Evening star., 1937-05-27
Diversion of Tax on Motor.
lists Hit by Keneipp at
Supply Bill Hearing.
ASKS FEES BE PUT
WITH GASOLINE LEVY
Highway Program Involving Cost
of So, 100000 Proposed
by Official.
BY ]. A. O'LEARY.


automobile revenues was urged by the
Keystone Automobile Club of Wash
tngton at todays hearing on the 1888
District supply bill.
George E. Keneipp manager of the
club, said the present gasoline tax
law, confined to expenditures for high
way and bridge Improvements, is all
right as far as it goes. He contended,
however, that automobile registration,
permit and title fees are just as def
nitely special motor vehicle taxes. At
present, these fees go into the District S
general fund.
He suggested that these motorist
fees go into the proposed highway
fund along with the gas tax. Citing
figures to show the gas tax and other
fees paid by motorists will greatly
exceed the amount that would be
spent under the House bill for high
ways and the Department of We
hlcles and Traffic, Keneipp's organ
ization requested that the highway
program for next year be brought up
to about $3,900,000 He summed up
the clubs position as follows
The Keystone Automobile Club of
Washington has always believed that
as long as there is need for desir-
able and necessary highway projects
1t seems entirely proper and fair to
assess the expense Of these projects
against those who will benefit from
their use.
Stand of Motorists.
For instance, it IS our opinion
that the motorists of the District
would not object to an increase in
the gasoline tax or the imposition of a
weight tax. provided the revenue de-
rived from these sources was to be
used solely for those things which
would help expedite the flow of traf-
flc and promote greater safety on
the streets.
Recently the director of highways,
Capt. H. c. Whitehurst, submitted to
the Engineer Commissioner for con-
sideration 5-year highway PLAN
ming program. This program embraced
such projects as the redesigning Of
Thomas and Scott Circles to meet
traffic needs, underpasses for street
cars under Dupont and Thomas
Circles, the construction OF an ele-
waited highway starting at Twenty
eighth and K streets, rising to suffi-
cient height to provide grade sepa-
ration CT K street and the Rock Creek
and Potomac Parkway for through
traffic, the construction of suitable
safety islands. etc.
Reaction Of an overwhelming ma
jority of the motorists Of the District
was very favorable to these proposals.
1t is believed there would be little OBJ
lection offered by motorists to paying
slightly increased taxes If the increase
would bring about completion of these
desirable projects at an early date.
Need for Improvements.
"As long as there is great need for
improvements such as these, it seems
indefensible to impose additional taxes
on motorists to raise revenue for pur-
poses in no way related to projects
which are so badly needed in a city
which is fast getting to the point
where traffic congestion Is almost un-
bearable to motorist and pedestrian
alike"
The keystone Club also recon-
mend restoration of a $4,000 item for
school gardens and an appropriation
to enable the traffic director to en-
ploy extra help during the rush period
Of issuing annual license plates.
Urges More Policemen.
r~1l;y,r Of ~.
trahic fatalities, Washington I. Cleve-
land, manager Of the District Motor
Club OF the A. A. A., urged that ad-
dittonal police be provided for full
time traffic duty.
The A. A. A. spokesman also de-
clared there should be no diversion
Of motor vehicle revenues for purposes
other than construction and mainte-
nance of streets and highways. He
also requested elimination of House
items that would dip into the gaso-
line fund for number of non-highway
expenditures"
TO meet the street and highway
needs Of the District" Cleveland said.
lit Will be necessary to expend all of
the funds that are raised through
motor vehicle taxation. After expend-
ing all available motor vehicle rev.
enues for these purposes there will un-
doubtedly still exist construction items
OF vital necessity. Accordingly the
American Automobile Association re-
iterates its firm conviction that there
should be no diversion Of motor vehicle
revenues for purposes other than con-
struction and maintenance of streets
and highways in the District of Co.
lumbia."
Cites Need for Officers.
Turning to the need for additional
traf1c officers, he said:
mo amount Of effort to reduce traf-
flc accidents and to regulate the flow
Of traffic will be effective unless there
Is adequate law enforcement. The
number Of vehicles registered in the
District continues to increase, the VOL
ume Of traf11c flowing on our streets
and highways is multiplying year oy
year and SO far this year the number
Of accidents and fatalities has In
creased by alarming proportions"
School Glasses Sought.
A plea for establishment Of eight
school classes In the western end Of
the city was made by spokesmen for
large group of organizations. Among
those who presented the petition were
Dorsey Hyde and Mr. and Mrs. Joseph
r. Lyddane
The House bill specifies that $4,000
be used for night school service in the
) western section, but did not increase
the total allotment for night school
expenses above this years appropria-
ton. The civic groups pointed out
that q night school at Western High,,