Evening star., 1940-02-21
Protests Mount
On Higher DC
Auto Tax Scale
Study to Be Made
Of New Method
Of Valuation

While protests against the Dis
trict's new scale Of automobile as
sessment valuations continued to
mount, efforts were being made to-
day to determine whether the added
tax resulting from the new valua-
ton basis can be returned to mo.
torists.
Washington I. Cleveland, man.
ager of the District Motor Club of
the American Automobile Associa-
ton. announced that a conference
of A. A. A. officials had been called
to determine the reason for making
the change in valuation basis,
IF it develops that the increase
is unjustified." he said, I'VE will de-
malld that the former basis be used
in computing next years taxes and,
in addition, seek rebate to motorists
for additional taxes paid this year."
At the same time, George E.
Keneipp, manager of the Keystone
Automobile Club, criticized the
Board of Tax Appraisers for failing
to give some advance notice to mo-
torists of the new valuation basis
and the resultant tax increase.
Announced Last Night.
First public announcement Of the
new valuation scale was made by
A. B. Evans, member of the Board
of Tax appraisers, in talk last
night before the Advisory Board Of
A,rfNv,oN1Ni1n T1,,h
Mr.. Evans explained that assess
ments against automobiles this year
are being based on the average Of
the loan or trade-in value and the
resale or cash value of the car model
as contained in the national used.
car market report, known to the
automobile trade as the Red Book"
Last year. he explained. the as
sessment was made on the loan
value only.
To complaints that the new as
sessment method makes no allow
ance for depreciation. Mr.. Evans said
the board answers that former VAL
ues were too low. He pointed out
that the board is under bond to as
sess personal property as nearly as
possible at its actual value, and said
the new schedule would accomplish
that end with respect to automobiles.
IS to $40 Increases.
The change, it was learned, will re-
suit in IS to $40 tax increase for
some car models. Smaller increases
will be levied against other models.
Mr.. Keneipp said that while the
legal department of the Keystone
Club had expressed the opinion that
the Tax Board was within its rights
in setting the new scale, the action
Of the Board of Tax Appraisers this
year appears to have been somewhat
arbitrary"
If motorists had been prepared
for what was coming there would
have been bat little complaint in
all likelihood. he said.
Most car owners, when they have
calmly considered the new assess
ment method. will no doubt find
that this years assessment is not
excessive or out of line with the
value which they themselves place
on the car" he added. Certainly
no car owner would have sold his
car at the figure at which it was
assessed last year."
May Be Taken to Congress.
He emphasized that he believed
the new assessment "is anything
but a gouge on the part Of the
Board of Tax Appraisers. and most
of the indignation. in the opinion
of the Advisory Board, arises from
the fact that it came so suddenly
that it caught motorists of their
guard"
Mr.. Cleveland declared that "un-
less the matter is Strengthened out
by approaching District officials" !"
the entire matter will be brought to
the attention of the District commits
tees of Congress. He said the first
thing he and his associates intend
to do is determine definitely the new
formula and the reason for making
the change.