The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1917-01-10

Baca 20 the third state legislature
appearing IN another column % this
evenings Herald. should be read ny
every citizen of the state Of New
Mexico. IT n not long enough to make
the reader weary before he has finish
ed IL. Furthermore. Il IL a mastery
presentation of the needs Of the state.
First and foremost among h gov
ernors recommendations .or import
ant legislation affecting he state Is
the one OF submission, The leeisia-
tors are urged 60 act on this Import
ant question add. appearing AS Il does
AZ the head OF the governors list ot
recommendations nc undoubtedly feels
that u should have attention early in
the session. Al indicationt point 90
the fact tina, his wish win he respected
Both dominant parties seem inclined
10 get the submission amendment out
Of the way without delay.
A bond issue In the sum of S,lfa.-
10000 for highway construction IL
urged. II will he necessary that this
issue be made it New Mexico Is % par
ticipate in tho federal aid road ACT
and be the beneficiary in a like sum
from the government In view 81 the
urgent need for oad Improvement In
the state there can be no valid OBJ
lection raised 10 this bond issue. Much
mas been accomplished dUriug the
past four years in the way 81 improV-
ing the highways Of our state. This
good work should not be allowed 10
lar. bu, should be continued until New
Mexico possesses highway second 70
no state In the nation. But to do this
funds mus, be provided and bonds in
Tho above amount should be issued
There is a deficit OF ri6.ooo In the
finances % the state. The governor
recommends tina, the stristest economy
he obs rived. also that the powers ~
tho state AK commission be increased
10 enable IL TO get on the tax rolls the
large amount Of property now escaping
taxation. by pracsicing economy and
enlarging the authority OF h tax
board. the necessary revenues can be
obtained without increasing the levios
limit prescribed nv the present law
The governor advances a new and
somewhat novel idea for the collection
% taxes levied. II j.. In short. h u
county treasarers go out and collect
taxes instead OF waiting for deiin-
quents 90 come In and square up. Thin
idea II not likely 10 be hailed with
delight by treasures. but neverthe-
less the suggestion contains much food
for thought. County Business is. or
should be. conducted along the same
lines as that Of a private institution.
In ether words. a county treasurer Is
elected by the people TO be the GUS
todiaa o. their business in t1at office.
II ne were az the head Of q large pri-
vate concern he would go out himself.
or send 3 collector, when bills became
delinquent. Why. then. should not
the same method he resorted 10 In
making collections for the county II
- too bad that people are careless
abou, such an importan, mrtter as
paying their taxes. when such careless
ness may eventually deprive them Of
important holdings. But the condi-
tian IL present and must be me, In q
business-nAe WY. ~ they can't be
made 10 dig uD In any other manner.
going out and calling or them person.
nally - a last resort might be pgo-
ductive ~ good results. Anyhow. the
idea il worth a trial.
An inheritance tar law. the governor
points put II now IN effect in forty
eight states. and q law ~ this kind Is
recommended for New Mexico The
state revenue would be considerably
sagman'eI by the passage Of such a
law. We are a new and growing COM
nlanwealth and the drains 90 the state
treasury are Roing to increase from
q 20 year. This despite the fact
that the stFIotest economy may be
practiced. Therefore. II seems timely
that We should follow the example Of
the large majority Of sister states and
pass an inheritance tax law 80 as 10
receive he benefit Of additional in
come from this source.
A budget system for an state iusti.
funons M all departments ~ the.
state government il urged. As the
governor points out, II this plan were
adopted Il would he possible 10 esti-
mate in advance how mrch Of a levy
- called Tor by the appropriations ask
ed FOR. and the state expenditures
could De kept within our
Particular stress u laid nm the pass
age ~ q law guaranteeing the sec-
reoy Of The ballot. This LEGISLATION l.
urgently needed and Il IL 70 be- hoped