Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-12-14
Maryland Unit Drops
Tag Fee Boost Plea
To Seek Other
Sources for
Road Funds
By GENE GOODWIN
Star Staff Correspondent

BALTIMORE. Dec. l4.-The
Maryland Roads Commission
plans to make no fight before
the State Legislature this WIN
ter for increased auto and truck
tag fees.
Chairman Robert o. Bonnell
said the commission instead will
seek to raise the ceiling on the
amount Of construction money it
can use for maintenance pur-
poses in order to get along
without the increased tag fees.
The commission. in a 20-point
legislative program, also plans to
ask for new laws which would:
L. Establish a $40 million re-
Ivolving fund for the commission
to use in acquiring rights-of-way
well in advance of highway prof.
ectS in sections where it foresees
sharp increases in land costs.
2. Raise the speed limit on
dual-lane expreSsways from SIS
to go miles an hour, with author
lily to reduce the limit when and
If it is deemed necessary.
3. Prohibit outdoor movie
screens from being visible from
State highways because they
constitute an unsafe distraction
for motorists.
Lost Fee Battles
The roads commission has had
a running battle with State
Legislative leaders about the
higher motor vehicle registration
fees, which originally were
scheduled to help finance the
States l2-year roads program.
When the 12-year program
was approved by the 1853 Legis-
lature, the financing timetable
called for a penny increase in
the State gasoline tax to 6 cents
a gallon in 1853 and the registra-
ton fee increase in 1855. The
fees were to go up from SIS to
$50 on lighter passenger cars
and from $23 to $50 on the
heavier cars, with corresponding
increases for trucks.
Each year since the 1853 ses-
sion, the Legislature has post q
poned the fee increases over
the opposition of the commits
sion. The 1856 session passed
laws postponing the higher fees
until April. 1858.
| Since 1858 is an election year,
it is likely legislative leaders will
favor a further postponement in
the 1857 session, scheduled to
open for a 90-day stand on jan
uary 2 in Annapolis.
State Senator Frederick C.
MalkuS. Democrat Of Dorchester,
said he will introduce a bill this
year to permanently cancel the
fee increases. rather than a mere
poStponement for another year.
Mr.. Malkus was chief sponsor Of
previous postponement measures.
Revenue Earmarked
Revenue the roads commission
derives from registration fees is
earmarked by law for mainte-
nance of highways. The law
also permits the commission to
transfer no more than SO million
a year from its construction
funds to make up any deficit in
the maintenance account.
Present tag revenues. plus SO
million, will not be sufficient 70
pay increasing maintenance
costs, the commission argues.
Therefore, If it is not going to
receive increased tag revenue, it
wants the Legislature to raise
this construction fund transfer
ceiling to 81 million.
The requested right-of-way
fund would save great amounts
of State money" according TO
Joseph d. Buscher, special as
sistant attorney general in
charge Of the commissions legal
affairs.
Right-of-way costs have in
creased 81 per cent over esti-
mates made in the l2-year pro-
gram, which started on January
/, 1854.
Mr.. Buscher said that among
other legislative proposals Of
the commission is a bill TO re-
quire that dual-wheel trucks in r
stall fender guards over rear
wheels ITO prevent the throwing
of stone or other damaging ma
lterial against the windshields Of
passing or passed vehicles"