Mt. Pleasant Pyramid | 1931-08-14 | Page 3 | Gasoline Prices and the Gas Tax

Gasoline Prices And The Gas Tax Gasoline prices have fallen to the lowest level in years, when allowance al-lowance is made for the state tax. On June 1, the average price in 50 representative American cities was 12.51 cents a gallon not counting tax as compared with 16.78 cents on the same day last year, and 25.70 cents In 1921. On June 1, the average tax rate was in excess of four cents a gallon for the first time in history. In ten years the tax has Increased 3.85 cents a gallon, while the average av-erage price of gas has declined 13.19 cents. It is believed that the trend toward higher taxes may be coming com-ing to an end. One reason for this is resentment on the part of motorists and another reason Is the prevalence of gas bootlegging and tax evasion. A tax rate of 25 or more per cent on a necessary neces-sary commodity cannot be justified.