Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1922-03-06
THE RATION RANGE CRITIcI5zs.

The Ration Range takes the Journal severely to
task for our criticisms Of Mr. Charles Springer. 1t
recites his services on the Council of Defense dur
ing the war; his efforts on the Highway Commits
ion; his building of irrigation projects; his raising
Of fine cattle and his development of coal mines.
Such record should protect him from criticism
in the opinion OF the Range.
Mr. Springer did render signal service during
the war SO did thousands of unthanked others.
He has done and is doing many things worthy OF
commentator. In several respects he is a highly
useful citizen. The Journal knows nothing of his
private character 1t is not disposed to criticize
Mr. Springer in his private relations
But Mr.. Springer must entirely revamp his ideas
Of his duty as a citizen to his state, if he is to
avoid neutrazing all the good which may be said
Of him. He entertains an entirely erroneous con-
ception of what constitutes proper conduct toward
his fellow citizens. AS he meets individuals
he is kindly, benevolenty and generously disposed
But when he looks upon the public as whole he
regards it as proper grist for his mill
Mr.. Springer is very shrewd business man. an
astute politician and adroit manipulation of men,
The possession Of such gifts imposes upon him the
duty of rendering more than ordinary services and
of showing than ordinary fidelity to the gen.
eral well being Possessing the ability to do more
for the people than most men, it should be his will
and pleasure that ability for the public good
AS long as the question involved does not affect
ciates he IS ready TO render impartial service to the
people. But the instant the special interests which
he represents have anything at stake Mr.. Springer
gets all he take.
This gentleman has extraordinary influence in
the legislature by reason of his unusual ability In
1915 he used that influence to procure the pas
sage of a mine tax bill which the very conservative
report Of Mr. Fndlay says exempted his coal con-
Germs from s1,5oO,OoO of assessments If the rate
Of taxation in his county is three per cent this
means that they escaped about $4,000 a year in
taxes II this occurred for six years it amounts to
$27O,000-a rather tidy sum, As a matter Of fact
this is rather under than over the amount which
his manipulations saved for his concerns other
citizens have been compelled to pay these taxes for
the money had to come from other sources.
we might show other instances of Mr.. sprnger's
wrong conception OF his public duties but our pur-
pose is not to prosecute any man. The Journai
merely seeks to arouse the public to realization
of what it allows such men to do to it and to
prompt these to think upon the question OF
public morals.
The power or skill to escape just such burdens
OF government does not justify in using it.
Common decency should lead them to do their full
share The finger Of public scorn should coerce
them when they their power wrongfully
The Journal has no feud with Mr.. Springer 1t
has quarrel with some of his practices and In
tends to make and keep such practices unpopular
is from sense of public duty. 1t would be more
agreeable to have Mr.. Springer's good will
The Range ridicules US for our constant harp
ing upon the ethics of citizenship. Some Of its re-
marks are unworthy of the usual high character
of that publication. But understand the influ-
ences which impeed the Range to take such
position That it felt so impeled is added proof
of the fact that public morals in New Mexico are
at low ebb and are in need of being prodded into
new life.
The average man has sufficient ability to sup
port his family and be respectable and respon-
sbe citizen In the last analysis most private fall
ures are moral failures. New Mexico has sufficient
ability to a state in just and capable fashion.
Its failures are moral failures. The moral sense of
the community is not acutely aroused to resent in
Justice over-reaching and DOWNRIGHT dishonesty
among public men. Until this sense is aroused and
efficiency, justice and integrity are demanded i'll
our public relations ills can not be cured.