OCR Text |
Show UP IT GOES. Ten states have increased their gasoline tax rates so far this year, and others are contemplating similar moves. At present the average tax rate for the nation is 3.98 cents per gallon and it may exceed 4 cents before be-fore the dawn of 1932. However, it is interesting to note that the new high rates went into effect ef-fect in the face of constantly growing grow-ing opposition. In North Dakota, for example, the voters defeated a projected pro-jected increase on a referendum proposal pro-posal in November only to have the legislature pass it later on. In Washington, Wash-ington, where the rate was jacked up two cents a gallon, motorists are busy seeking a referendum, and a one-cent increase in Maine was passed pass-ed only after a long and bitter bat-. bat-. tie in the legislature. It may be that the tendency toward to-ward higher rates will be a good tiling after all the higher the tax goes, the sooner the public will take i-ction. "Worm motorist" is rapidly reaching the point where he will turn, as five -and six-cent' tax rates stare him in the face. |