Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1919-01-16

ROAD IuHu, lHdt the lssulHB VI Suti
licenses, the registration thereof the
issuing of number plates, and all 9TH
er things connected herewith, he
placed within the jurisdiction of the
State Highway Commission; and that
our laws relating to motor vehicles,
on public highways, be so revised as
to make them conform, as far as pos
sible, with the laws of other states on
that subject.
In view of the fact that on account
of the war. little if any road con-
struction could be done during its
continuance, the State Highway Com
mission could not avail itself to any
considerable extent, of the emergen-
cy legislation enacted by the 1917
extraordinary session of the legis-
lature. which provided for the issue
of certificates by counties for road
construction.
/ therefore recommend to you that
the provisions made in said legisla-
ton, to-wit, in Section S, Chapter g.
of the extraordinary session laws of
1917, be extended to cover and made
effective during the years 1919 and
1920.
Taxation.
Taxes is a matter in which we are
all deeply interested, and an earnest
and determined effort should be made
to bring that difficult and yeXatious
question to such a point of perfect JUS
tice as may be possible. The scheme
of placing the regulation and equal
i2ation of taxation n the hands of a
tax commission, is, in my opinion, the
best and possibly the only solution of
that question; for it is inconceivable
that such a delicate and complex prob
lem as that of taxation can advisedly
be settled by a large body of men
such as the legislature, in the limited
time that they must be in session, and
in view of the great variety and num-
Der of cases that must necessarily
come before them for action. | be-
lieve that our law could still he Inn
proved, and our tax commission be
made more efficient by reducing the
membership of the commission to
three members. who shall be salaried
officers Of the state, and shall be re-
qured to give all their time and at
tention to that subject. As the law
stands today, the commissioners are
required TO meet at stated periods and
their time for deliberations on that
important subject is limited by law
really to less than ninety days. / do
not believe that the hest results can
be accomplished by the commission
during the limited time of delberation
for which the law allows them COM
pensation. | therefore recommend
that the law be so amended as to pro-
vide for three salaried officers, to he
known, as tax commissioners, who
shall hold their offices for the period
OF six years the first three commits
sions appointed to classify themselves
BY lot, so that one shall serve for TWO
years, one for four years, and one for
six years, and those thereafter APP
pointed to serve for tho full term of
six years each. The office of said
commissioners to be at the capital of
the state. The commissioners should
have ample power to equalize taxes in
all cases, and sufficient appropria-
ton should he made to enable them
to secure such help as they may need
in the discharge of their duties.
Emergency Public Works Fund.
| recommend that you provide for
the creation of an emergency public
works fund, and for an emergency
public works commission to admins
ter the same in time of need.
Floods.
Action to improve the bed of the
Rio Grande so as to prevent the year
~ floods, is recommended.
Relief for Drouth Sufferers.
There remains about $5000 900 of
the $3.50, 900 appropriated by the
special session of the third legislature
TO assist in the prosecution of the war
Unless otherwise ordered, the govern
or says he will use this money to aid
drouth stricken farmers and stock
men, The legislature is also asked to
endeavor to obtain additional relief
from federal sources.
The creation of farmers bureau in
each county is urged, for the purpose
of aiding farmers in marketing their
crops
Drainage.
Cooperation with the federal gov
eminent is desirable in the scheme to
reclaim about 250,000,000 acres of
land for the purpose of providing
homes for returning soldiers. This
project includes a large area of water
logged and swamp lands in New Mex
leo, principally in the Rio Grande val
ley
Employment for Soldiers.
1t is recommended that the state
council of defense be continued, for
the purpose of assisting in finding
employment for returning soldiers.
Railroads.
The construction of a railroad, from
from some available point on the
Santa Fe to the San Juan country, is
urged.
Womans' Suffrage.
The submission of an amendment to
the constitution providing for women
being admitted to the enjoyment OF
the right of suffrage on an equality
with men, is urged upon the legisla-
ture.
Eight-houf Law for I.aborcrs.
1t is recommended that eight hours
shall constitute days work in all
cases where the law con be made APP
plicable.
Arbitration of differences between
ca pital ana labor Is one of great needs.
The creation of a court of arbitration
is recommended.
Prohibit on.
The legislature should ratify the
national constitutional prohibition
amendment, as well as provide ade-
quate laws for the enforcement of the
recently adopted prohibition amend
ment to the New Mexico constitution
Mines.
Proper laws are needed for the
safeguarding of the persons and lives
of the workers in mines.
Banking.
Some changes in our state banking
laws are needed. The legislature is