Questionable estimates of the revenue to be obtained with a bottle tax overlook a secondary effect. Community stores near the county line would benefit tremendously, but city stores charging the tax would lose.

To pay 24 cents extra on a six pack of cola or 94 cents for a case of water would invariably prompt consumers to hop in the car and drive just under a mile to nearby supermarkets in the county. While there, other items would be purchased as well. The stores in the city would see loss of revenue and eventually be forced to close and put their employees out of work.

Richard L. Lelonek, Baltimore