Evening star., 1953-01-30
Maryland Bill
Sets Use Tax
On Big Trucks
Successful Fight
By Truckers Muy
Hit Rood Program
By Gene Goodwin
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ANNAPOLIS, Jan. 3O.-A high
way use tax for big trucks one
Of Maryland's thornieSt issues
was proposed to the General AS
sembly today by two Montgom-
cry County Republican delegates.
The Maryland Motor Truckers
Association, which already has
thrown one big party for the
lawmakers, can be expected now
to haul out its big guns. The
fight is on.
The truck tax bill. introduced
in the House by Delegates John
PAUL Marshall and Mrs. Kath-
ryn Lawlor, is identical with one
adopted two years ago by New
York State.
Itswould impose a tax. primar-
lily on Interstate trucks, accord
ing to weight and number Of
miles travelled. The tax would
start at six-tenths Of cent per
mile on a gross weight Of $4,000
pounds. It would increase then
at about one-tenth Of a cent for
each additional ton until a max
imum Of "a cents per mile for
a gross weight Of $4,000 pounds
was reached.
Like 1851 Bill.
The proposal is similar to q
1851 bill that tied the Legisla-
ture in knots. The 1861 measure.
recommended by the so-called
Case Tax Survey Commission.
died In committee In both cham
bers. Mr.. Marshall sponsored the
House version Of that bill.
If such a snarl develops in this
session on the bill, it might tie
up the State Roads Commissions
1858 million. 12-year highway
program.
Although Mr.. Marshall insisted
in a statement that his bill is
not in any way in conflict with
the Governors program Of high
way construction. it is likely that
many lawmakers will grab UP
the truck tax as q good. means Of
financing the huge highway pro-
gram.
There already have been rum
blings against the present plan
to finance the 12-year program
with q penny increase in the
gaSolie tax and higher automo-
bile registration fees.
Tie Could Be Fatal.
II the truck tax Is pushed as a
financial prop for the l2-year
plan,e the resultant opposition
from some lawmakers and the
truckers lobby could sidetrack
the whole program.
Conceding that his proposal is
controversial, Mr.. Marshall said
the Purpose Of this bill is to
provide that among highway
users the cost Of constructing
and maintaining our roads is
fairly and equitably appor-
toned. y
Before my friends In the
trucking industry get too excit-
ed" Mr.. Marshall told the House
in introducing the measure, II
want to point out that this bill
is not a punitive measure. It is
not the bill recommended by the
Case Commission, nor is 1t a bill
prepared by the railroad inter-
ests."
He said it is identical to the
New York law, which does not
apply to more than 10 per cent
Of the trucks registered in that
State.
In addition to all trucks under
Ia, 900 pounds gross, the bill ex-
emptS from the tax any trucks
used by farmers or Government
agencies and those used ex-
clusively in one municipality or
within the limits of any zone
established by the Public Service
Commission.
Wants Full Hearings.
1--WE do not say our bill is the
answer" the Montgomery dele
gate declared. 1T is an approach
which we favor. and we certainly
hope full hearings will be held
by the Ways and Means Com
mittee at which both proponents
and opponents can state their
position.
mo one will deny that there
is a great need for expanded
networks Of good highways in
this State and an insuf1iciency
Of funds to provide for such con-
struction."
The Case Commission esti-
mated that its 1851 recon-
nendation would have produced
about 81 million in new State
revenues annually.
Mr.. Marshall told reporters
he is waiting for another truck
bill.
It would lower the legal truck
weight limit from $4,000 pounds
per axle to $4,000 pounds. The
/ trf1clxarS' association Nan ho
counted on to oppose that