Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1920-03-05
MARCH 8. ls2.
MINES TAXATION NATIONAL
PROBLEM.

An organization was formed
some time ago called the National
Tax Association on Mine Taxation.
Its membership included represen-
tation from all classes of mining,
and the purpose was to devise some
system for general adoption over
the country in assessment and tax
alton. so that the industry might
have some established basis upon
which to depend in meeting public
requirements; and that government
all down the line could, rely upon
regular and equitable revenue, with
as near uniformity in taxation of
mines as is possible, At a recent
meeting of this association many
theories and plans for action were
discussed by experts, engineers, at
torneys, mine owners and public
representatives.
d
nal, Director Aspiund, OF the State.
Taxpayers association, submits
practically the fun preliminary re-
port of the committee of the ma
tional organization, and says it is
suggestive of some lines along
which investigation should be made
by the special commission named
by the governor year ago, TO con-
slider mines taxation, or by the in
quiry board the new legislature
authorized.
The report OF the national aHso-
citation committee will be found
on another page Of the Journal to-
day. 1t presents different views
and theories of the proper method
of procedure, and should have con-
sideration of the public generally, /,
as well as of mine owners and pub
lie officials, .f.
Methods of valuation of mines
for taxation by county, state and
government officials have been SO
diverse throughout the country and
so frequently changing that many
problems have arisen from time TO
time, the public sometimes being
told that mines have not been taxed |
in proportion TO other property.
Mine owners and companies have
In many cases held that injustice
lrats haaTa .anfa N txl,arp
There was a time in New Mexico.
when assessors of various counties
had no uniform way of valuing
mines. One county assessor and
board OF county commissioners
might undervalue or over appraise.
FHvoritism, coercion or bad judg-.I
ment were complained of. Otherl
states had the same experience,
and In an effort to remedy passed
laws for tonnage or profits taxes. |
One difficulty ever was the con-
slant decrease in quantity of min
eral remaining In mines and its
varying value was hard TO deter
mine.
several years ago~a law for taxa
ton OF tonnage profits was passed
by the New Mexico legislature, and
system for valuing mineral lands
not producing. Taxation of i'm
was also provided for.
Vne year ago an act was passed |
similar to the above, under an
agreement by mine owners that for
TWO years during which some per-
inanent system might be deyoiyed. |
the mines would pay annually the
average tax Of the previous three
years of great and profitable pro-
The mine companies are
complying with the law. But AS n
matter OF fact, the copper mines
at least, made no profits last yearH
ana may make none in 1890 under
present conditions. 4
The legislature, in extra session
mas now provided for a tax inauirv
hoard. Among its specific duties is !
consideration of the taxation of
mines and method for submission
10 the next regular session OF the
w-makers.
The report of the national asso-
cation considering mines taxes and
discussion before that body has he
come of interest to New, MexinoI
miners and taxpayers. /
III Is important for all concerned |
owners and the public, to whose |
prosperity mines bring much, and |
may bring more in future, that
taxes shall be permanently fair
NO other wish can generally exist. |
but the same principle should |
work out as to other propertv |
compliance with law that |
now is not uniformly obeyed, even
as 10 real estate whose actual vaIue
unlike that Of mines, can be deter
and is known when sold.
The State Tax Commissio,
through Secretary Joergens has
just made public a tabulated state
inent of nearly 1000 realty trans
fers, by counties, showing that the
general average of assessed vaIue
OF realty transferred was hut ga
per cent OF the prices realized
though in some counties the as
sessed value was more or less, run
ming from "a to 95 per cent of the |
saies value. This Discrepancy will |
aiso be the subject of thought by
'he tax inquiry body.
IL is greatly to be desired that
some permanent plan for mines
AVIATION and for Improvement in
and collection of all
properly taxes shall be agreed upon |
10 this state, and causes Of com
PLANT and OF evasion nv inaivId-