The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1919-01-25
he Fourth State Legislature, With Economy" as Its
Watchword, Has Made 4 Good Start: More Strength to It

n lew MExiCo's pressing problem Of making
IN cnds meet, 20 clearly set forth early this week
ia the house ~ representatives by Judge r.
r. Barnes. the majority floor leader. seemg 70 have
both houses Of the Fourth State Legislature. From
the opening day of the sr-<ion Senator John ;.
Clark. chairman Of The state finance committee, who
through similar service in q number " sessions. has
earned IN q serious scnsr the title Of the Watch
dog q tie Treasury. has been qnietly asking his
eoIlsssnss sbs pointed Question where = the
demanding to BE- shown me sources Of the revenue
which will be Required for the loug list Of increased
and wholly ncu dcuands on the state treasury
during the next two fiscal years.
Judge Bafncs broueht the siates financial sit
uaiion very f~orcefuiiy % the attention OF the house
Of representatives Those who read the summary
Of ~ rctserks. a. printed In he Herald, will realize
that the si,ueiion isnqt one 10 be dealt with lightly.
New Mexico has come through two very trying
years. rs people are hardly IN shape 20 bear any
laree increases in TAXATION There arr some increas-
ed demands and a few entirely new demands upon
the state Treasury which must be met. II was the
burden Of Judge Barnes statement that increased
demands and new calls upon the treasury must be
held down % the minimum.
The present state senate showed no disposition
20 be spcDdthrift in its session two years ago. IL is
none the less conservative now. The need FOR wise
economy evidently has taken hold upon the mem
M|I"N ~ ~ IN.HF " REPRESENTATIVES, UIIMhfI NullA'
has frequently emphasized the need for going slow,
and when the house in is session Of Thursday voted
20 forrgo the time. honorcd custom Of voting lis
members free law books AZ the expense Of the state
treasury, Il showed that IN adopting Economy"
an its word. Il is IN earnest about h. Representative
Carriers notion thai each member buy his
own law books waA significant The item Of
expense involved was small, but II indicated the
spirit that seems general IL the Fourth State Leg
islature, 10 spend no public money needlessly and
TO s~crutinize every expenditure with care.
A great many people who read Governor Lar.
rnzolos message have been led into the error Of
believing that the Governor il advocating a period
Of lavish expenditure. He is not. lie has indicated
20 members Of the legislature and others that IL
was his purpose 10 ontline IN his message the more
pressing needs Of a progressive program Of state
building and TO assist the Legislature IN putting for
ward che execution Of the most imperative Of these
needs, within the limit Of the resources of the state.
The attitude 81 the governor and Of the members
Of the Legislature a. evidenced up to this time need
cause no alarm. Both are conservative a. regards
expenditures. There IN cause for general %saiisfac.
ton in this fact.
As an instance Of the general Legislative atii-
tude The question Of free text books is being dis
eussed AZ Santa Fe. The first fact pointed out has
been that the first year, or initial investment in
free books win cost US $209,00O The next point Is
that We already have a law which provides that thu
counties shall furnish free text books 20 children
whose parents certify their inability 20 buy them,
and that only an appropriation is necessary 10 make
this law effective. There are those who think that
we should let free text books wait a bit not be.
cause anyone opposes free text books in principle,
hut because We can get along without that reform
for a time, and put that sos. 1000 into other char
nels Of the common school system where the money
h more urgently needed.
II this attitude Of examination aud caution
holds throughout the session the Fourth State Leg
folafura will find WAYS 10 meet All az The sfafe' most
pressing necessities, and make ends meet without