The people's voice., 1954-02-05
OTHER HIGHWAY FINANCING SOURCES BESIDES
GAS TAX BOOST ARE AVAILABLE

Some of the of the state persist carrying
convince Montana motorists that the ONLY
funds be secured to finance highway program
through an increased tax gasoline
One of the principal proponents of increasing the tax is the
GREAT FALLS TRIBUNE-the paper thousands of
Montana people the states most reliable source OF forma
ton Why the Trb behaves husy matter of conjecture.
Surely the Tb has sufficient staff that the spirit wled
that large daily could carry on the research necessary TO prove
to and all increased tax NOT the ONLY source of
additional highway revenue
But assuming the possibility that the Trbs
men does not have force to conduct such an
cation possibly its editors will appreciate little assistance
from the research staff" of THIS publication
THE TRIBUNE OUGHT TO KNOW-it costs than
three times much to build mile of road withstand heavy
truck traffic does to build mile of road for and light
trucks Information Subcommittee of o. S. Senate
Interstate Commerce).
THE TRIBUNE OUGHT TO KNOW-trucks are causing
ratio of deterioration of 16o comparison with private drv
(Source Official records of Office of Governor State of
Pennsylvania, while James H. Duff Governor)
THE TRIBUNE OUGHT TO KNOW-that the Maryland
road tests proved beyond shadow of doubt the longhed
contention of R. H. Badock Oregon chief highway engineer
that ony seriously destroy roadbg trucks and
weather. with considerably than half of the destruction
being directly chargeabe to the trucks Source Maryland
Road Tests and Oregon State Highway DEPARTMENT.
THE TRIBUNE OUGHT TO KNOW-the average motorist
"a cents taxes ton 100 miles the road
long only II for the tonme accommodations
(Source: Harper's Magazine October, 1922
THE TRIBUNE OUGHT TO KNOW-trucks using diesel
fuel get 662 cent miles gallon of diesel than dol
trucks of same capacity using gasoline For example,
h. diesel truck and trailer combination gets miles to the gal
Ion while gasfueed truck of capacity gets only miles
to the gallon Yet diesel fuel and gasoline both taxed
cents gallon by the State of Montana Source State and
federal highway agencies.)
THE TRIBUNE OUGHT TO KNOW-that truckers operat
ing Montana considerably less highway than in
practically other state in the nation Washington truckers
just about twice much do Montana truckers Oregon
truckers approximately three times much All Montana
trucks and aers Buses etc. between $4,000 and $4,000
vehicle weight had they been taxed under the Washington law
instead of Montana 1852 would have paid S863 13O
stead of the $459O5O received by Montana for highway
from these road destroying monsters Source Montana
and Washington state highway departments.)
These only few Of the salient points uneahed in
than two investigation by the research staff of THE
VOICE on the question of Who shall for our highways
but possibly they will be Of value the editors of The Tribune
Whether not they inspire that great da staff to look
further into and of financing Montana highways is
not within province to One thing for
an however, that this that increased gasoline
tax is the ONLY needed highway funds is
all poppycock whether it's pedded by the trucking association
the state Chamber of Commerce. THE GREAT FALLS TRIB
UNE!