Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1921-09-10
TAKING FROM THE POOR.

The Journal feels in duty bound to point out
to the voter the objections which holds to amend
ment No. 4. submitted to the people fer their action
The republican convention approved this amend
ment. We assume, therefore that Senator Bursum
is not opposed It, We say this in fairness to the
senator. He is in way responsible for the Jour
nails views.
We would like to be in favor OF any legislation
which seems to have its moving purpose some
recognition of the great service rendered by the
soldiers of our various wars. We will favor any
sane and equitable relief measure, for their benefit.
Our debt to them cannot be paid in full by any
thing do.
To this measure we have several objections
which should appeal as strongly to the service man
to any one else
If we are to attempt relief for the service men
we should help, first. those most in need of help,
then, If we can do So extend the help to the less
needy This proposal exactly reverses that theory.
The provision of this amendment authorizes
the legislature to give service men exemption on
$4,000 of property. In other words, the ordinary
tax payer has the right to hold 5000 in property
which is exempt from taxation The service MAJ
would have an exemption of $1,000 more than that
amount
If all men who served in the had property
of the aggregate value EACH Of $4,000 this provision
would confer upon them annual bonus Of about
500 per man. If all had the property necessary 20
avail themselves of this it would constitute an an
nual cash bonus Of about $2,500,OOO. For poor
state like New Mexico to attempt any such load
would be economically suicidal. 1t could not be
done. Still, the Journal would prefer to see that
undertagen than to the present plan adopted.
1t would be equitable between service men, at least
But this proposal gives to the service man who
ts fortunate enough to have $4,000 in property,
bonus Of s63 per year. To the service man VINO
has nothing 1t gives nothing Therefore instead OF
helping the most in need of help 1t helps thosc
least in need of it.. The whole theing is fraud on
the average service man, discriminating IN favor Vi
his more fortunate brother.
There is no way to arrive at the amount ot
nronertv which will be exempt under this provision
II it is adopted. We suspect it will amount to aoo
5000 900. This would mean about haif mlihoh
dollars year of taxes from which service men were
exempted. If feel We can afford to distribute
that sum among these men, let US pay the oV'oVo
service men in the state pension of $40 eacn
Then we will not be showing favors to the we-to-uo
among them at the expense of the rest.
This whole thing Is absolutely unfair ar
rangemen; as far the service men themselves are
concerned and they should be the ones TO swat ~
Indirect special privileges wrong in princi-
pie. They always hide from the people the truth OF
what is going To exempt $l5o'o'1oo from '"A
alton is equivalent to collecting 100000 in cash
NV taxation and then distributing that cash. But
q looks very different 1t fools the people. They
fail to realize its full import
We have no sympathy with that provision OK
this amendment which requires that the man pro-
curing the exemption be the bona fide owner OF tn
property If a service man. actually havihe sI'VVv
in property, is entitled to an exempteh winch WI
he equivalent to $50 soldiers bonus then any other
man who rendered equivalent service in the war Is
entitled to $50 soldiers bonus ALSO If he is pen
allied out of getting 1t becouse he Is poor 1t is :"
rank discrimination against him. If he can take over
the property Of his father mother or brother 50
that the family can benefit by receiving the $685. why
should he not be permitted to do so?
ITO him that hath shall be given 10 MN thu'
hot, mot shall be taken away that which ne
hath" =,
Such a doctrine is repugnant to our sense OIL
Justice and fairness We against 1t.