The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1922-03-09
PROGRESS IN REFORM

A CITING under authority of our improved
u and reformed tax laws we understand that
the State Tax commission is sitting or
about 10 sit today in solemn session at Clovis.
In the imperial democratic county Of Curry, 10
probe charges Of inequalities in tax assessments
there. II is to be- hoped that the commission
will be- able to improve conditions ms regards
The public revenue 10 a greater extent, at least
than II appears to have done in fixing the as
,cSsuent Of mining properties last year.
After expending some 10000 of public
money for AN appraisal Of mining properties,
in response to AN alleged popular demand for
such appraisal as a method of taxing mines. the
commission found that physical valuation pro-
duccd slightly less than the other elective
system Of an output tax, except in the ease of
one mine which went up in value a tritc more
than a million. Il was then discovered that the
appraisal method was not popular, and the
news reports Indicate that the commission is
responsive 10 popular sentiment.
Over in Curry county. reports indicate that
the Santa Fe's attitude in refusing 10 pay one
half It's tHXes upon It's allegation that farm
lands are only assessed A. half-vaiue, is not very
popular. II the Santa Fe does not pay these
taxes il is reported by the educational auditor
that the schools in Curry county will close
April !. If il proves a good season the chill
'f'A "Ah w N'ANA w AhAh WIN Ah'lF ~
cumpensations, of course.
According to The Hcrald'S Santa Fc cor
respondent the Santa Fee railroad has Indicated
q willingness 20 pay the other half OF lis Curry
county taxes "if 1t is given assurances that
readjustments will be made in the 1929 assess
ments' of other property over there.
This is mighty generous ON the part Of the
Santa Re railroad. II indicates a spirit OF
bcncvOlence not ordinarily believed TO flutter
IN the corporate breast.
But who J., going to give il this assurance,
80 it can pay those taxes, the law, or the tax
commission!
How are taxes assessed and collected in this
state, by law or by assurances? Some Of us
have become So confused in the rushing pro.
gress Of tax reform that We are not clear
And what will happen if the tax commission
gives the assurances and doubles the taxes Of
all those Curry county farmersf
There will, Of course, be a lot of new revenue
that hadn't been figured on.
Maybe they viii run the schools Ell summer
1r If the children object, a new federal aid road
project can be- tvolved. Because taxes. when
assessed. are collected. Under the present re-
formed law, Il is runiored. the sheriff even
comes around and indicates drastic doiigs un-
les, the taxpayer kicks in. OF course the
sheriff cannot call on the Santa Fc railroad
very WI He might get run over by the cars.
But taxes, in the main, are collected when
assessed. And when tax money reaches the
public treasury lit is spent.
So as a raiser Of new and enlarged revenues
10 he spent it looks rs if tax reform, rs far as
We have gone, is going to be a success. even
though the appraisal of mines has not been a
heavy producer.
But who is going to pay these new and en-.
larged revenuesi
Can II be- that the small taxpayers, in whose
interest it was alleged that all this efficient
reform was conducted, are going to be stuck
for the raisc9
II so-let her rip. We can never rescue New
Mexico from the grip of the sinister interests
that have so bitterly oppressed her people until
the public conscience is aroused and a militant
public sentiment steps out to do battle for the
right.
And, believe us, the one sure way to arouse
The public conscience and make il step out, a.
aforesaid. is to raise lis taxes.
The State Tax commission, one guesses, will
have a pleasant day in Curry county.