Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1913-03-03
.IAXAT|0N PROBLEM
ISMOST SERIOUS
FOR SOLONS
To SOLVE
ciate Board of Equalization S
Decision 10 Fix Assessments
at Full Valuation Complexities
Situation,
SANTA FE RAIL WAY
SYSTEM BEARS BRUNT

| Il Owns Almost Half Of Cor
oorate Property in Statei
Banks Share in the General
Raise,
i.laie Capital Burenu of Morning journal.
Santa 'e. March 2.-TaXation mat
ters are now the most important un.
der consideration IN the senate and
,s soon as the house gets through
with the salary nnglo, win assume
first place there as Well saturday
there were introduced by Senator Sui
zr two measures of great import
aneo These were drafted by the at
omee general IN accordance with the
recommendations the state board of
aualiMtion contained in its report
published last week. one Of these
measures extends and broadens the
scope of the board so that Il may en-
Tar any county ana increase or de-
crease valuations after they have been
fxed hy the assessor. or so that IT'S
special agents, appointed under this
act may assist the assessor In maxi
hg up his tax rolls This bin is in
Ane with the desire Of the state board
% secure fun valuation assessment
on an property that directly under
the assessors as well as that under
lis own supervision.
The other bin Is along slightly diff
iorent lines but Is allied to the first
one Il provides that the levy shall be
made after the assessment rolls have
ill been turned in to their respective
boards This is so that an excessive
amount may not he levied. Under the
present system the levies are based
upoa the valuation Of the preceding
year and should the assessment roll
snow any great increase, would pro-
ducc more money than is needed.
Such case arose in Colfax county
last year.
This measure also provides that IN
making property returns the owner
may not fix the valuation Of his own
property, but shall merely send IN a
lIst of his holdings. The assessor Will
do the rest
There IS a provision omitted from
either bin which will certainly be in
serted IN committee. This IS to the
effect that as the valuation Increases
the levy shall be decreased automatic
ally in the same proportion, so that
The maximum levy which may be
made hereafter, when the valuations
are increased, will produce only the
same amount as the maximum levy
which can now be made. This Is view
ed as a very important part Of the act
and one necessary to retain the pub
lie confidence In any measure look
ing toward assessment at higher valu-
alton than Is now customary
The principal bill introduced hy
Senator Sulzer reads as follows
An act to increase the powers
and duties of the state board Of
equalization and to provide for
the exercise and discharge Of
such powers and duties and for
the expenses Of said board
Be It enacted By the legislature of
the state Of New Mexico:
Section 1. In addition to the pow
ers and duties conferred and imposed
upon the state board Of equalization,
the said board shall have the fol-
lowing powers and duties:
First TO have ana exercise gencr-
az supervision of the system OF taxa
lion throughout the state
second To exercise general super
Vision over assessors and county
boards Of equalization and the deter
mination and assessment Of the taN-
able property Of the several counties.
cities ana towns Of the state to the
end that all assessments of property
shall be just and uniform and at its
inll cash value, and that all taxable
property shall be placed upon the as
sessment rolls and equalized between
persons, corporations and companies
throughout the state and between the
INHERENT counties and municipalities
therein.
Third. To ADVISE and direct asses
soIs and county boards of equaiza-
uon as to their dG,ies, and to direct
what proceedings or prosecutions shall
oe Instituted against persons, corpo-
lalons OF their officers, or agents,
lot failure or neglect TO comply with
'ne statutes concerning the assess
ment and taxation of property and
70 cause complaint to be made against
assessors, collectors or members of
unity boards Of equalization, for their
removal from office, for official mis-
conduct or neglect Of duty, and 1t is
made the duty Of district attorneys,
ana Of the attorney general to assist
me said board in the Discharge Of such
duties
Fourth. To prescribe forms Of
noohs and blanks to be used in
'ne assessment of property and the
collection Of taxes.
fifth. To require county and mu-
Wcipa officers to make reports in
Sueh form as said board may prescribe
- TO assessment Of property. collec-
uon of taxes and such other informa-