The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1920-12-21
LEGISLATURE TO
GET MANY CALLS
FOR MORE MONEY
Demands of State Insti-
tutions to Present
Difficult Problem

SANTA FE. N. NJ, Dec. 2i.-What
New Mexico needs now In n Legislature
composed Of wizards. men who, In the
legislative and financial fields, viii
be all that Luther Burbank has been
IN the vegetable kingdom. They viii
literally have TO make some $40 pen
before. There has not heen u time
in the history OF New Mexico when
constructive skill and prophetic vision
wore 30 urgently needed.
For several years there has been
growing In some quarters and among
some elements OF citizenship n de-
mand for rctronchment in every de-
partment OF the states administrative
affairs. Only n part OF this demand
has any foundation In fact and posi-
bility, During the recent campaign
a vast deal was written n spoken
TO the general effect that consider
ably less than half the property In
the state IL being taxed. The real
purpose OF these wild statements was
not no much to describe actual con-
dltionB as to make votes through the
creating OF dissatisfaction with the
legislative aud administrative work
OF the dominant party. There Is much
room for Improvement In, the lax
and inefficient methods Of listing
property In the several counties, but
the raising OF the standard by some
2j to 50 percent would not produce
revenue great enough to meet the
increasing needs. II In almost GER
lain that the mine tax Law Will be
revised. no as to Impose a much heav-
Ter tax upon the operating mine prop
critics: but n reasonable improvement
In this direction will not mean any
substantial reduction In the taxes OF
other property owners.
Institutions Want Funds
Over on the other side OF the leg
islative ledger IL to he set down the
most insistent demand for more mon
cy. This demand comes from prac-
tlcally every state institution, and
In addition, from every section OF the
state where good roads and better
school are necessities. II In Fatd upon
good authority that every educational
institution. with the exception OF the
school for the deaf and dumb, at
Santa Fe. will have to ask h legis-
lature Tor deficiency appropriations
TO cover deficits. There Is no room
for doubt about the Agricultural coll
ieEe, which has "a net deficit Of more
than $50. 900. One other institution
has O deficit that already is moro
than 90 percent Of the yearly main
nance FUND. Tho University. at AL
W ~ 49,
OF the situation by It's board OF trus'
tees, finds that n building OF $780,
600 Is lmperntivcly needed. The PEN
itentlary needs about $500. 900 To be-
gin to put tho institution into fair
condition. There ought to he eN-
pended not less than 100000 for On
addition to the capital. other instr
tptiona have building programs or
real merit. Now against these claims
put the Statement OF some men who
serve In this next legislature; Not
q dollar Ia TO be appropriated for new
buildings.
Manlfestly, there must be a recon-
cilIatlon OF these two opposing pro-
grams. But how to reconcile them
will tax tho ingenuity OF New McNlcos
nbiest men and women.
Larger Capital Needed
The people OF the state recently
voted down the proposed bond issue
Of 100000 for the construction OF
an addition to the capital. Ana yet
such an addition IN n real necessity
n the peoples business In not to sut-
fer badly. Peforc the Legislature Is
convened on January II, tho draft
Ing department of the state highway
commission. numbering ~ men ana
now occupying the scnate chamber
will be dispossesscd. The state de-
Dnrtmcnt OF nGultn, inc lIuNtlHlb uu-
ditor and the state tax commission
also are occupying rooms that belong
to the legislature and VIII have TO DC
vacated. II has beer years since the
state bank examiner has had quar-
tiers in the building. The Department.
OF education occupies quarters not
one-third large enough, while the
state HIGHWAY commission and
the state highway engineers depart
mcnts need four OF five times their
present mount OF space. The land
commissioners md the state cor
porstlon commissions quarters arc
badly crowded.
Another proposed bond issue OF w.
100000 was voted Town In the re-
cent election. This was for the con
Htructiou OF roads. and was TO pro-
vide the states share Of the program
for federal aid roads, for which tht
federal appropriation already IL avail
able. II the states share Is not mad,
available now through another specia
road lovy. the state will be unabl
10 take advantage OF the federal Of,
fer. and consequently the sthto WI
lose the golden opportunity TO secure
several million dollars worth OF sadlN
needed roads.