Evening star., 1933-01-19
proposed Gas Tax Increase.

lie COIlSlASl dIC u1lo 6SAlSAoAAy "P
preciated proposition by the Senate
District Committee of compromise on
the gas tax increase and its recon-
mendation Of an additional tax OF one
instead Of two cents q gallon do not
remove the basic objections to increas-
ing the local tax burden in any respect
at this time.
II there existed deficiency or antici-
pated shortage in revenues Tor highway
work, or if the need existed for en-
barking on an enlarged program OF
highway building and street repair in
Washington. an increase in the gasoline
tax might be justified on the grounds
Of necessity But no such condition IN
relation to local streets and highways
exists.
The purpose of the increased gasoline
tax is to relieve the general tax fund,
to which the Federal Government
directly contributes through the lump
sum, of that part of the total high
way cost to be borne by the increased
gas tax-about sl,l25,o0 The Federal
Government pays no gasoline tax. II,
In turn, this relief to the general fund
were reflected by much-needed reduc-
ton In general property taxes, 1t might
be argued that such transfer OF tax
loads was in a sense justified.
But the increase in the gasoline tax
will mean, to overtaxed Washingto-
mans an increase in their total tax
burden, with no offsetting reductions
in other taxes. Granting that avail
able tax revenues are barely enough
to cover costs of municipal maintenance
and provide some improvements, the
reason for this Is not the undertax-
alton of Washingtonians, but is due
to the reduction in the Federal con-
tribution. If the Federal Government,
in turn, Is hard pressed for revenues, it
means that Wash.ngtonians will be
called upon through higher Federal
taxation to make up their part of the
deficit. In view Of current and anticipat-
ed increase of the Federal tax burden, on
top Of local tax burdens, citizens every
where are reducing their local taxes.
In Washington the proposal is to in
crease both local and Federal taxation
at time when ability to pay has been
materially curtailed.
II the gasoline tax Is to be increased,
the increased revenues could appropri-
ately, and as many times suggested, be
used to make possible the repeal of the
so-called Borland act. That law, basic
ally unfair, has been riddled by the
courts and the workings of the amend
ed instrument have added inequity to
neQuity. If enacted, the gasoline tax
increase should certainly do away with
the Borland law, lock, stock and barrel.
The gasoline tax would be far more
equitable and suitable way to secure the
revenue represented by the Borland
method of assessing for what, in many
cases, are non-existent benefits"
The Senators propose to extend the
use Of the gasoline tax to construction
and maintenance Of parkways and park
roads would, as the Bureau of Eff
cheney pointed out, levy an inequitahle
charge against motor vehicle owners by
placing an njustified share OF park i'm
provement work on their shoulders.
Such expense should properly be
charged to the general tax revenues and
to the park-planning, park-purchasing
and park-owning Federal Government.
The tendency to work good horse to
death is no more clearly shown any
where than in the increasing burdens
placed on the effective and easily-col-
lected gasoline tax.