The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1955-02-04

The accounting section total of 35 people employed of
whom could be charged to the administration of
Weight Distance Tax
In 1854 the Weight Distance Tax in Oregon reached total
of revenue the Oregon Highway Com
mission to its highway 1t anticipated that
the 1866 would be approximately $2000O
AS an example of of administration 900
auds made 1854 costing the State of Oregon $780,
0OO However result of these audt there recovered
Oregon total of $433000 $20500O
than their cost
jurisdiction every years They not
that objective Currently there 27OO
subject audit in Oregon Slightly 1000 of
these old but 1000 of this number have
assigned auditors and viii be completed near
future like it when auds years
old, as it places an additional burden upon them.
1t emphasized to that the local field offices should
do much of the auditing possible in the interests of
better service
The average number to make
month decreasing 1t felt that this might be to
in Weight Distance rates. which could
lead evasion of the Not only do the
rates lead evasion but also increase the
minsation the greater auditing necessary
and checking required to prevent evasion
While Oregon attempts make 1909 audit of all
subject audit the Stanford Research Institute
mended instead spot checking accounts
Personnel in the accounting department felt that some
Weight Distance taxes lost due to the fact that their
fces closed Saturday Sunday they
some truckers taking advantage of that
Where freight increases have granted
opinion that the Weight Distance Tax small factor in
freight increases costs as labor material and
equipment advanced great deal than the
tax factor Sufficient important the building
of good highways and good highways trucking operators
money As example, Highway No. 80 running along
boundary between Oregon and Washington used
illustration The highway located Oregon MODERN
up to date water grade route This parallels Washington
highway which just the Columbia River Despite
fact that there Weight Distance Mileage Use in Ore
gon and Washington despite the that would
be easy matter for trucker Columbia
and travel the Washington highway informed that
Oregon Highway No. 80 was carrying an ever-ncreasing
amount of truck traffic.
The declaration by department heads that
state adopting Weight System must estab
ish good auditing department the
system function.
The reporting forms used for the Weight Distance Mileage
Tax by carriers subject to appear relatively simple
orm Carriers report among other things monthly mile
ge travelled inside the State of Oregon Payment this
computed by the reporting and payment
Usually attached to the monthly report
Thirty cent of the monthly reports
accounting section involved payments $500 less
ccordng to estimate furnished largest pay
menus made by one of the bigger operators amounted to
5955515 for the month of December In this
the Weight Distance Tax paid the Oregon by
hat firm for the total number miles travelled Oregon
pom its public highways.
The accounting department an IBM system but
arment heads would not Montana,
ecause monthly volume business would justify
ne sooo monthly rent Oregon is paying for such system
All commercial vehicles in the State Oregon whether
ley be private contract carriers
re Public Utilities Commission plates from
lis department. designating carrier According
he information furnished the committee there 1926
oerators operating under the Public Utilities Commission
hese operators $4,000 and each must
rry an identification plate. Of $780, approximately
1000 chose the flat fee.
here are certain trucks and trucking operations in the
te OF oregon that from the Weight Distance
ak and which in lieu thereof established by law
ne most important exemption under the Oregon the
empon OF all farm trucks In Oregon trucks pay no
eght distance Tax but pay registration fee somewhat
mar TO our Montana Gross Vehicle Weight system The tax
oregon such farm trucks at SOC 100
und actual weight of the truck unloaded Certain other
lcks and trucking operations Oregon entitled to use
Tat lee instead of paying the Weight Distance Tax and
Is rate zoe 100 pounds actual weight unloaded Of
vehicles)
Oregon studies highway use showed large number