Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1915-01-13

, plicabe TO New Mexico conditions.
but the main features are taken from
/ the recommendation of the Ken
/ lucky and Virginia tax commissions
and the California, Ohio and Wis
consin statutes Several of the pro-
visions are those recommended by
I the national tax commission.
! These eight measures are: % "A
bill to create state tax commission;
/ (2) an inheritance tax bill; (5) a
bill to assure the assessment Of in
tangible property; (l) a bill to tax
the output and surface improvements
of mines; (5) a bill requiring that
the actual consideration be stated in
all deeds and other evidences trans
ferring property. CD bill to regu-
late the making of assessments
tD bill to govern the collection of
taxes: (S) a bill to regulate the tax
alton Of public utility corporations.
The proposed tax commission is to
consist of three members, the salary
proposed for each being anywhere
between $500 and $4,000 year to
be appointed before the adjournment
Of the legislative session by the gov
.ernor. by and with The consent of
the senate. The members are to
draw lots as to whose term is to eX-
pire on February /, 1917. 1919 and
1921, respectively, a new member to
be appointed each two years. to
serve for six years, and no member
to draw his salary before he has
been confirmed by the state senate.
The commission is to make its
headquarters in the state capitol and
is to be authorized to appoint a sec
retary and other employees at an eX-
pense which it is proposed to limit
to $4,000 year. The members are
to devote all of their time TO their
work and are forbidden to contribute
TO any political organization, to en-
gage in any political work or to hold
any other official position,
The bills are drafted upon the /
theory that property will be assessed |
and taxed upon It's fun market value, /
which it is confidently asserted, Will /
cut the tax rate tWo-thirds, The /
commission is given sweeping orig I
inal jurisdiction In tax matters. In /
addition to the powers possessed by /
the former board of equalization and I
TO fixing the rate of assessment OF /
common carriers. banks. livestock |
and public utility properties, 1t shall /
have the right to order changes OF I
any individual assessment and to at- /
fix the assessment returns by classes
or by counties.
The commissions supervision and /
control over tax matters shall not
only be statewide, but also local. 1t
shall he exercised over assessors and
all taxing and collecting authorities.
1t shall prescribe all forms for the
of property and the levy
ing and collection of taxes 1t shall
have power to summon before it or
any of its members, at convenient
times and places, any individual or
official to testify under oath as TO
values of property. However IN
formation thus gained shall not be
divulged except as 60 what IS spread
on the assessment and tax rolls or
is demanded by the courts or the
governor. All testimony is to be re-
garded as confidential by the COM
,nfssioners, not only while in office
but also after their term has expired.
This restriction also applies 10 the
EMPLOYEES Of the commission, ana lhe
penalty for violation Of this clause ~
N be both fine and imprisonment as
.,.lt as loss of office and capacity TO