Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1906-01-12
And Nc. BuPsum Might Accept
Liberal Merger Bill.
NEITHER CARES HOWEVER
TO GO INTO ANY DETAILS
First Expression Of Views Of National
Committeeman Will Be Received
With Interest by Public. y

" Solomon Luna, of Los Lunas. mem-
ber of the national republican COM
mittee, whose opinions on the state
hood proposition have been long
shrouded in impenetrable mystery
has given the first intimation to the
public as to his real views
Mr.. Luna told a reporter for the
Morning Journal last night at the AL
varado that he is willing to accept
joint statehood IL single statehood is
impossible
This statement from Mr.. Luna will
be received with much interest by the
public as the first authoritative ex-
preston of his views on the much
mooted question of the admission into
the union of New Mexico as a joint
state with Arizona. Mr. Luna after
saying so much declined to go into fur
ther details saying that he didn't want
to do much talking for publication
along this line at present
The Morning Journal reporter
couldn't believe his ears, but having
heard so much was prepared to hear
further revelations. But the conVer-
/ sation was cut short by the entrance
into the hotel lobby of several gentle-
men who wanted to see Mr. Luna on
important matters.
"Of course l am for statehood for
! New Mexico" said Mr.. Luna, "unqual-
| ihedly I'm favor of statehood. I would
rather have it I'm single form, but IL
we cannot get that, and IL we can get
q jointure bill with liberal provisions.
/ then | am for Il. But | don't care to
1 say ANYTHING at this time"
Mr. Luna's statement has especial
significance Ia view Of the fact that he
/ Is IN closer touch with territorial and
national politics than almost any 9TH
or man In New Mexico. Ha~ycentiy
( returned from Washington. where ne
had several important conferences
with the president in company with
Chairman Bursum Of the territoriat
committee and others. Mr.. Luna de-
nies with Mr.. Bursum the charge that
| any deal was made between the COM
mttee and the president for the sup
port of joint statehood In exchange
/ for territorial appointments.
Mr.. Luna has just returned from a
/ visit to his sheep ranches near Mag
| dalena. He says that while the sheen
are suffering somewhat from the cold
and snow. yet none OF his focks have
suffered from exposure, he expects
that a thaw will occur and that the
sheep will get through the winter
| without a Loss.
Il hear that the sheep In the Es-
| tancla valley are not faring so WE'LL"
said Mr.. Luna, "and that many of
| them are dying. The snow there IL
very deep and will affect the sheep
men quite seriously"
Mr.. Bursum Almost Tells.
Hon. II. O. Bursum, chairman of
the territorial republican central COM
mittee, was at the Alvarado last
night talking over things with Mr..
Luna and others. Just for curiosity.
not that he expected results. the
Morning journal reporter tackled Mr..
Bursum regarding the statehood ques-
ton, trusting that Mr. Bursum was
conversant with the subject.
My present position on Joint state
hood?' said MIR. Bursum In reply to
polite inquiry. II don't know that
care to commit myself positively on
that subject just at present"
"Er-Mr. Bursum. II there were abb
solutely no show for single state
hood and you knew 1t, would you ia
vor joint statehood"
! We'll, II | were positive there was
no chance Of getting IN alone, would
consider joint statehood" said Mr.
Bursum thoughtfully. "If the bill
was good one. And to tell the
| truth"
The interlocutor leaned forward
and pricked up his ears. But there
was nothing more TO hear II ls
thought that Mr.. Bursum almost said
something but something stopped II
and he would say no more. But II IL
quite evident from the manner of
both Mr.. Bursum and Mr.. Luna that
they VIII be found snugly seated in
the jointure band wagon when the
bell rings.