the thirty-fourth
annual national automobile show next
Saturday afternoon and evening (Janu-
ary g. they will see in the offerings Of
rs or more complete car makers certain
novel points of superiority. In all
probability, it will be generally con-
ceded that there is not one of these
cars for which preference will not be
shown over its predecessor in last years
group, selling at approximately the
same price. Nor will such preference
be based on mechanical improvements,
but rather on reasons of obvious and
purpoSeful advancement quite evident
to the layman. The new types will re-
veal the ability of the industry as a
whole to adapt itself to changing con-
ditionS; to develop new standards COM
bining high technique with artistic
beauty.
Greater Safety Seen.
Furthermore visitors will see a de-
cidedly different appearing galaxy OF
models from those exhibited last year.
Some of these naturally will appeal to
the average prospective buyer more than
others. But regardless of body lines,
colorings and details, all of them will
be found to have one great improve
ment in common-a greater safety fac
tor than ever before. Safety features
are noticeable, too. For example, there
is much better visibility for the driver
ond for poceapoarS PadpsioOed froDt
ends with improved steering assemblies
permit of high road speeds with ease Of
handling. Much is claimed for the new
independent front-Wheel suspension as
a safety feature. Greater rigidity Of
frames and the use of stabilizers, both
at front and at the rear, counteract the
effects of centrifugal forces when round
ing curves. Automatic controls permit
Of complete attention to traffic and
driving New types of headlights pro-
viding varying levels Of beams. for
lighting the right side of the roads and
eliminating glare. are controlled by
either a dash switch or button on the
toeboard. Safety or non-shatterable
glass is universally used.
Taxes Paid Per Minute.
Motorists of the country pay special
motor taxes to the Federal, State and
local governments at the rate of 81 041
a minute.
This tax bill amounts to S122, 1888 an
hour, or S2947, ,992 a day
These figures we're made public by
the District of Columbia Division of the
American Automobile Association. which
declared that motorists pay 107 per
cent of all taxes from all sources.
In 1882" said the A. A. A., motor
lists paid a total of S1,067, ,706,254 in
special motor taxes This total repre-
SentS an average tax per vehicle OF
s44- "a. or 300 per cent more than the
average tax per vehicle in 1919.
'On the basis of valuation of all
motor vehicle property in 1882, namely,
S4,543, ,767 472, the total taxes amounted
to 235 per cent. Thus in the course Of
seven years, the average life period of
motor vehicle, the average car owner
will pay 1645 per cent of the average
value of his property in special motor
taxes.
THE gasoline tax bill alone is now
in the vicinity of S600000 900 a year.
the tax rates ranging from 3l3 to IL
cents a gallon"
The A. A. A. pointed out that regis
tration fees have been reduced in a
number of States. and this is the only
form of tax relief given to motorists in
recent years.
These reductions" the statement
continued, have already had the effect
of easing resigtrations. particularly
in States where the registration and
license fees we're high. Thus it is evil
dent that excessive taxes discourage car
ownership and use"