Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1901-10-24
A RAILROAD TO BE
BUILT FROM COLMOR
A Project Which When Completed Will Do
Wonders for the Development of Nor
thern New Mexico.
TIMBER LANDS AND MINERAL
WEALTH TO Be EXPLOITED


attorney of Los Angeles, Calf, who
has been visiting in Santa Fe fire.
quently lately, is interested in a pro-
ject to build a railroad southwest
from Colmor, a station on the Colfax-
Mora county line on the Santa Fe sys-
tenn as well as in extensive timber
land propositions. Mr.. Burke saw fit
to deny the truth of the item both in
the New Mexic..s and in the Albu-
querque newspapers. Now, however,
he acknowledges in an interview in an
Albuquerque paper, claimed to be
authorized, that there is consid-
cradle truth in the report. He arrived
last evening from Albuquerque and is
a guest on the special car occupied
by Congressman j. S. Sherman and L.
w. Emerson of New York, and others
and which arrived last evening. These
visitors are all financially interested in
the project which is nothing less than
the building of 125 miles of railroad
southwest from Colmor to exploit
about 100000 acres of timber land in
Mora and adjoining counties. Most of
the timber is on private land grants
tiating the past two years. There will
also be a development of the mining
resources of that section of the terri
tory, building of reservoirs and the
founding of towns and settlements in
connection with this enterprise. Today
ha icit oil
with w. H. Farr, Milwaukee timber
expert, E. l.. Philips, representing the
Schlitz brewery interest, Joseph Farr,
Henry Casson, sergeant-at-arms of
the national house of representatives,
H. B. Arney and D. Main are in con-
sultation on their private car and will
start tomorrow on an inspection trip
of the vast interests they have ac-
quired.
Several of these capitalists are also
interested in the construction of rail-
road from Needles, Calf, a Santa Fe
station, to a point in Utah. This, to-
gether with a project only lately
broached by the Santa Fe railroad
company to build from Gallup north
east to the Chaco Mesa may mean
considerable to the railroad situation
in New Mexico and suggests a cutoff
from Colmor to Gallup or even to a
point in Utah, were 1T not for the i'm
mense mountains masses which would
have to be penetrated by such a rail-
road.
A SWEEPING DENIAL.
Mr.. Burke, this afternoon, when
asked by New Mexican representa-
tive in regard to the above statement,
declared: IT'S pipe dream; 1 never
gave out such a story like that and
did not meet an Albuquerque reporter.
If there is any definite statement to
make I will make it at the proper
time. Any premature talk will merely
give the knockers a chance"
Mr.. Sherman refused to speak on the
subject of the aforementioned pro-
ject, saying that whatever Mr.. Burke
said about it received his endorse
ment He spoke very pleasantly how
ever for half an hour or more on the
progress that New Mexico has made
since eight years ago when he last
visited the territory.
The progress made by the terri
tory in that time seemed to him won
derful, especially along the railroad
lines. Eight years ago he saw no al
falfa fields, very few substantial build
ings and today there is progress visi-
BILE on every side, people seem pros
porous and buildings substantial. Mr..
Sherman is very conservative on the
question of statehood for New Mexico.
He believes in making haste slowly in
this matter, but declares that If New
Mexico can show that 1t will keep up
its present progress and will not re-
trogade as Nevada has done and can
support a larger population than
has at present, he would be in favor of
statehood.
He believes that in Irrigation lies the
future of New Mexico. He said that
congress will, or at least should, de-
vote part of the appropriations Of the
river and harbor bill to conservative
irrigation enterprises, as irrigation
improvements would be more benefit
to a larger number of people and the
improvements would be more perma-
nent than many of the river and har-
Dor improvements. He referred to the
fact that while Colorado was the lead
ing mining state, yet it's agricultural
products exceed those of its mines and
that agriculture is the making and
the backbone Of permanent prosperi-
ty. The speaker also praised New
Mexico's wonderful climate and SEEM
ed greatly interested in the resources
of the various sections of the territory.
Mr.. Sherman spoke very highly Of
Governor Otero, praising him as
cultured, progressive gentleman whose
main object Is the furtherance of the
interests of New Mexico. He was sur
prised that New Mexico built 30 beau
tiful capitol for $130,000 when New
York spent $2S, 100000 for capitol that
is falling together in parts. His visit
to the United States Indian school
this forenoon pleased him greatly. He
declared that the school and it's $40
children are strikingly neat and clean.
He believes that the Indian problem
will soon be settled by making every
Indian self-supporting SO that govern
ment aid can be withdrawn.
Mr.. Sherman is an affable gentle-
man, whose progressive views and
kindly feeling for New Mexico will
make him many friends In the terri
tory should he come oftener to look
after the vast enterprises which he
and his companions are credited with
having In view.