Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1922-04-14
A BATTLE WON.

The simple announcement from Santa Fe day
or two ago that the state tax commission hau
abandoned the met output method OF nine APP
praisal for the lad valorem" method, marked the
end Of the Journals first big fight under It's present
management.
The mine owners, being in charge OF the finances
of the republican party and feeling entitled to take
for themselves ample remuneration for their cam
paign contributions had established for themselves
by law the met output method OF taxation Ihls
was a system of taking net income as the sole rae
tor in measuring values and paying the county TAX
rate upon that valuation.
The Journal believed this system to be wrong IN
principle and fraud other taxpayers and the
state in practice. We began tight which our
readers will well remember and which drew down
upon our heads the wrath of the mine owners ana
the polsicaI powers of the republican machine.
our fight during the legislative session of 1921
to force the adoption of the ad vaorem system was
accompanied by great bitterness and resentment
against u.s. The best were able to force out OF
the situation was a 'dog-fall" bill was passed
which authorized a continuation OF the net output
system but also authorized the employment of an
expert appraiser to arrive at an ad vaorem value
leaving the tax commission to decide which system
should be used after 1921. The present announce
ment settles the principle involved favoraoly to the
contention of the Journal
During all of this controversy the Journal was
a radical and destroyer of business" They IN
sisted that anyone with any sense should know
that an ad valorem system in taxing mines would
not work. Now they meekly accept the new method
without serious protest.
The victory for the people in bringing these
naughty dictators who had for years written Their
own laws to their knees cannot be overesimated
They met their Waterloo The people have found
that It is not necessary submit to their control
From now on the people will fight with more cour-
age equality in taxation and the return OF power
in the state to those to whom it belongs.
Had it not been for insstence that the aver
age net output for five years last past be used n
determining the net output assessment in 1871 the
state would have received virtually nothing in tha
year. as no copper mines were operating.
Although mine values are the lowest in the his
tory of the business owing to the financial depres
sion the commission announces that the use OF
the ad valorem system increases the assessed val
uaton of mines in the state about $I50o'OVO over
the five year average under the output system il
increases It some $12, 100000 over what 1t woulc
have been under the 1916 law which was in force
when the new law was adopted. Had 1t not beer
for the financial depression this change Of system
would have increased valuations in excess OF $5o'
ooO, 900. This will come with the restoration O.
prosperity.
From now on it is a simple problem OF JUS
assessment. Further fighting may be necessary t'
assessments d
The Journal accepts just basis for the presen
the assessments of the tax commission.
During all of this controversy the state tax com
mission has shown disposition to be fair. Pres
sure from the outside has been tremendous and W.
commend the fortitude of these men.
The Journal would be unjust TO lay claim u
credit for more than the publicity part in this fight
The Special Revenue Commission and the Tax Pay
ers' association procured the evidence and exper
advice which made success possible. To Ex-Gov
ernor H. ]. Hagerman is the state especially In
debted. The time and ability given by him in thi
matter is beyond measure His courage, persist
ence and patience knew no limits. The people ow
permanent debt Of gratitude to this man. GOV
ernor Hagerman and the Journal very often disa
agree but he is actuated always by the highest mo
tiyes of personal service.
This victory proves the value of the Taxpayers
Association. 1t should receive general public sup
port