Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1921-03-06
FROM GOVERNOR HAGERMAN.


SO important does the Journal consider the fol-
are surrendering editorial space to it today
Editor.
II do not know that l can add much to what l
have said before. My views of little importance
except they reflect public opinion.
1.-The situation, it appears to me, is not COM
plicated. There is no good reason why, because of
recent developments, anyone should be confused or
uncertain to what the issues really are. Both
political parties in the recent state campaign assured
that mines should actually be taxed on the same
basis other property. The people generally are
certain that they have not been so taxed and that
they not being taxed and that they are on the
whole, bearing less than their proper share of the
burden of taxation. That feeling has been pro-
nounced for some years, that during the special ses-
sion in 1920 it eliminated in the creation of a com
mission, the main purpose Of which was to invest-
gate the whole question of mine taxation. While it is
true that this commission empowered to go into
the income tax and all other phases of taxation and
revenue problems and that it did pretty thorough
ly this mine tax business the real reason for its
creation The mining interests wished to again
postpone settlement of the question and they did so.
They undoubtedly also wanted honest inquiry into
that question. The commission after as full and
impartial an investigation laid within its power,
with the best advice it could secure, and after
haustive hearings, recommended the ad valorem tax
for all mineral properties in the state.
an the commissions report it is stated What the
people of New Mexico undoubtedly demand when
they insist upon equitable mine tax is the policy
of placing the mining industry precisely the same
basis the other economic interests of the state. The
mine representatives themselves avow that they seek
preferential treatment, and defend the present
method of taxing mines the ground that it
achieves equality of treatment. We believe, then,
that practically united support for the
view that should seek solution of the mine tax
problem which will result in placing the mines in the
same position other interests, not in better or a
worse position the tax levied mines
tainly taxes levied tangible property In order
to mt the constitutional requirements that taxes
shall equal and uniform subjects of taxation of
the class it is apparent that taxation in prac-
tice must result in a burden mine property which
corresponds closely possible to the burdens i'm
posed other tangible property of the same value
the inadequacy of the present method of taxing
mines is admitted by those who benefit from
the arrangement, the admission being in some cases
open and frank and in cases tacit and indirect
*The whole system is ineXact and inarbitrary as
a method of arriving at market value, 1t isinequit-
able both between mines class and other
property and between different mining properties
within the class.
1t seems to us to be clear both that the
present method Of taxing mines is grossly nequtable
that there is possibility of evolving any type
of product tax which can confidently recommend
a reasonably certain to correct the situation
90" We propose that the entire assessment of
mining property be placed in the hands of the State
Tax Commission and that in making assessments
they shall all available data such investor
would consider in determining how much he would
be willing to pay for the property.
80 As a result of our consideration of the prob
lens of mines and taxation submit the following
definite recommendation:
a. That new legislation be passed specifying
that all mining property shall be valued precisely
the general principles other real estate; and
that chapter IS of the laws of 1915 be repealed
SO. That power to assess all mines and mineral
property be vested in the State Tax Commission as
recognized in accordance with our recommendations
made elsewhere in this report and
"3. That the State Tax commission be supplied
with the necessary professional assistance.
II stand squareIy on these recommendations of
the commission. There is nothing in the
course of events since the completion of the report
to alter the convictions expressed by colleagues
and myself in chapter of that report. On the con-
trary these convictions have because of the course
OF events since the completion of the report and the
converting of the legislature been strengthened rath
err than weakened.
"These events very briefly summarized are as fol-
lows:
From the moment the commissions report was
made public it apparent that its findings on the
matter of mine taxation wholly unacceptable to
the mining interests and that these interests would
do all that could be done directly. indirectly, to
defeat them. This was apparent in many ways 1t