Las Vegas optic. (East Las Vegas, N.M.) 1908-1921, 1913-11-07
WILL TAKE LEGAL ACTIOR
COMMITTEE is APPOINTED TO
SUPPORT ASSESSOR IN IGNoR-
ING ORDERS
MEETING HELD
LARGE NUMBER or PROPERTY
OWNERS PARTICIPATE IN
THE MOVEMENT

Disapproval Of the actions Of the
board of equalization and determine
tion to resist its attempts to increase
the property valuations in San Miguel
county were expressed at q meeting
of the tax payers last night in the
Commercial club rooms. The meeting
unanimously voted that q COMMITTEES
of six men be appointed to represent
the taxpayers, and, II necessary. en-
join the assessor from spreading the
increased valuations upon the tax
rolls. The committee was given au-
thority to raise sufficient money TO
employ attorneys to represent the tax
payers should the matter be taken to
the courts. President w. p. Southard
OF the Commercial club appointed the
following men upon the committee
William Springer, Harry w. Kelly, DR..
J. NJ. Cunningham, Hallett Reynolds.
cecilio Rosenwald and John H. York.
At the opening OF the meeting, MIR.
York, who is a member Of the board
Of county commissioners and a former
assessor Of san Miguel county, was
asked to explain the hesItuation. He
stated that tax payarof tie county
had turned II valuations on their
property at what theg beIieerd 10 BE-
the correct figure that the county
commissioners this year had fixed val-
uations upon such classes OF proper
ty as they are authorized to value,
putting the figures at as near the ac-
tual value as could be determined.
In spite Of this manifest desire for
fairness on the part cf he commits
sioners, explained Mr. York, the
state boar do fequA IL ION has order.
ed the valuations te DO raised all the
way from is per cent to 100 per cent.
Mr., York, reading from the report Of
the equalization board, showed that
in nine counties no raises had been
ordered, although the valuations there
were placed at a less figure than those
OF San Miguel county. Mr.. York. BY
comparison, showed how the board of
equalization has attempted to put 4
higher yalution upon farming lands ii
San Miguel county than upon the
same class Of lands in Chaves coua-
ty. where perpetual water and warm
weather guarantee one Of two more
crops Of alfalfa year.
Mr. York demonstrated that The
board Of equalization has failed to
practice equity when it cut down the
appraisement upon the Santa Fe rail-
ways terminal property here ffom
$S25,oOO, the figure fixed by the coun-
ty commissioners, to s217.OOO. while
at the same time every other tax pay
er in the county had his valuations
raised. It was pointed out, too. that
the Santa Fe's mileage within the
limits Of East Las Vegas and the
town Of Las Vegas, had been exempt
ed from taxation for school and city
purposes. while all other property
was taxed for the same funds. This
action was taken by the equalization
board in the face Of the fact that
municipalities have the right to tax
property for special school and city
purposes.
Mt. York said the board Of eauali-
zation had ordered the assessors not
to increase the number Of cattle rs
turned by cattle owners for taxation.
He said Il this policy was followed
IN regard to cattle owners It is strange
It was not followed with regard rs
real estate owners.
". g. Hayden was called upon Ho
stated that 1t seemed the board of
equalization had failed to carry onf
the purpose for which It was crea
namely 70 eqaalize values an over as