Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1910-01-14

To the failure on the part of the dis
ttist attorneys to erform their duties
in counties where these sales have
been made.
We find upon referring to our rec
ords, that this board has repeatedly
and specifically, called attention to the
neglect OF duty on the part Of district
attorneys and county taxing officials
In the assessing and collection of
taxes, and SO far. except in a few in
stances, rave not had results, as evil
deneed by the fact that delinquent
taxes In most OF the counties have
not been collected by the district at
torneys as required by law.
We find from their report, and
from q statement Of the attorney gen
general, ina much valuable land in
not assessed at all in Bernalillo coun-
~. BY reason Of no plat or survey hav-
ing been made OF same. We cali their
attention TO the fact that the county
commissioners, have authority of law.
to have these surveys and plats made.
The experience of the few states,
which have adopted the plan, as sug-
gested TO us, as far as we are able to
ascertain. has been such that Il would
not seem the part OF wisdom for us
to adopt il.
If the board Is asked to assume the
grave responsibility of raising values.
it should also have the power to re-
duce the rates corrcspondingly.
1t has been the policy of this board
in the past, and IL Is their present aim
and intention to mako. MS near as pos
sible. an equal valuation upon all
classes of property. so that they would
bear a uniform. fair and just propor-
tion Of value as between all interests.
We are very glad to receive the as
surance from the district attorneys, as
forth in their resolutions, that they
intend fully to enforce the assessing
and tax collecting laws, in their re-
spective districts in the future. This
promise indeed Is very commendablo.
From the records of our board and
placed before us by the trav-
cling auditor, we have no hesitancy.
IN saying, that there has never been
a more uniform and equitable assess.
mcnt than the past year, ana that in
the history Of The territory II has
been in SO good % financial con
lition. Collections have improved
rom an average of 60 per cent To-
lbout 80 per cent. We attribute this.
partly to the fixing Of values by his
GARD ana largely At the systematic and
Intelligent effort on the part Of Tray
ling Auditor Stafford and the active
interest taken in these matters by
Governor Curry.
As fine as this condition appears 10
be-, there is still great room for I'M
,rovcmpnt. We find that in some OF
he counties the assessors do not list
considerable portion of the property
{ M value, and We feel that IL Is
lac duty of the district attorneys TO
All the attention of the assessors to
condition. SO that in future. there
iii De no grounds FOR complaint on
his score
We have received the report of the
commission. appointed by the gov
in December, in which they
ate, that on account OF the limited
me, they were unable 10 investigate
+ report upon conditions. They rec
mmcnd that his board visit the vlri-
MS counties for purposes Of investf-
alton. during the year or that a con-
iission be appointed by the board Of
iuaiization for his purpose. and
report be mad to the governor.
sfore the next session of the legisla-
The Legislature failed TO make
iv appropriation for the use OF the
,ard. for his purpose. however. We
ldotse and appreciate the good in
ntion Of the governor n the tax
and recommend that il be
'ntinued n the fullest investigation
had.
After due consideration we have
TO reject the recommenda-
IN of the district attorneys. as we
FL that il would result disastrously
the Interests of the territory.