Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1921-01-22
EMERGENCY RELIEF AND PERMANENT
ADVANTAGE.

Governor Mechem has sent to the legislature
a special message concerning the predicament il
which the cattle and sheep in New Mexico
lind themselves by reason of the recession in value
Of their livestock This matter should have the i'm.
enedite and serious attention of the legislature
method should be found for relieving the financial
strain wherever lenency is necessary in order tc
aid the stocRman.
All this should be accomplished by means of an
Emergency discretionary power given to the land
commissioner Unless the present provisions of law
are harmful in normal times either to the state or
is lessees, there should be no permanent change
IN them merely to relieve the present emergency
rare must be taken that a perpetual "snap" is not
allowed und9r the guise of emergency relief
The state lands must be regarded as a trust
und of the most sacred character. They should be
administered with that trust in mind But every
possible relief, consistent with that trust should be
extended in those individual where it is abso-
utely necessary. Necessity, not merely convenience
hould be the prerequisite for departure from a
Fisely thought out general policy.
Would it not be a sounder policy to confer the
discretion upon the land commissioner to postpone
me payment of rentals interest in those indvid-
aal cases where upon written showing made and
inferred OF record, it is found to be necessary? The
Foley of so changing the law as to permanently
'ermit the rentals to be deferred until the end of
me year is not sound general policy. A bust
ess man would not do this except as an emer-
ency measure, nor should the state make it a per-
aanent policy
u With reference to striking out the provision
nat the commissioner of public lands can, upon
Airty days notice cancel any lease where applica-
ION has been made for the purchase of the land it
GOULD seem to be wiser policy to authorize two
4asses of leases, one as now written and the other
18th an immunity clause against cancellation. The
ssee could then take his choice between the lease
object to cancellation and the one affording him
annuity. The latter would command a some
hat higher rental because of the security it would
We the lessee.
The commissioner should be authorized to make
/ remittitur upon leases in force in such
mount per annum be finds just during the
resent emergency but certainly no reductions in
ntais upon long term leases should be made at
as time for the term of the lease. 1t will serve
e ends of justice to authorize the commissioner
make reductions from time to time until condi-
ans improve.
Il Applications for relief should be made indvid-
Aliy9 and in writing. A complete record of the
its Justifying the relief should be kept The an /
scation should also contain the agreement of the |
upiicant that any amounts RENTED during the /
Esent emergency may be re-assessed by the land /
'Enmissioner in the future against any lands upon
| sich the applicant may have lease.
: The classification Of the lands of the state
gJlutI y Al'ue compulsory ana upon completion II
mthht work, the present rentals should be lowered
d raised according to the character of the land
Hsed We should exact more and no less than
ID be reasonably paid.
IA AS to the recommendation that purchasers of Il
Ee land be taxed only upon their actual equity in
III land, the Journal has not, at this time an
lHnon If the purchaser of property is to be taxed
7Hy upon his equity the question arises in our
Had why justice would not demand that it apply
'Eau persons and all classes of real property? It
~ occurs to the lay mind that a contract with the
re is a contract completely as between indi-
alals and that eniency in deferring the payments
aaxes in the present crisis is as far as the state
Aud go. 1t is difficult to see why the buyer who
swat the time of purchase what his assessment
Mid be should be permanently relieved of his II
tract obligation over long term of years mere-
because he is temporarily embarrassed An ex- II
zion of time would seem to be the present
@edy.
The Journal approves the spirit of the recon-
Adations of Governor Mechem His purpose TO II
I've the stocknien in the present crisis is laud-
p. He surely would not, however have the state
Rrupon permanent policy which is unwise in II
efforts to effect that temporary relief II
zStockmen who have contracts with the state
Gid not be allowed to seize upon the present |
- ~ to attempt to wiring unreasonable and per- II
Lent concessions from the state. II
z.urking behind all this agitation can be seen |
shadow of Charles Springer the gray. wolf of II
LAX, whose trackless winds itself through |
s legislation of the past ten years or more. |
|Ht ID he who sees In the present situation the