Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1920-10-08
JUST ASSESSMENTS.

The discrepancy between the assessed valuation
and the alleged actual valuation of the private prop
erty of certain advocates of the election of Judge
Hanna is being quoted freely by Bursum news
papers as an evidence of the insncerty of these
Hanna supporters as advocates of just and equt-
able tax law.
&C such items are proof of nothing except of the in
sincerity of the editor in far any desire for tax
reform concerned and of their total lack OF impair
tial logic.
Everybody knows the low level in tax matters
TO which public sentiment has dropped in New Mex
leo under the guiding hand of the "od gang In
dividuas, who deplore the situation are victims OF
it. As we have repeatedly said no man or group
of men can improve the conditions by raising thelf
own assessments to proper levels
As things now stand New Mexico penalties a man
fcr his hen~s il he raises his assessment above the
level of his fellows. We put premium upon dis
honesty and encourage perjury In this course hon
est men justify themselves by the facts OF the sit
uation.
The law contemplates full ad vaorem assessment
OF all property excepting mines. To avoid getting
the worst of it" all press their valuations as
low as their neighbors low valuation with a high
tax rate has come to be the rule in utter de1iance
of the law.
So low is the moral perception and code OF the
sold crowd" that they have permitted politics to
sink the situation it's present deporably low level
A 49, va
be positively confscatory and unbearabe'
Even if the people of entire county rose to
sense of compliance with the law, it would not solve
.he problem. As compared to other counties they
would pay an excessive part of the burden OF state
government.
The mne-tax situation has been prime factor IN
bringing about the present situation In conjunction
with the Organization they have fought to remain
under a special law of outrageousy unjust nature
They have been unwilling to come to an ad VaIorem
basis with the rest of the state.
~! From the top down public sentiment has been
honey -combed with dishonesty, in self-defense In
the reaction have reached state OF NINA "hefe
the state government is enemy to be guarded
against if confscation is to be avoided instead OF
the state of mind that this is "our" government to
be gladly supported in our just proportion.
This whole situation is due to a bad governmental
yituation The state is at fault. All this because
the "od gang has been running the state in the i'm
rterest of the few and to the injury of the many
A moral renovation in the government IS neces-
sarv The mines must "kick in" for their fun amount
itis as all others must be compelled to do. Taxa
! zion must be put upon professional" instead of a
political" basis. Scientific justice. as nearly as may
= be- must be done. The mode of assessment must
he improved and made professional
All must feel confidence that they are safe in
being honest and will thereby pay only just snare
of governmental costs. If any attempt to be
dishonest it should be made difficult as possible
The legal penalty should be great. Soon the pubhc
condemnation would be even greater pehaItN But
. an honest sincere state government must MAKE Tue
! start with an adequate tax system.
III The special revenue commission should make It's
report now. We are sure it will confirm all that we
Have ever said. Politics shot not deter them
Come on gentlemen, let us have~he report.
ts'f with a decent assessed valuation we will jump
1sYrom total assessed valuation of s370,OOO,OO0 to
more than 81 600 600 in the state. Yet the av-
erage man will pay less taxes.
The day this happens will be the birthday OF
New Mexico's great growth and expansion. That
day new moral atmosphere will begin to permeate
men in their political thinking. Justice in govern
ment will come rapidly
A. Little men, paid advocates of present conditions,
r,ust not he allowed to delay the coming of that day