Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1920-11-27
TAKE POLITICS OUT OF OFFICE
OF ASSESSOR, PROFESSIONALISM
SERVICE, SAYS REVENUE BODY
Equity Cannot Be Expected Without Trained
Assessors; Bold Program Is Outlined; Pres
ent Assessors and Deputies Would Be Re-
tanned; Three Full Time State Tax Commits
sioners Suggested.
lRY CIINT0N p ANnERsnNl

Santa Fe, Nov. 26.-lf the evils
of tax commission are to be elimi-
mated a bold course must be taken,
according to the report of the spe-
cial revenue commission which has
considered the entirely revenue
raising and revenue -disbursing ma =
chinery of the state. The local
county assessors have fallen down
and a professionalism service must
be instituted if the people are to
realize their hopes with reference
to better taxation methods, accord
irg to chapter two of the report.
AT the very beginning we wish
to record our conviction that the
trouble with taxation in this state
lies not so much in the shortcOm-
inss of the tax system as in the in
adequacy of the administration, "
the commission declares, THE
witnesses who appeared before us
We're unanimous in their testimony
that the system of locally elected
county assessors had broken down
that the assessors We're ordinarily
chosen for considerations quite
apart from their technical qualifi-
cations or efficiency; and that, in
short, the office had become a
political football"
The commission points out that
as long as the statute forbids hold
ing office more than two terms,
there is no possibility, that the po-
sition will come TO be regarded as
a professional one in which re-
wards will be apportioned accord
ing to ability, attainment and faith
full service.
The offices are political spoils
and the assessment functions have
doSenerated to a point where they
consist Of q mechanical unques-
toned acceptance of almost any
return which the taxpayer may be
disposed to render" the report
concludes.
Must Face Problem.
The report stressed the folly of
demanding equity in the distribu-
ton of The tax burden" or the fun
and accurate assessment of prop
erty as difficult to value as mines
and coal reserves unless the people
of this state are enough in earnest
to pay the price of good admins.
tratipn. No substantial. perma.
nenti progress can be made unless
we are willing to face squarely this
Fundamental problem. Our only
road TO tax reform is one that leads
away from the conception of the
tax administrator as a political Of.
flee holder and approached tho
conception of the administrator az
a professional technician whose
prosperity and well being dependa
entirely upon his skill, impartiality
and industry"
The commission declares that II
had hoped to be able to recommend
some moderate change, but its
search for one has been fruitless
Its members are convinced that
the only feasible course is bold
course-a complete reorganization
OF the machinery of assessment.
Tax Commission Praised.
Referring to the state tax COM
mission, the commission states: "It
is our opinion that the state tax
commission has fully justified its
existence. It's work has given gen.
eral satisfaction and much i'm
provements as have developed in
property assessments are directly
traceable to its activities. Fur
ther progress is to be sought in
materially strengthening the re-
sources and powers of this COM
mission. Our suggestions for
changes in the tax laws will result
in increasing the duties of the COM
to an extent which will
justify the appointment of three
men on a full-time basis in place
of the present arrangement which
consists of one full-time and two
part-time commissioners" Higher