Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1921-12-11

promise from this point of view.
| We are entitled to definite infor-
| nation as to the matter Of MAIN
| tenance costs.
Distinct advances have of late
been made toward adjusting varl-
Gus important matters which have
been subject to general controversy
and of considerable comment on
the part Of the Taxpayers associa-
ton.
Under a recent opinion of the
attorney general the commissioner
of public lands has turned into the
state treasury about a half million
dollars held for some time by the
land department. Most of this
was money advanced on oil leases.
The commission still holds on de-
post some 100000 heretofore al
yanced on lease and purchase and
contracts. This he is quite ready
to turn into the treasury so that 1t
will be available for school funds,
and that they may draw interest
as soon as he is sure that the at
torney generals opinion applies to
these as well as to oil lease funds
When this is done one of the main
causes of controversy as to the adj
ministrationt of that office will
have been removed.
The passing of these and other
funds into the treasurer's balances
only emphasizes the position we
and others have long held, that a
far sounder system for the central
control of state revenues and ex-
n n ~
should promptly be inaugurated.
There is not time to go into this
matter in detail; suffice it to say
that nothing that has occurred
since the adjournment of the last
legislature can in any sense be re-
garded otherwise than confirma-
tory of the recommendations made
by the revenue commission in this
regard, Two members of the state
board Of finance are alive to the
public demand that all state funds
should actually be under the con-
trol-both as to custody and dis
bursement--of an efficient, train
ed, industrious official, the whole
of whose time is devoted to the du-
ties of his office. The present laws
governing this branch Of our gov
eminent are not what they should
be, but that makes it all the more
necessary that until they can be
amended they be strictly enforced.
Some method whereby satisfactory
periodic audits of all state as well
as county fiscal offices is not only
generally demanded but absolutely
imperative. The equipment now
-, g., e.. iu n,,tira1Hy
insufficient.
The employment of Mr.. J. r.
Finley by the state tax commission
to value the mines of New Mexico
resulting from the law enacted by
the recent legislature IS an event
of outstanding Importance. There
is no better equipped man than he
is anywhere for this task, and his
findings are bound to be accepted !
as q controlling basis for mines
valuations for some years. The |
law as finally passed Is far from |
clear, especially as to how the 1921
assessment is to be made, but that |
is n question than can be fairly |
settled. The fact remains that |
through the code provisions of
1921 we have arrived at real
method of adjusting q long stand
ing controversy which has for
years been the source of bitter
feeling and much inharmony. 1t
is going to require still further pa
tience and the cordial co-opera-
ton of all concerned to reach this |
adjustment, but it can be done. |
The taxable net production of pro-
ducing mines, as arrived at by the |
state tax commission for 1919, was
$15,G5S,000, and for 1920, based on
the three-year average, s16,S10,- |
900. This was exclusive of the |
value of the surface and improve
ments, which in each year was
some 100000 more. The cop
per mines of the state have been |
closed down entirely for about
year.
In conclusion I wish to say, per- !
sonally, that | am very apprecia- |
tive of the uniform courtesy that |
has been extended to me as presi- |
dent of this association for the
past six years, by the governors.
administrative officers, members
of the association, and the press.
There has been little that has been
unsatisfactory about the work, as |
I have felt at all times that it has
been useful. 1t has always been
and often entertaining.