Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1909-02-04
GENERAL PLAN
TO EQUAL|zE
TAXESURGED
BY COUNTY CHAIRMEN
IN SESSION AT SANTA FE
Good Results Expected From
Conference Called by Cover
nor; Movement for Better
Roads Heartily Endorsed,
Morning journal Bureau,
The Palace Hotel.
Snntn Fe. \. NJ. Fob. 3

santa Fe, - M, Feb 3
The meeting Of chairmen Of the
several county commissions in New
Mexico. which has been in session
here for several days, came to Il close
This afternoon with the adoption of a
SET of resolutions recommending Il
general plan for the equalization and
increase of assessed valuation and en-
hodyine a number of recommends
lions to the legislature for legislation
which the commissioners think need
ful for the advancement of New Mexi-
co. This is the first meeting of the
kind ever held in New Mexico and it
is likely to result in the very greatest
benefit to all sections of the terri
tory Several of the commissioners
have expressed themselves as being
highly pleased with the result Of the
meeting, for they say that it has not
only resulted in u clearer understand
ing of conditions as regards valua-
tions in the territory and the need for
prompt and vigorous action to remedy
defects in the existing system. but
that it has enabled them to get to-
gcthcr for the discussion and inter
change of views upon many other
matters of administration likely to re-
suit in advancement and improved
conditions
The meeting was called by Cover
nor Curry and has proven so success
lul that the commissioners will pro-
baby desire to hold similar meetings
in the future at their own instance.
The commissioners did not arrive
at a percentage basis upon which to
fix valuations, and owing to the
widely varying conditions in the sew
crai counties, II vas hardly expected
detrrminc by unanimous vote, to ad-
serns;s the valiiat-n placed ~ TIE
territorial board of equalization upon
certain classes of property as the min
imum valuation and to place other
valuations upon the same basis. This
atone viii result in a general equali-
zation Of taxation, as well as in a
marked increase in valuation
The question Of good roads was
taken up and discussed at some
length The commissioners gave their
unanimous approval to the use of
convict labor in road construction,
and to the territorial good roads com
mission proposed by Governor Curry.
The governor addressed the COM
nissioncrs at some length this after
noon when he reviewed in a general
way conditions throughout the terri
tory as regards assessments ana gave
complete outline of his plan for
carrying on the good roads cam
paign
The governor said he was heartily
IN Favor Of retaining the $500 cN-
emption, since he held that this was
dircct aid to the poor people Of the
territory 1t was not the poor he
SAID, who escaped equitable taxation
but the rich and the owners of large
tracts of land
The governor reviewed conditions
IN New Mexico when he came to the
territory many years ago, and gave
AN interesting outline of develop
ments He said that assessed Nalua-
uons had not increased correspond
ngly either in proportion to the in
crease in actual valuation OF to the
expenses of maintaining the govern
ment.
No state pays more for education
~ proportion to its wealth than we,
Sald the governor. "and still many OF
cur schools are in session but few
months in the year We need to inn
prove conditions as regards the
schools, We need longer terms, and
"'ttcr teachers. And we need better
communication between our towns
ana cities
ours has been largely cattle
ana sheep country, but it is fast be-
'omiHg an agricultural country InI
order to open up our farming lands
ana our timber. coal aud minerals We
must do something for our highways
THESE are the two important matters
schools and highways
The governor then outlined bill
which he recommends. providing for
inc territorial road commission and
.he use of convict labor, as well as
Tor cooperation IN the several coun-
i's In road construction. He referred
To "a number Of districts where roads
arc needed. and where their construc
non would be Of immediate value.
Among these he mentioned road
rom Roswell to Carrizozo; from Los
cgds into the Mora valley. and the
"mpiction of the scenic highway
nrough the Rio Grandc valley To III
Faso. number OF the commissions
is discussed the road question and
hr meeting then took recess To al
"w the committee on resolutions to
prepare its final report The final
.esolutlons pledge the commissioners
+" adhere as closely as possible ~
hose valuations fixed by the terrtof
al board Of equalization. and to place
'ther valuations A. nearly as possible
lpon the same basis
The governors good roads commits
lon bill is indorscd and the legisls-
ure is urged to enact the entire plan
nio a law.
A recommenda on is Included PROF.