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Show IRS Investigates Fuel Rationing Could Hurt York. Utah will use nearly 683 million gallons of motor fuel for - highway purposes this year, an amount equal to 591 gallons per capita. Total highway consumption of motor fuel in the Mountain States will equal 5,962 million gallons in 1973 or about 652 gallons per person. In other words, per capita consumption of Motor fuel in Utah is about 11 per cent above the U.S. average, while Mountain States per capita consumption is nearly 23 percent higher than the average for the nation. Foundation analysts explain that the greater distances that must be traveled between points in the less populated states probably account for the relatively greater motor fuel consumption in many of the Mountain States. In addition, most of the Eastern states have sophiscticated. public transportation systems that make them far less dependent upon . In addition to investigating all complaint of petroleum price in- private highway travel than the western states. A major factor in the greater per capita fuel consumption in Utah and the Mountain States is that these states generally have more motor vehicles in relation to population than most other states. In Utah, for example, there are 682 registered motor vehicles per 1,000 population or nearly 15 per cent more than the U.S. average. The difference is even greater for all eight Moun-ti- n States which have 736 vehicles per 1,000 population, a ratio more than 24 percent over the U.S. average of 593 vehicles per 1,000 population. Although Utah and all the other Mountain States rank far above the national average in gasoline consumption per capita and the number of motor vehicle registrations per 1,000 population, the picture is mixed with respect to motor fuel usage per vehicle. The Foundation study shows that the average registered vehicle in the U.S. will consume 897 gallons of motor fuel or nearly 17 gallons per week. In Utah the motor fuel usage will average 866 gallons per vehicle, or 16.7 gallons per week. In the eigth Mountain States, the average fuel consumption will come to 885 gallons per vehicle or 17 gallons per week. In summary, the Foundation concludes that if a national rationing or allocation system is established for motor fuel use by the general public, Utah and most of these other Mountain States would fare better if the quotas are based on the number of registered motor vehicles or present fuel usage rather than on population. Utah, for example would receive about a 15 per cent higher allocation if the system were based entirely on the registered motor vehicles instead of one based entirely on population. City Auditor Jones Lists Woes of Salt Lake's Financial Condition (Continued from page 1) own utility tax. Mr. Harmsen has been asked to submit sample legislation by the Legislative Council. Utility bills carry a 4 per cent city tax within Salt Lake City in addition to a 4.5 per cent state sales tax. Mr. Jones estimates that if the utility tax was lifted it could bring into the city financial programs some $2 million. Along with the shortage of money for goods and services Mr. Jones reports that the city should pay its employees a 10 per cent cost of living increase July 1. Thats doublt the five per cent planned by the citys advisory board in wage and salary guide lines which took effect this year. If it were only a five percent raise we could handle it. But a genuine cost of living increase will cost us at least another million dollars, and that money is not available right now, said Mr. Jones. Mr. Jones when setting up the sharing account more than a year ago, planned a $3.5 million draw, but he said that must be boosted to $4.5 million by next July. is Im out of rabbits there to save hat nothing left in my us, Mr. Jones said. The good news, at least to some January Session of Legislature to Petroelum Prices Utah and Mountain States Utah and the other Mountain States are likely to suffer more than most states if motor fuel shortages continue and gasoline rationing. is imposed in 1974. This was pointed out by Utah Foundation, the private research organization, in an analysis of motor fuel usage in the U.S. The Foundation study shows that per capita consumption of motor fuel in these Mountain States is considerably above the national average. Six of the ten states ranking highest in per capita use of fuel are Mountain States, and all eight of the so called Mountain States are well above the national average in per capita fuel consumption. It is estimated that highway use of motor fuel in the U. S. will total 111.7 billion gallons in 1973, or about 532 gallons for every man, woman and child in the nation. Per capita consumption of motor fuel in the U. S. ranges from a high of 894 gallons per person in Wyoming to a low of 341 gallons in New THE SALT LAKE TIMES FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28, 1973 Page Eight city officials, is that in the auditors report Salt Lake City had a $393,343 surplus for the last year. Expenses were $21,290,864 while revenues were $21,684,-20That money is put into a special account as required by state law and can be used only in emergency cases. Breaking down the revenues for Salt Lake City, general property tax accounted for 30 percent franchise taxes were 10 percent, sales tax brought in 20 percent, sewer charges 5 percent and the remainder was from general revenue sharing, license fees, interests and grants. 7. Latest Executive Emergency Powers Draws Holbrook Blast creases, IRS spot checks service stations and truck stops to insure compliance with the regulations. In about 100 such investigations IRS investigators found that about 50 per cent have not posted the new pump sticker. Regulations require a sticker to be affixed to each pump dispensing gas and diesel fuel to show the customer the maximum sell-lin- g price for that product. In cases where the sticker is not posted, call backs are made by IRS to insure that 1) the price has been posted and 2) the computation of the maximum selling price is verified from the firms records. Investigation of two Utah truck stops disclosed some excessive charges by $5400 by one firm and $2,000 by another. Both stations have reduced prices below the legal amount in order to refund these overcharges to their customers. The maximum selling price for petroleum products is computed by adding to the May 15, 1973, sales price any cost