The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1922-01-15
SMALL number of demagogues and a somewhat

~ tisan and other enthusiasts have been engaged
for some time past in describing governmental,
economic and political conditions in New Mexico as de
oadent, dichonest and rotten. Inspired by a variety of
wholly selfish motives this propaganda has persisted until
a very large number Of people throughout the United
States have come to believe the reiterated charge that
New Mexico is a rotten borough"
That this campaign of dotractiOn, conducted from
within our borders, has hurt New Mexico there can be
no doubt, Evidences of the damage are abundant. 1t
cannot be demonstrated that this destructive propaganda
has accomplished the slightest good within the state, or
affected any governmental, economic or political condi-
ton, except to make IL worse.
During a number of recent political campaigns Arr
zona has been held up to New Mexico citizens as a shin
ing example of taxation justice and wisdom. Recently
the business interests of Arizona met in an industrial
conference at Phoenix. The principal topic was the
"ruinous state and county tax rate.
IAN state and county taxes, one speaker said,
have risen to an incredible height and such taxes, if
continued for a Few more years at the anne rate of in
crease, will spell nothing less than complete confiscation
within two decades =" The speaker added that county
tax rates have risen from so per cent in some counties
TO 900 per cent in others and that the average for the
entire state is a 600 per cent increase - The curious fact
about this speakers statement was that he used the New
Mexico tax rate as an example of moderation in con-
trast with that Of Arizona.
Compared with the statements Of This aud other
speakers AT LDb AflIOli Conference tnu Win III tdpieS
and bulletins Of the Arizona Taxpayers association, the
charts of the Taxpayer Association of New Mexico be-
come much less formidable in the percentages of increase
shown during the decade since statehood.
II is only fair to the New Mexico Taxpayers associa-
ton TO say that it. has not contrasted New Mexico tax
rates with those of other states, to the disadvantage Of
this state. But others, with less regard for statistics and
less respect for the truth have not hesitated 10 use facts
compiled by the association in an effort to prove that
New Mexico is the most overwhelmed state in the union,
in the matter of taxes, and the worst governed.
1t was announced in Chicago last week that the local
tax rate for 1922 would show an increase of "a TO 81 per
cent. The fact was contrasted with statistics as to de
creased living costs and other facts tending to give the
public an accurate understanding Of conditions, some OF
which, it was shown, needed correction. The increase
was not used to prove that Chicago is a dangerous place
for capital or industry, or that it was otherwise unfit
to live in. Yet a smaller increase in local taxes in this
state has been used for not one but repeated soreeds
which, in effect, were warnings to people in other states
TO beware of New Mexico.
Our tax burden is heavy enough. Our taxation sys-
tenn and its administration are sufficiently defective. The
burden should be ightened and the system should be cor
reoted in many important features.