Show CONTROVERSY ON OVER MOTOR TAX Dispatches to The Standard Standard-Ex front from Washington reveal that the treasury department Is concerned concerned over the massed protest that Is being made mode against the ex excise excie cise cie tax on automobiles Secretary Mellon has ha recommended that tho 1 3 per cent tax on motor cars be continued Every er E purchaser of or a new car today pays 3 per ler cent on the whole whole- wholesale sale Eale price as a war excise tax The average tax per car is I approximate approximately ly said Roy I D Chapin pres ores presIdent ident of or the national automobile chamber of or commerce There were a number of or such taxes levied led on all sorts of ot prod prod- products products' products products' products during doting the tho war and all the theother theother theother other wartime excise taxes have ha been removed with the exception of those ose on automobiles and firearms The singling out of or any anyone one product for taxation is an unjust discrimination and relief relict of or such sucha a situation should be the first step in any tax reduction program To continue a special wartime levy on any anyone ono one product Is a viola violation tion ot or the tho principles ou ott which our government operates Not only does a n war excite excise tax put ut a n special burden on au one prod prod- product product i but in taxing the tho automobile it U also hampers bampe a n fundamental necessity cully namely transportation Secretary Mellons Mellon's position was as stated Elated in this statement to the Iho waS ways and means committee In effect Mr Mellon said this The government expends about millions annually In federal aid to road roa t building pro pro- programs programs programs grams in tho many states states' Since the motor car ar users get the he most benefit from the tho Improved cd roads they should be willing to bear a ashare ashare ashare share In their construction and maintenance Automobile manufacturers think that the reduced price at which they can sell cars If tr the tax is ts re reo reduced reduced will wm stimulate the tho purchase ot or motor cars Our opinion is that when a a. man makes up his mind to buy a motor car he be does not hesi hesi- hesitate hesitate tate for a mere 2350 which is the tho average tax collected through the excise |