Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1917-09-11
Former Governor of New Mex
leo Warns That War Is Co.
ing to Incur Vast Outlay and
Leave Huge Debt,
FRACTIONAL
STRIFE IN NEW MEXICO
Now Is Time for Whole State
to Work in. Harmony for
Common Goodi Must Avoid
Extravaganza,

lsPEeIAl co7RgsPoNpENeE TO MORNING JOURNAL
Santa Fe. Sept. 1O,--"There never
was a time in the history of this ma
tion when the necessity for Co-opera-
ton was as great as now" says for
mer Governor Herbert ]. Hagerman
in am article on "The Need of the
Hour written for the Tax Review
Never" he continues, did we so
sCrely need real union of effort, unal-
loyed by factional or political strife. In
the present national crisis every act
which inteferes with our ultimate OBJ
iective, the defeat of Germany. viii
cost dearly in money and men. Every
mistake means money, every delay
means death.
Great sacrifices will be demanded
OF all the people The greatest of all
sacrifices the sacrifice of life, will be
demanded of many of our men, and
little less of many mothers and
friends they leave behind
Sacrifices Necessary.
Enormous sacrifices iof money,
which will leave the country in debt
for generations, will be necessfEfy; and
If the Germans once get to our shores
enormous sacrifices of property which
many generations cannot replace. The
war costs to America will be enor-
nous, The sums spent and contem-
plated are so great as to be nearly
unthinkable."
Governor Hagerman's article is an
argument for economy in expenditures
and for reductions in tax leves to the
end that the burden of taxation may
be made as light as possible during
the present crisis. The big increase
in property valuation this year has
made possible substantial reductions
H. levies, as in fact more revenue than
needed would be raised if no cuts
were made. It is now estimated that
the 1917 valuation will reach $685.
600, 900, an increase of over $35, 1000
000 compared with last year The in
crease is well distributed among the
counties
Urges Public Economy.
THE prospect OF great additional
national taxation to carry on the
war" the former executive says, "ac-
ccntuates the need of curtailment and
economy in state, county and munici-
pal expenditures: otherwise the bur-
den will be almost too great to bear
II aCcentuates the great need of CO.
operation, industry and care on the
part of the officers charged with the
assessment of property and the levy
Of taxes, and of forbearance, unselfish-
ness and helpfulness, on the part of
the taxpayers themselves 1t further
increases the responsibility of those
charged with the expenditure of pub
lie money. and lays upon them an
added duty to see to it that every dol
lar is rightly used
fractional Strife.
above all, it Is no time to indulge
ir factional strife or personal jealous
les. No one can approve of those
fortunately few in number, who are so
far forgetful of the fitness of things
as to permit factional local or per
sOnal controversies to interfere with
the great work for national safety at
such a crucial time as this. On the
contrary, it is "A time in our opinion,
when everyone. and especially those
with authority or responsibility,
should encourage harmony and pat
riotism, thrift and economy for the
common good
ut must not be forgotten that, be-
cause of the great additional burdens
made necessary by the war, burdens
that have Just begun, higher taxes at
home will be more keenly felt, and
while all legitimate needs should be
provided for. it is the solemn duty of
officials to keep down the tax levies,
state and municipal. These leyies
have not yet been made
Matter of Tax I.cvics,
Let the people agitate and discuss
the question before they are made. In
1915, county tax levies ranged from
427-100 mills in Mckinley county to
II 6-10 mills in Eddy county Part
Of such striking difference can be
simply explained, but part is inexcus-
able. Public discussion of the details
of county budgets and tax levies would
do much toward the proper control of
both, and in times like these, it is
the duty of every citizen to enter into
this discussion before the appropria .
tions and levies are made. / believe
most county boards would welcome
such public discussion.
"The municipal levies In our main
towns are high. These, too, and the
appropriations they are made to
cover must be looked after, primar-
lily by the taxpayers themselves. Much
help can be given by commissions, Of
fical and unofficial but after all the
burden must rest on the men and
women who actually pay the bills