Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-02-01
THE STATEHOOD BILL
RAILROAD AND MINING INFLu-
ENcEs FACTORS IN THE FIGHT.
Two-Thirds Ia Majority Expected for
oklahomaeand Indian Territory
May Leave Arizona Out.

There are evidences at the Capitol of
railroad and mining influences as factors
in the fight over the statehood bill.
+ The unquestioned majority that is
counted for the admission of state to
be made up of Oklahoma and the Indian
territory has to a large extent eliminated
that feature of the bill as matter Of
great interest. 1t is confidently believed
by the leaders in this fight that there will
De two-thirds majority for the admis-
sion OF the state to be made of Oklahoma
and the Indian territory and that that
majority may be increased rather than
decreased next Tuesday when the bill Is
actually voted upon
In thlS view of the situation interest is
being concentrated on the probable action
OF the senate in relation to New Mexico
ana Arizona. The Senate leaders also be-
neve that there will be a majority next
TUESDAY TO favor the admittance of these
TWO territories as single state. Develop
ments from day to day, 1t is said, show that
tne support OF this project is increasing in
strength, but there are still matters of suf-
hc1ent doubt to give rise to a difference Of
opinion as to what the actual outcome will
be.
To Leave Out Arizona.
One of the important developments. the
strength of which cannot yet be seen, is
what is understood to be a very consider
able effort made on the part Of railroad in
terests and mining interests in New Mexico
and Arizona favoring the admission Of New
Mexico as state, leaving out Arizona for
future GO. consideration OF course. such
proposition Is similar in purpose to that
Whlch mas been made for the admission OF
Two States one from each of these terri
torres. Mining interests that have been
nearu from assert that to admit Arizona as
q state would result in an increase of taxa
tlon there without equivalent advantages.
Whlie this suggestion is put forth as a rea-
son why Arizona should not come into state
mood at this time, it has impressed senators
as a very strange view of the situation. as
II mas been understood all along that state
hood would vastly strengthen all such in
tereStS mining
Railroad interests also are being noticed
about the Senate In favor of the admission
OF New Mexico at this time, with Arizona
to be dealt with later. A peculiar reason
was stated On one occasion for this atti-
tude Of the railroads to the effect that these
corporations would be. able to control the
labor situation better with two states made
of Arizona and New Mexico than they
would If those territories were Joined in a
single state. =
Senator Patterson's proposition for COM
bining the efforts of the democrats in favor
of the admission Of New Mexico, leaving
Arizona to be dealt with LATER is one that
ocrats. although 1t has not every democrat
ic senator in It's favor. Senator Bailey is
understood still to be endeavoring to get
Senator Foraker and those who support
his plan for separate vote by Arizona and
New Mexico on the question Of their adj
mission one or two states to drop that
amendment and join their forces in favor
Of letting in New Mexico alone at this time.
The Next Senate.
Whatever is done in this Congress it seems
quite certain that the next Senate will be
far more favorable to the committee pro-
gram of making two states of these four
territories than is the present Senate. OF
the thirteen senators who are coming in It
is understood that they are looked upon as
very much, more likely to support this
proposition exactly in the form In which it
is being urged. by Senate leaders today than
are the thirteen senators whose places they
take. There are among senators whose
terms expire on March several republicans
who are not regarded as sure for the COM
mtttee proposition, but in number of these
cases their successors are looked upon as
being such regular republicans that they
will be found in harmony with the ma
jority.