Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1905-12-21
Beware Of Arizona MiniRQ
Stock" Says We||maR.
CORRESPONDENT DECLARES
MAGNATES OWN TERRITORY
Character!zes Statehood Opposition
as Most InsidiouS and DAN
gerous on Record.

Chicago, Dec. 2O,-Walter wellman
writing from Washington to the Rec
ordHerald, says;
Lobbies are thick in the corridors
of the big, white national statehouse
these days. There is the railroad lob
by, we'll and persistently maintained
But the most strenuous and danger
Gus, as well as the most picturesque
lobby of all is the mine owners lobby
from Arizona, here fighting statehood
for that territory. 1t Is picturesque
because of the bold-methods it en-
ploys, and because it has at least two
United States senator's among its own
ers and hackers. 1t is dangerous be-
cause of the possibility that grave
scandals may result from its opera
tions 1t Is lobby with hundreds OF
millions of dollars back of it. The
agahts and manfpulators of its
schemes are too smartSto offer out
right brlbes But they have mining
stock for sale-stock which is sure t.
earn big proft--stock that will pay
floor, And just now we are letting a
little of 1t out to our friends"
Senators and representatives who
value their good names should beware
sleekfellows who have Arizona mining
stock to sell. Take warning from the
fate of Senators Burton and Mitchell
and the Oregon congressman. Some
day there may be congressional in
Vestigation of Arizona mines and spec
ulations and stock sales Men who are
caught owning such securities will not
be comfortable.
Cause OF the Caucus.
1t was knowledge of the operations
of this mine owners lobby that led
the leaders of the house to call the
caucus on statehood which was held
Speaker Cannon and his lieutenants
wanted to line members up on the
question in order to defeat the machi-
nations of the lobby and also to pro-
tect members against the insidious in
fluences that might be brought to bear
upon them. 1t is not often that lot-
by is able to fill the minds of party
leaders with alarm for the safety OF
their flock. The Arizona operators
may take a little pride in this
achievement, even If they are not sue
cessful In preventing statehood. As
energetic and courageous members OF
the third house they have established
a record, and men who would engage
in such an enterprise are naturally OF
the sort who would take pride in even
that much of success.
Own the Territory.
1t seems rather strange that the
rich mine owners of Arizona should be
here fighting statehood, either single
or joint, but the reason for it is moi
far to seek. They own the territory
now. They run 1t, They are lords OF
the estate. Naturally they do not want
to run any risks by change to state
hood. These mining corporations
have had things their own way all
along the line, but In no particular SC
emphatlcally as In the asse ssed valua-
tion of their property upon which
they are called to pay taxes. For in.
stance, the Tombstone Consolidated
Mining company is corporation II
Arizona that has put out $4,000. zoo
worth of bonds, of which amount S..
100000 already have been sold. They
bear interest at the rate of per CEN
and this interest has been promptly
paid. This great property is assessed
at $4,000.
The United Verde.
Then there is the United Verde Cop
per company. mainly the property o
Senator Clark. OF Montana. 1t hai
been estimated that the copper mlnei
owned by this company have beer
yielding about $4,000. 900 annually
for some years. and that there II
$150.000. 900 worth of ore now II
sight. This almost lnexhaustlble min,
of wealth is assessed at $312.923 ant
the company's buildings and machin
cry are assessed at S5S2.5OO. the tota
assessment being about equivalent t
one months income from the prop
erty.
Don't Want Statehood.
These powerful corporations do no
want statehood. They can operat
more Independently and profitably un
der a territorial form of government
and they stand ready to devote BIZ
share Of their millions to the work o
preventing the passage of a bill givinI
Arizona either single statehood o
joint statehood with New Mexico
There are other members of the Unit
ed States senate who are interested il
these mining companies besides Sena
tor Clark. of Montana. The interest
of all OF them were acquired legiti
mately but there is fear that thei
present activity may lead to publ
scandal.
The influence OF this lobby Is bein
felt. Up to this time, as far as
known. it's operations have been with
I'm the lines OF proprlety. There hav
been rumors anoat, however. tina
members Of the house and scnat fna