Albuquerque morning journal., 1921-02-22
NO FURTHER DELAY.

So vital is it that the public fully understand
the mine tax compromise proposal now being whls-
pered about Fe that at the peril of tire
some reiteraton, the journal wishes to further ex-
plain its real significance.
After having adroty set the stage for the COM
promise proposal by proper showing of the al
legged immense difficulties of applying an ad
valorem tax to the mines and an enlargement upon
the uncertainty of the revenues to be obtained from
such a tax, the compromise is being conducted to
the center of the stage to make its appeal to the
public for approval. Like all stage settings, these
also pure sham.
The compromise proposal is that the present net
output tax be continued for two years more eX-
cept that the average output for the past
five years be used a basis instead of the average
net output for the years 1916-17-18 as at present
1t is proposed that, in the meantime expert ad
vaorem assessment be made to ascertain what
revenues such an assessment would produce.
Such a compromise suggests the compromise
os she husband and wife. He wanted wooIen blan-
she cotton sheets They compromised on cot
sheets
his mine tax proposal simply means a Two
postponement of the whole question in the
that within that time the public demand
will become quiescent 1t is an effort to wear the
public out.
AS a matter of fact there is no great difficulty
in passing to an ad valorem basis for the mines. II
would Simply put them in the same class with all
other kinds of property and they would be as
sessed according to the best judgment of the State
Tax Commission as to their reasonable going value,
railroads or the homes of our readers.
equire some time to bring such assess
to their full value just it has taken
ring the railroads up, but the problem of
/ they should be assessed is one for the
State Tax Commission to struggle with
The danger of the ad valOTem system Ia that
the mines will not be taxed high enough through
lack of expert knowledge the part Of the tax
commission Therefore the law authorizes the en-
ployment of expert mining engineers to assist the
commission If the commission feels that it does
not need experts it is not compelled to employ them
Whether experts used not, the law puts the
duty of final decision upon the commission just as
it does with your property, gentle reader If they
employ experts the commission accept or reject
the finding made, or modify it, as the commission
ers may feel that justice requires.
We say that the danger IS that the assessment
will be too low instead of too high. for if it is
too high the mine owners appeal to the Su-
preme Court to protect them against discrimination
confiscation. They are in no danger of being
compelled to do more than their share.
No greater fraud was ever attempted against the
than the effort to frighten the people and
legislators into the belief that the states pres
venues will be endangered during the transi-
If expert help not be had at once the
ssion place initial assessment against
the mines of a sufficient amount to produce the
revenue paid under the present law. To illus
trate: The present assessment of the surface i'm
provements of the Chino Copper company plus the
net output tax paid, produces given amount at
present--say $35OOOO per year. This sum would
be equivalent to the amount produced by as
sessed valuation of 100000 in Grant county
where the mine is located. Therefore the putting
of an initial ad valOrem assessment of not less than
600 upon this property would produce not
less than $350,000 in revenues. Such assessment
would be far too low. 1t certainly could not be
contended that it too high, for the mines are
already paying that amount of taxes under the
net output law and anxious to continue under
that law. SO injustice and no stopping of rev.
enues could result.
As matter of fact, the Chino owners we'll know
that soon a thorough investigation could be
had their valuations would be placed much higher.
That is why they are fighting 50 strenuously
Every year of delay which the mine owners can
force means added year Of special favoritism for
them. Upon what possible excuse can Governor
Mechem grant them further immunity? We say
"Governor Mechem,' for he can persuade the legis-
lature if he will
AS the law stands the mine owners are
given the privilege of deciding for themselves how
much taxes they will pay. Do you know of any one
else who is granted this special privilege?
In months gone by the journal has repeatedly
offered to open its columns to the mine owners to
allow them to get their views before the public
They have not availed themselves of the privilege
We renew the offer agreeing to Sve them
conspicuous space, If they have case which win