increases of that product since that date. For example, if a dealer sold regular gas for 38c per gallon on May 15, 1973 and since that time his cost of regular gas has increased 4c per gallon, his maximum selling price would now be 42c per gallon. Customers are encouraged to inquire of the station manager about increased petroleum price that appear questionable. If no satisfactory reply is received, then they should contact IRS at 5 in Salt Lake City. 1 Non-financi- Matters al (Continued from page 1) assuming financial responsibility where public employees are used by other for acts the employees have committed in the course of their jobs and in good faith and without negligence. The land use planning legislation would set up a statewide program of land use control and monitoring to avoid developments which may be contrary to the best use of the state land or contrary to its best potential for benefits of the most people. The money management act which is now being brought out by a special Governors committee, would provide an expanded authority for public treasurers in investing public money at maximum interest rates, where now they are somewhat restricted under law. The fourth item on the agenda which the governor hopes to have heard is the constitutional amendments involving changes of the structure of top level government and possibly providing for a state lieutenant governor's post. The legislature would decide whether to place these on the 1974 general election ballot for the voters to pass or reject. No Fault Should Reduce Court Load, District Judge Believes Utah Third District Court share a psychological burden. Judge Ernest F. Baldwin, Jr., of Many persons just dont like Salt Lake City believes the new to be in court no matter whether No Fault Insurance Law, set to are they right or wrong, the ingo into effect January 1, will jured or the one at fault there alleviate much of the case work is something about being in court jamming up the courts. that upsets them. It cant help but cut down Under the new law, a person on the case load, said the Judge. is guaranteed hospital costs and About five to ten percent of expenses in a bodily injury acour judicial case load is tied up cident up to $2,000 and beyond in cases of auto bodily injury, if he has added insurance. and about 50 per cent of these is paid no matter who isThis at cases are under $500, the kind fault. of cases the new law will prevent The new law will keep many from coming to court. persons out of court. Many famiIf five per cent of the courts lies will not share the burden of case work is cut down, imagine a court case. what a reduction in time and After January 1, a great nummoney that will be, he said. of those who might have ber Judge Balwin said the exact come into court for a small expenditures for court cases can case wont have to bodily injury Park Services Names be difficult to arrive at since have a have to won't lawyer, the county pays for the courtfor wait their and wont New Officials money house structure and physical the dread have or suspense hangequipment and the state pays To Top Positions over them the ing long wait to for judges and court reporters. hear the he decision, judges National Park Service Director He said the county pays for said. Ronald H. Walker has announced the clerk office costs. a series of new appointments for Judge Baldwin said the small It would be difficult to say cases have in the past taken any career National Park Service just how much money will be employees brought about by the saved, but it will be consider- where from six to seven months to be settled and some have Services recent reorganization. able, said Judge Baldwin. of One the positions affected The judge pointed up a fact dragged on for several years. I think we will begin to see is that of Utah State Director of little realized those outside a reduction by in court cases directthe National Park Service. the judicial court system. to the No Fault attributable Walkers announcement named ly ' The new law will do someLaw or April of March after new superintendents for four of else hard that is thing important 1974. The most obvious effects the largest and most heavily used to assess now and that con- should be right Mead Lake Yosemite, areas, apparent after 1975, park cerns the psychology of hte man Baldwin said. Recreational Area; Cape Cod Na- on Judge the street. National Seashore and Glacier Even though a badily injury tional Park. case Unlike other native turtles, may be only for a few hunIn addition he announced the condred the everyone dollars, snapper cannot pull its head of Deputy Regional appointment case in the or both cerned, parties legs and tail into its shell. Directors for the newly created Rocky Mountain and North Atlantic Regions and a successor for the Utah State Director. 524-520- Philip R. Iversen, Utah State Director of the National Park Service, will become the new superitendent of Glacier Nation- al Park. Filling Iversen's Salt Lake position will be his assistant James L. Isenogle, a native of Law-rencevil- le, 111., and a graduate, of the University of Illinois. He joined the Park Service in 1957 as a landscape architect: The new superintendent of r, Yosemite will be Leslie P. Arn-berge- now superintendent of Cape Cod Seashore. Lawrence C. Hadley from Bar will replace Mr. us sec the energy crisis as mark- Harbor, Maine, at Cape Cod. He goes Arnberger ing the end of much of our life to Cape Cod from Washington, style. I do not share that view. where he was Assistant Regional The situation is serious, but it Director of the National Park is not beyond the power of citifor park management. zens of this great land, working Service together as we have through the crises of the past, to solve. The club mosses, tiny today, But I have faith in a system give no hint that their extinct of balanced power established by forebears were enormous trees. our forefathers. I do not believe Their miniature leaves twine they envisioned an all powerful around their stems in spirals and President. appear to be moss. CONTINUED FROM PAOE Deal With Be sure your WILL is written by a Utah attorney In almost every case where people move into a new state, they should revise their Wills. If you Will recently moved into Utah, make sure your is reviewed by a Utah attorney! Its important. The laws of the state where you previously lived may differ from those of Utah. And there may be other complications, too. |