Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1920-08-30
Mr.. Hagerman Makes statement.

MIR. Hagerman Makes statement.
Editor Morning Journal;
Referring to a recent editorial IN
your paper in regard to the hear
ings before the special revenue
commission in Santa Fe, it would
be most unfortunate for the cause
which the commission is aiming Ia
promote If the impression should
be allowed to prevail that any of its
members were in any way antag-
| onistic to the Journal or to its ed
itor. l am sure that you must
yourself be actuated by a desire to
bring about better conditions in
New Mexico, and that you would
not knowingly attribute to others
any personal prejudices or I'M
worthy motives, without giving the
matter the most careful considera-
ton; and that If you felt you found
you were wrong in doing so, you
would so state.
The revenue commission was
created for the purpose of trying
to find some effective method of
meeting a crisis now existing in
the affairs of New Mexico, and the
problems before it are so complex
that there will be no chance CT
solving them unless we have the
fullest cooperation of those whose
co-opera ton we have right to ex-
pect. Most of all we have a right
to feel that the press Of the state
is in sympathy with our work.
Certainly the cause will not be pro-
NOTED by the dissemination of the
idea that the commission is not
impartial. On further thought /
am sure you must see that the
statement in the editorial men
toned was unwarranted, and |
trust that in all fairness you will
say SO.
While it would be manifestly
improper to indicate any of the
conclusions that may have been
reached by the revenue commission,
| wish particularly to bring to your
attention at this time that fact that
one truth has been strikingly borne
in upon the minds of all the mem
bers of the commission during last
weeks hearings. Whatever sub
ject was under discussion, what
ever phase Of the problem in hand,
it was constantly driven in upon us
that the one essential requisite TO
any plan, any scheme, any pro
gram, to bring about better condi-
tions in our taxation and revenue
system-or in general government
is the personnel of the admins
tration. There is the fundamental
basis of the whole affair, there is
the place where we can commence
here and now without waiting for
any new laws, or even for any re-
adjustments or for any amend
ments to our present system. That
part of the matter is absolutely III
the hands of the people, OF the
voters themselves, and nothing
whatever can be actually accom-
pished by this commission, or any
other commission, unless the people
themselves elect to exercise the
power they hold to make effective
any proper program which may be
proposed.
1t was practically the unanimous
view of all who participated at
these hearings that the assessing
machinery as now conducted by q !
large majority of the county asses
sors in this state is sadly deflclent, |
and that with ADLER men in the Of
flee of county assessor-men VINO
would actually conduct that Office
as the law contemplates 1t SHOULD |
be conduCted--a very great I'M
provement over the present condl- |
tons could be made, even under
the present laws. 1t was the unan-
imous opinion that if the system
of county assessors is continued,
no new laws, however well con-
ceived, can greatly improve con-
ditions, unless ADLER men are chos-
en- for these offices. 1t was prac-
tically agreed that II the assess
ment of property were placed. as
some contend that it should be, in
a central authority, that such CEN
traliZed assessment could not be
made efficient unless the people
insisted and demanded
and saw to it that the personnel
of that central assessing authority
was of the highest possible quality.
Whether such central authority be
or whether the assessing
of property remains in the county
the basic problem re-
mains the problem of getting the
right sort of men to administer the
job.
That is where your paper and all
other newspapers can, If they viii,
be of the greatest help at this time.
wish that the press would stress
The fact that for the very first
time in our history, as a nation and
rs a state, the matter of the cost
IF government and of the strain
md the burden of taxation, to meet
his great cost. is actually a vital
matter to the average citiZen;l
hat so much of our receipts are
being appropriated and taken over
1y the government authorities that
)ur liberty of action is being seri-
)usly impaired; that industry is
,eing seriously interfered with;
freedom of opportunity definitely !
,urtailed. You can show that now
he matter of taxes, instead of be-
ng merely incidental to our lives
md activities, has through the
tress of war and because of an
'poch of careless extravaganza in
actually become a ma
or question in our economic lives,
md that the only solution of the
lies in the hands of the
people themselves.
You can show that the question j
an never be answered properly
Until the voters find and elect for
'ublic office, legislative and admin
county and state, men
Who are not only capable but de-
irous of getting ct and going
through with these problems from
bigger standpoint than that OF i,
mere political expediency or par !
isan advantage. 1t should be urged
pom the people now, at this mo-
nent, that if they really want 10
ave themselves from financial em- :
in the near future. II
hey really want to get property on