Deming graphic. (Deming, N.M.) 1903-1948, 1919-02-18
Governor Larrayelo's Revenue Program
Should Carry New Mexico Safely
Through Two Difficult

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program II appears that they are ways
by which New Mexico can he carried
safely through two difficult years
without any sacrifice OF efficiency in
conducting the public business and
without any material addition to the
lead OF the taxpayers Undoubtedly
the governor has suggested a sufficient
number Of WAYS for producing new rev
enue 10 make IL possible for the state
To get along without any large increase
In direct taxation: provided the rev
eune program is worked out with care.
and provided that too many special
taxes and extras are not added for new
departments and public purposes.
We are heartily glad to note the
governors suggestion that proposed
use Of the defense council bond issue
balance for buildings for state institu-
tions probably is unconstitutional. Re-
vond n doubt the extra session OF the
legislature which enacted this bond
issue intended il for wartime purpose
only. The war Is over ana the emer-
bond issue should he cancelled ut once.
II Il Is necessary To raise additional
revenue for buildings by using the
credit of the state. this should he done
In the straightforward way. by bond
issue submitted Ia the people as the
constitution requires. II may be thai
a small tax levy. spread over num-
Der of years. as Is suggested. may
prove Il desirable alternative. II Is
becoming clearer and clearer. however.
that the state is maintaining too many
higher educational institutions. The
money aud the effort are too widely
scattered. There Is too much dupli-
cation. II would he far wiser course
for the legislature Ia determine which
Of these institutions are absolutely
necessary and concentrate the maintc
nance and investment in them.
II has been suggested that this isl
not the time to take up consolidation %
educational institutions. Perhaps II Is
not The problem. however. is u very
live one. Ii will become increasingly
difficult Of solution as time goes on.
Certainly IL Is not too early 10 begin
giving il very serious thought
The governors proposed tax ON gas
oine and the suggested increase In the
automobile license fees have been much
discussed and there appears to he little
or no opposition to either tax. Auto
mobile owners seem Ia he agreed that
II the production Of these taxes Is wise
~ invested In the highway system, the
owners Of motor ears will get baci;
more than their investment In savings
in gasoline mileage and tire mileage.
and an additional return In saved wra
aud tear on ears. The only objection
likely to arise from gasoline or oil
inspection tax would he from an In
spection system loaded down with po-
litical employees: and There appears To
le no intention anywhere to permit
that sort ~ thing to occur.
There win be- no valid objection 10
an Inheritance tax. This has been
proven II just tax wherever II has
been employed Once in practice II
would probably remain II permanent
feature Of the revenue system. The
income tax also opens the way to ma
terial increase IN the public revenues
by reaching very large class of peo-
pie | NEW Mexico who enjoy the pro
lection and convenience of government
without hearing any part Of the cost.
Ne hope that the proposal for 4 tax
ON lhntion picture theatres and ad-
mission to such theatres will not he
carried out. The revenue 10 he oh
tanned from this source in New Mex
leo will be relatively small The re-
suit of the tax viii he further in
crease in cost of admission TO motion
picture theaters. such as followed the
federal tax on these theaters. The
motion picture has become the great
amusement resource of the vast ajor
ity ~ the people; Of all classes Of the
people The addition OF two cents
tax upon the motion picture theater
ticket will mean AN increase Of five
cents in the price Of the ticket. The
owner Of an automobile usually has
an income which Is not seriously affect
ed by II 2-cent gasoline tax. But at
least half of the people who are reg
ular patrons Of motion picture thea
tiers aud who find In those theaters
source Of wholesome amusement and
valuable education, will be hurt by the
increased cost of their admission tick
cts. The governor has proposed II
sufficient number of means for produc-
ing more revenue without employing
the motion picture theater tax, which
would he in effect direct tax upon
a vast majority Of our people.
As has been stated. the governor has
outlined revenue program which
should carry the state safely through
two difficult years, without any great
increase In general direct taxation
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