The Key West Citizen

OIL MEN OF COUNTY WILL MEET THURSDAY

RETAIL AND WHOLESALE OIL DEALERS TO STUDY PROMOTION OF SOUND AND REASONABLE LAWS

The Monroe County Oil Men's Association, composed of wholesale and retail oil dealers, will meet Thursday night at the Chamber of Commerce according to a statement issued today by Mr. Charles Taylor, Chairman of the organization. Mr. Taylor said that Berwick Anderson, Secretary of the Florida Petroleum Industries Committee, Jacksonville, would attend the meeting and address the group. "The purpose of our organization is to promote the adoption of sound and reasonable laws that will protect the business of those engaged in the marketing of petroleum products, and also the interest of those who use these products," said Mr. Taylor. "Special automobile taxes levied in this state have become so exorbitant and such a large portion of the taxes are diverted to other than road purposes that the motorist in Florida today is bearing more than his fair share of the cost of government." continued Mr. Taylor. "Recent studies by the United States Department of Commerce show us that the average Florida Motorist earns only between $20 and $30 a week and drives a car valued at only $200. Yet the state of Florida collects from this tax payer nearly $30,000,000 yearly in gas and tag taxes and that is more than one-half the state's total revenue. "When nearly one-third of this amount is diverted to non-highway purposes a disproportionate share of the cost of government is shifted to a class with no particular taxpaying ability "But of equal concern to the motorist and non-motorist alike is the fact that with so much diversion the development of a modern highway system for the state is being seriously hindered. Our tourist trade will eventually suffer unless the present condition of our roads is vastly improved."