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

- AS we have said and again, no thought
full wishes to be unjust to the mining companies
in the matter of taxation Certainly the Journal
wants nothing but exact and even-h handed justice
forrthem. We have pleaded with them to come for
ward and announce a decision to agree TO fair
deal and avoid the necessity for fight.
But they have felt themselves too firmly in
trenched. Too long they had paid comparatively
nothing into the public treasury. They could not
see their way clear to release such sinicure. Men
enjoying special privileges under personally
conducted law rarely see. in time that their
day of special privilege is over They hang and
personal hurt follows in the wake of the public re-
sentiment aroused, for the purpose of jarring them
loose from their pap. usually has but
seldom has sense.
Until the journal came forward in the interests
of the public there was practically no agitation in
print of the frighful robbery of the state by the
mining companies. 1t cheaper to the ave-
nues of publicity than to pay taxes. A newspaper
Sanesthetc for the public cheaper than a tax
physic for their moral health
We have only just begun campaign against
them yet these great corporations so strongly in
trenched that most people trembed temerity
in attacking them, already showing signs of
weakening.
The Herald for several years the mine owners
personally controlled mouhpiece has always re-
pressed agitation by refusing to print any commu-
mine operators, but, instead has hooted at all who
spoke for justice "erratic," radicals and
"scheming politicians" Thus the public has been
kept uniformed and consequently quescent, while
the systematic robbery has gone on. An atrophy of
the public conscience has been the result
A few days ago the Herald carried the news of
the Santa Fe coal suit only because they knew we
would print it the following morning They knew
publicity coming and that repression was
less. Not only would silence their part look like
scoop" for us, but their silence would look very
significant TO the public. So they made a rye face
and published it,
The spell of omnous silence on tax matters is
broken. The mine owners know that the public will
be enraged at their corruption. Cowardy panic is
replacing complasant arrogance.
Their mouthpiece admits now that the tonnage
tax is "a virtual evasion of taxation" The Herald
has known this since 1915. In August of 1920 it gets
ready, in a spasm of virtue, confess to the pub
lie, because silence could not be had from the Jour
nal and it must all come out.
But look at the joke! Does the Herald assail
the law and demand its repeal an unconscionable
theft? o, no; it wants its constitutonality passed
on before the next assembly meets We demand its
repeal when the assembly meets and demand its at
tack by the attorney general at in a suit to
recover taxes avoided in the last five years. Every
body knows it is unconstitutional
- Then the Herald pleads for sanity in dealing with
the taxation OF mines. 1t talks about fair dealing"
and taxation verging confiscaton." Its solicit
tude for the mine owners who have shown such skill
in looking after their interests is pathetic.
1t warns against "the politician in search of per-
sonal advantage, the offce-seeker on the trail
OF a job"
1t is very significant that through this mouth
piece the arrogant despoiers of the people now
pleading for justice Justice what they did not
want two months ago; now, justice is their prayer
How times do change! Yet we join them in demand |
ing justice only-not confiscation.
se If the republican leaders do not see the hand
writing the WALL confess the sin of party acquies
cence in such frauds and step out platform of
reform, the party is doomed. Yet to this moment
they fighting against most of the reforms the
Journal demands,
And their defense is that we are newcomer
trying to run the party We aren't trying to run
anything but the Journal but goodness knows some
body besides them needs to try his hand at it, i'll
decency is to prevail We suggest that the rank and
file, try running 1t for time, for change.
And the Hon. Thomas Hughes repressor Of news
of such crimes against the public; publicity for
the rnine-owners petty boss Of their clans thinks
we ought to support his wish Cor a complimentary
delegation from Ber.lalillo county for goveruor
Does the public second Mr.. Hughes motion?