Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1922-06-21

of all laws governing bond issues
with special provisions for serial
payments, and as to the length Of
time for which bonds should run.
In the meantime, we repeat our
suggestion that the matter of vot-
ing for bonds should be thoroughly
discussed and carefully considered
before the holding of any election
for the purpose.
When all is said that can be said
upon the subject of public reve-
nues and expenditures, govern
mental costs, etc, the fact remains
that efficient economical admins
tration depends upon competent
and industrious officials, imbuea
with the idea of serving the public
interests. The election or appoint
ment of such officials is a final and
adequate demonstration of the sue.
cess of popular government. AS
representative of the taxpayers of
the state, we urge upon all parties
in their primaries and conventions
this year to consent to the nomina- =
ton only of persons committed to
the principle of the maximum Of
service at the minimum of cost
with due consideration Of the tax
paying ability of those who oWn
property in the state.
Problem Summarized.
Tho question of taxation, public
expenditures and retrenchment, rs
they relate to New Mexico, have
been dealt with from almost every
possible angle by the Taxpayers
association and the special revenue
commission, during the past seven
years, and many constructive sug~
gestions have been proposed to the
legislators and the people through
these agencies. Some of these sug-
gestions have been adopted. After
all is said the present problem, in
our opinion, may be summarized IN
three specific queries:
1. Is there q real desire on the
part of the people as a whole Tor
lower public expenditures, and less
taxes?
2. Is It true that present taxes
are in general much higher than
the persons and property charged
with them can bear, and that unless
there is either great increase in
wealth, or great decrease
in the tax burden economic disaS-
ter must inevitably result?
AS the last query must be an
sEered in the affirmative, then we
ask:
8. Are the voters willing to sub
merge actional prejudices. local IN
terests, and party traditions, sufti-
ciently to bring about such changes
in our laws and administrations as
are necessary to save the situation
If it be true that the premises
upon which the association mas
based its activities are false, II /.
De true that taxes are reasonable,
hat the present burden of taxation
S not only fair and bearable but
hat constantly increasing taxes car
md will be met by the few thou
sand taxpayers who furnish pubic
,unds in this state-if this is actual
Y the opinion of a majority of the
Ioters in New Mexico, then the as"
ISOLATION may we'll discontinue its
activities with its final advice to
taxpayers, large and small, that
heir only remedy against prohibit
We taxation lies in the system or
,arter and trade. favoritism, eva
,iou. and intimidation; and In n
rank and candid resumption of the |
Methods which were generally |
in this community for
many years. 1t may be said that |
uch a statement is altogether too |
general and sweeping, that the sit
lation cannot be narrowed down to |
10 specific proposition, but we
ubmit in all earnestness that the |
ime has come when the people OF
tew Mexico must choose between |
wo courses:
/. Reduce taxes by reducing |
public expenditures, or
2. Continue the present program |
With the certainty that 1t must re-
ult in economic disaster to large |
lumber Of our taxpaying and nom
citizens.
In partial response to this II may |
,e said by some that of the tax
burden were properly distributed.
{ all property were on the rolls, |
md If all taxes levied were collect
d the situation would adjust itself. |
t has been said that the associa-
ion should direct its efforts in
way to the accom-
,lishment of these results. But we
ubmit that for years the associa-
ion, directly and indirectly. and in
he face OF the greatest difficulties
las been earnestly laborlng for
hese very things, and it can be
asserted that through /
is efforts supported by many sin-l