Milford chronicle., 1952-02-01
COMMUNICATED
-COMMUNTCATED-
Mr.. Masten Takes Exception
To BabsOn ArticJe In Chronicle

Ihe Following communication 10
selI-eXplanatory and gives the
truckers side of a CONTROVERSIAL
problem.-Editor.
January "A, 1852
Mr.. Marshall Townsend, Editor
Milford Chronicle
Milford, Delaware
Dear Sir:
In your issue of January Is. 1852
there appeared an article entitled
Babson Discusses the Roads .
winch l consider an insult to the
intelligence OF the people of Kent
and Sussex Counties. / saw that
because in this article Mr.. Babson
levels several charges against the
trucking industry, which will not
stand up under examination of the
true facts. It's particularly an in
suit to our community where we
nave learned that the very econom-
ic existence of not only Milford
but of the entire Delmarva Penin-
sula depends on the trucking in
dustry.
1t has been through the efficient.
nexible and quick service of trucks
that the many agricultural and
poultry products of this area are
moved to the large Eastern mar
kets. Any producer, manufactur-
er, Gamer, or farmer in this area
Will tell you that the truck makes
up the life blood of the whole econ
omy Of this community. The farm
er relies upon trucking for the final
distribution of his crops, and also
for the delivery of tons of fertiIiz-
ers and lime going into his land
yearly. The proprietor of any gro
Gerry, drug, clothing, or hardware
store in Milford will tell Won that
he depends almost wholly on
trucks to bring him his merchan-
disc. We must Snot lose sight OF
the fact that in the future any in.
dustries being attracted to this reg.
ion will depend upon the trucking
industry for their supply and dis.
tributiOn.
AS a responsible, tax-paying cit,
izen of this community, who ha!
always gladly accepted his civi,
obligations, and since the liveli
hood Of many families in this area
other than my own employees, de
J pend upon the continued efficien
and profitable operation of our bus
iness, l feel obliged to point on
here certain facts in response Z
the anti-truck allegations appear
ing in the BabsOn article, whic
follows so closely the pattern @
railroad propaganda being fed t
the public through various meth
DDS today.
In one respect, I must agree wit
I Mr.. BabsOn's article, and that is i
appreciation of his concern owe
the cOngested condition of ou
cOuntry's streets and highways tC
day, but I object to his under
standing and approach to the i'll
= of our highway system.
b Mr.. BabsOn's concern of last wee
is my concern of So weeks a veal
/ am deeply concerned with tn
adequacy and quality of our street
and highways for several reasons
only one of which is that l pa,
over $4,000 per month in the wa,
of gasoline, oil, and registratio-
taxes for our Delaware operatio
alone. l want to get my money
l worth out of my highway dollar.
- Trucks do pay their fair shaI
+ of highway user taxes--a third, a
9 though they number only 17To
! the vehicles on the roads. In tern
i of the main highways, on whiC
= they do most of their travelling, Il
: percentage would be far highe
l believe I'm justified in sayiT
3. that truck operators aren't con
u planning about the taxes they no
. pay. but feel they should be give
Z credit for their sizeable tax col
/ tribution-a billion and a quart,
{ dollars in 1951-instead of beir
made the whipping boy for Il
highway ills now confronting Il
= country.
: The trouble is simple: Our higl
} way system, although the create
: in the world, has been simply on
e grown by the demands put upon
q Fifty million vehicles now are con
peting for space on highways thi