The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1938-06-02
By HARRY w. NICE,
Governor of Maryland

license tags. Because of the fact that
this promise has not been carried out,
the whole issue requires open clarifi-
cation. That is what here purpose to
set forth. l shall endeavor to do it as
simply as possible, but, above all,
frankly and honestly.
My advocacy of the 81 license fee
rested primarily on the picture of the
States finances which was presented
to the public by the state administra-
ton which was in power during the
1884 campaign. If that picture had
been correct, my plan was sound. But
certain facts regarding the financial
condition of our state were concealed
until after the election. The inevitable
disclosure of these hitherto concealed
facts changed the whole situation.
Must Be Recalled
Now that it becomes incumbent up
on me to make full explanation of the
entire set of conditions which sur
rounded the failure of the 81 license
fee plan, it is necessary to call atten-
ton to this apparently deliberate
concealment of our deplorable finan-
cial situation in 1884. To be forced to
do this when the leader Of that ad-
miristration is no longer with us on
earth is not an enviable position in
which to be placed. l therefore ap-
proach the entire subject with under
standable personal and official regret
and reluctance. Yet the issue must
be met.
l do not try to build up an alibi. l
make no apology for the lack of
achievement of the 81 tag. l am mere
ly telling the facts as they have de-
veloped.
Earnestly Approached
1t is very easy for irresponsible or
malicious opponents to brand mans
campaign promises as the insincere
vaporings of political officeseeker.
That is what certain groups have tried
to do with the license fee issue. here
make the unequivocal statement that
no individual, whether in public life or
private, has ever approached situa-
it's efficacy than did in 1884. Nor
was my determination to reduce this
average of $3.50 per car registration
an empty hope unfounded on actual
figures. Before | committed myself to
50 tags, l consulted with officials Of
various automobile clubs, with fnan-
ciers, and with others supposedly IA
miliar with the States financial setup.
l had carefully scrutinized the Off
cial promulgations of the states fl
nancial officers, notably the estimates
of income from the gasoline tax and
the Motor Vehicle Commissioners Of
flee. | also had examined the govern
or's budget presentation to the legis-
lature of 1888, and the figures therein
bearing on the condition of the states
! treasury. Further, had examined the
comptroller's report of early in 1884,
containing the latest available re-esti-
mates of these financial conditions.
The Republican Plank
| After careful consideration of avail
able figures, helped to write into the
Republican platform the following
language:
''In 1922, when the present admins
tration first proposed the original gas
Oline tax, the motorists were promised
in exchange for their approval of this
undertaking that when revenue from
the gasoline tax equalled the horse
power revenue, that thereafter the tag
charge would be reduced to nominal
figure of 81. The promise was given
the Court of Appeals recognized the
plain meaning of the promise, but it is
needless to call attention to the fact
that it has been repudiated and re.
mains untitled.
We pledge ourselves tt
procure reduction of the cost of tags
to fiat rate of ST."
During the gubernatorial campaign
| used such figures as had been made
public. | argued, and, to my own sat
isfaction, demonstrated that on the
basis of these figures, while reduc
ton in the rate charged for the regis
tration of pneumatic-tired vehicles
would result in a reduction of income
available for highway purposes, sucl
: reduction would be slight in 1884, ant
entirely overcome in 1885, providet
the estimates of the increase of high
: way income made by the states fisca
officers were even approximately re
allied.
Basic Estimates
What were these figures of tn
states finances issued by the then of
fcials of the states-the figures o.
the basis of which we discussed the is