Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1913-06-25
TAXATION and
ASSESSMENTS
DEBATED
The WHOLE QUESTION OF THE INEF.
FICIENCY OF THE PRESENT BUNG-
LING LAW TALKED ABOUT At THE
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
SEC. JEANCON RESIGNS;
THANKED FOR SERVICES

The meeting OF the chamber of CON
merce last night was well attende,
and an exceedingly interesting meet
ing. g.
The report of the committee OF
public funds and utilities, rather un
'expectedly brought up the whole mat
ter of taxation, and on motion of AT
torney General Clancy precipitated a
discussion that was as interesting as
it was warm, but out of which the
atmosphere became somewhat cleared
and the discussion will be conducive
of much good.
The discussion emphasized the fact
that was brought out SO strongly by
this paper last winter, that this state
needs new tax law and that the pres
ent law passed by the last legislature
is lamentably inadequate to meet con-
ditions, and has muddled up an al
ready poor law worse than ever.
1t was clearly shown by Attorney
General Clancy and by Francis C.
Wilson last night that the people
would never get anything that ap.
preached just and equitable taxation
until the matter of assessment was
taken out of the hands of county Off
GERS, Office holders and politicians
and put in the hands of a state COM
mission, as it has been successfully
done already in many states.
down to that part which called for re-
ports of committees, Arthur Seligman,
chairman Of the committee on public
funds and utilities, reported that the
matter of taxation had been turned
over to a subcommittee, which was
given in yesterdays paper, consisting
of Messrs. e. R. Wright. Levi A.
Arthur Selgman and J. W.
Norment, which committee had at.
.ended the meeting of the county
board of equalization and would at
tend the meeting of the state board,
when the matter of what basis the
assessments of the entire state would
be put on, is under discussion. He
said that the committee had decided
that it would be impossible to do
much specific work towards chang
ng the assessments this year, but
hat visit to and conference with
he state board would enable the
committee to be prepared to do some
hing next year.
Matters of the putting of the tele-
,hone and telegraph wires under
,round has been taken up with the
and they would be glad
0 act with the chamber in helping to
'eautify the city. The telephone
ompany suggested that where wires
we're not put underground in other
arts of the city the poles would be
ainted a dark green. if the council
would amend it's ordinance designat-
1g that color. References to the
aving of the plaza and the progress
aported by the council and mayor
1 the water investigation were also
lade.
Attorney General Clancy, referring
, the matter of assessments and
qualization said that it was not too
tie to do something this year. There
as never any better time to bring
o the question of adjusting assess.
ents than now Ten men, according
law, could call on the state board
nd present matters with a view, not
; individual adjustments, but with a
ew of adjustments of taxes in the
ounty as compared to those in other
,unties. He moved that the commit
e on public funds and utilities be
structed to take steps to see tina:
,peals are taken to the state board
equalization. It was the duty, he
ought, of Santa Fe city and county
see that the matters are taken to
at body.
Mr. .Clancy's motion led to long
ID intense discussion of the whole
after. It was developed in the dis
ssion that the county was not on
e basis of 33 1-3 per cent. Many
teresting facts were brought out.
r. Wilson showed that the present as
in this county tended to
ke care of those who had done
'ong and not returned proper valua-
ms, and to ignore and saddle bur
n on those who had justly returned
cir full valuation. The whole SUBJ
It of taxes, assessments on property
d SO forth was gone into exhaustive
There was general harmony Of
inion on the matter, and the pres
t sorry condition of the law was
plored, and sentiment expressed
at the chamber, both as individuals
d as a whole mass use it's best Off
5 at the next session of the legis-
ure to see that more just and
uitable law was passed, along the
es of the one drafted by Mr.. Clancy
It winter, which was ignored by our
vmakers.
Attorney General Clancy brought out
; remarkable fact last night that
ere were 26 different kinds of asses
IS in this state, when as matter
fact. there should be but one, and
It one, state authority, and not q
lnty authority.
After a full and sincere discussion
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