The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1920-07-20
MAKING ENDS MEET

A LETTER is published in another column today from Rupert
~ II. Asplund, director of the State Taxpayers association, who
is also secretary of the special revenue commission appointed
by Governor Larrazolo to investigate taxation and revenue needs in
this state and to report with recommendations to the next legislature
The letter is IN reply to a request from The Herald for the view of the
taxpayers organization v regards increased pay for school teachers
The association explains its attitude in this regard, which is the fair
stand that New Mexico schools come first, that their expense bills
must be paid and that teachers in this state must be paid better wages
in return for a more efficient service.
At the same time Mr.. Aspund directs attention to the necessity
for evening mp the state expense account somewhere, so that there
may be no further burdens upon the mass of taxpayers and so that
ends may be made to meet. He suggests the possibility of elimination
of some of the states overhead, in the way Of needless executive de-
partments and employees and perhaps means this to apply all the way
down into county and community service. 1t is a fact that we have
too many employees. This applies everywhere in the national. state
and local governments. None of them are paid exorbhant salaries
The majority OF salaries are too meager under present conditions, to
attract or hold the best class of ability, vhere.salary alone is the con-
sideraton- But what we save on meager salaries we make up for in
number Of employees; and we go way over a balance in that way.
The special point in Mr.. Asplunds letter that we would like to
emphasize especially, however, is the fact that the special revenue
commission is a board that is really undertaking a big work in a.
thoroughly big and businesslne way It is composed of men Of the
first ability, in whom the people generally have confidence, It is
headed by II. j. Hagerman OF Roswell who is giving the major pr.
ton of his time to directing the work.
This board has set out to find out what is The matter with New
Mexicos revenue system; who are not taxed enough and who are
taxed too much; where taxes and revenues can be increased; and
where expenditures can be cut down or made productive Of results
for the public welfare. This commission will present a report to the
ncxt Legislature @hith' will summarize its conclusions These con-
illusions. it is clear from the work that has been done and that is pro,
posed to do, will not be wild guesses Or theories. They are to be
based upon facts and conditions. The commission is visiting the
mines and DO doubt a main portion of is report will be devoted to
changes In the system Of taxing mines, which is a favorite theme of
refornaers Of every variety. Another main portion will be devoted
to state and local Implications of public work which may perhaps be
eliminated, involving the elimication of various public jobs.
This commission has a thankless job. as most very important jobs
Of the kind prove to be when t~houghtfully and conscientiousy un
dertaken and performed Its conclusions win not go far enough, we
have no doubt, to please the type Of alleged reformer who holds that
any corporation able to pay its taxes and maintain a payroll, is rob
5ing the people. 1t will, no doubt, go considerably further than will
meet she approval Of a certain type of mining corporation that holds
tax-dodgirg to be legitimate as long as it can be put over. Also there
are the job holders and hunters whose places this report may put in
jeopardy and among whom the commission will not be very popular
The fact remains that here, finally, is an intelligent effort to find
out.what needs to be done with the taxation and revenue situation
and with the budget problems Of New Mexico, being conducted by
mon who have the courage to go after all the facts and base their
conclusions on what they find to be right and for the best interest Of
tn. state as a whloe. The work Of this commission, therefore, will
be more valuable to the people than all the rantng and snortng and
gallery playing that will be cramled into this campaign; and much
more important than wasting time with the ranters, the guessers and
the gallery players, IL seems to us, will be for the people of the whole
state to take an active personal interest in electing to the next legis
lature. house and senate, solid, dependable, competent citizens whose
feet are on the ground and whose eyes and hands are constantly to
the front men who cannot be led, tricked or driven into unworthy
courses by political leaders or considerations who cannot be scared
the courage and intelligence to take the findings Of this special rev.
enue commission and do with those findings what is best for New
Mexico and its people, without fear or favor.
Get your mind working on four such men here in BernallloI
county. Thstis the number we have to elect to the next Legislature
besides a half interest in a shoestring senator.
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