The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1921-12-20

SANTA FE, pee. gO.-The livestock
interests are handicapped by New
Mexico's high tax rates. Governor
Mechcm declared before the county
assessors conference late yesterday
afternoon.
"The cattle men n the sheep men
OF this state lave to compete with
those OF Arizona" he said. land we're
putting ours at a disadvantage by high
tax rates"
The tax rates. he said. should be
limited to what THE traffic will bear
and not what WI think we ought TO
spend"
This idea tina, the tax commission
should go about the state and pro-
duce what the Legislature thinks II
ought TO spend Is all wrong he
stated aud drew applause.
Educutiona COST High
The governor then turned TO edu-
caiionai costs and after rsmarking II
wasn't popular to attack these. stated
he saw no reason why they should
not he SUBJECTED to the closest scru-
tiny" More applause. He believed
some curtRilmcnt could be brought
about. Five or 10 on the dol
lar oven would be welcomed. he said.
The state. he explained. had no te-
sire to escape the responsibility OF
education. but nc added. I'VE should
not be deferred from doing our duty
in this regard"
The governor also declared high
tax rates make tax dodgers OF us
all"
Necessarily 90 he added "Busl-
ness men cant afford 10 pay from
8 to s per con on h actual value
OF their HOLDINGS and expect to make
nnnuPN They fWnff Hn ~
The New Mexico Cattle 4 Horse
Growers association and the New
Mexico Wool Growers association.
who want the assessors to adopt
standard schedules OF livestock and
grazing land values FOR all counties
to eliminate discrimination. then be-
gan the presentation of their case.
This was lone by calling witnesses
who were put under oath. Laurence
+. Lee, Albuquerque, attorney, ca
amined them,
None Making Anything.
Frank Bond. Espanola. the first
called. siatcd ne didn't know OF any
livestock man H. tho state who had
earned expenses In tho last three
years. lie vniucd common sheep.
over one year bid. at 81 ana under
n year old at s..
Twenty-Five uSsessors were present
In addition 10 other county officials.
representatives 80 the two big live
stock associations. the TaN Payers.
association. III Santa Ifc railway ana
state officials.
Are we not on the point Of killing
the goose that lays golden eggs
asked Rupert D. Asplund. director of
the TaN Payers association. after call
ing attention to the rise made hy
governmental costs in the last 40
years, He proceeded the governor
Governmental costs In the 10 years.
he said, far Outsirippcd ability To pay.
lie Included ytHtc. city and county
costs and showed the Increased g1l
per cent, taxes g3i per cent. property
valuation 10 Toi cent, ana popula
ton 10 pcr c-n The last Two figures
he held indicated ability TO pay.
Hu charged school and highway
expenditures were responsible FOR IN,
greater part OF the Increase IN ia,
costs He estimated educational ~
p%cnditurcs mad, up 90 per cent nj
the total Tor 1890 and highway eN'
pcnditurcs 20 per cent.
Explains New Law.
Assistant Attorney General \ NJ
Edwards explained the revenue code
PASSED by tho nnh Legislature anc
gave tho following directions TO thu
assessors to make II effective:
Personally inter view every rcsidcn.
tax payer In your county.
Personally administer "a formH
oath or affirmation to a list Of hil
property furnished by the tax payer
Personally Inspect every Item q
property In your county.
Diligently search Tor unlisted prop
crtN.
Uniformly assess at lis fun vdlu,
all taxable property in your county.