Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1907-11-04
MR.. HAWKINS WRITES
OPEN LETTER ON
IIMbERLANDS
SAYS GOVERNMENT HAS
ALREADY HAD FACTS
Attorney for Phelps Dodge In
terestS and the Sacramento
Lumber Company Sends a
Statement to Newspapers,

In addition to the recent interview
given to the El Paso Times, in con-
nection with the Indictment by the
United States grand jury al Santa Re
of men connected with the Phelps
Dodge interests in New Mexico. Hon.
W. A. Hawkins, attorney for Phelps,
Dodge a Co. in New Mexico, has given
the following signed statement to the
El Paso Times, in connection with the
suit filed by the government for the
recovery of certain timber lands Pur-
chased from. the territory n now
owned by the A~lamogordo Lumber
company.
Editor Times.
"ln my absence from HI Paso I'm at
tendance upon court in Santa Fe a bill
of complaint was filed at A~lamogordo
against the AlaQogordo Lumber COM
pany by United States attorney gen
erals assistants, who are now seeking
to carry out the sensational policies
which have been instituted against
everyone they for any cause, cared 10
indict. for any infringement Of the
United States laws, either material or
technical, and who. under their COM
mission, assume il their duty TO bring
suits against all parties who have ac-
quired lands from the territory OF New
Mexico, under territorial acts. I I'M
derstand a widespread publicity was
given I'm tho press to the character Of
the suit against the AlamoEordo Lum-
Der company. and the fraud was al
legged on the PAN Of such company,
and on the part Of myself as an agent
of hat company.
II understand also that in am edi-
torial you fairly stated that only one
side had been heard from. and that
until the other side was heard from
there was no presumption to be in
dulged in with reference to these
charges. | thank you for the latter
statement and beg leave 10 assure you
on behalf Of the Alamogordo Lumber.
company that there was not The
slightest fraud connected with the
transaction, but on the other hand II
was entirely above board, that the
lands were sold at full value thereof,
BY the TERRITORY, and c-onveyances
made 10 individuals in 100 acre tracts
each. who publicly. by powers of at
torney by them placed on record seven
Years ago the time the sales were
made, recited that they in purchasing
same Intended to convey them 10 the
AlamOgordo Lumber company.
The United states has had fun
knowledge OF this transaction for an
that length of time. The TERRITORY Of
New Mexico was glad 20 sell the lands
and get the money paid for the same
10 was not necessary for the purchas-
ers To live upon these lands. as the
laws under which they were disposed
Of were in no way similar to the
homestead or other settlement LAWS Of
the United States. They were sold by
the territory just as any other owner
of real estate in El Paso sells his land.
the only difference being that the ter
ritory was prohibited by its laws
and those Of the United states from
selling more than 100 acres 10 any
one person. There is absolutely moth
ing In the law as TO how the purchaser
shall dispose of his 100 acres.
IF the purchasers were willing to
exercise their right TO convey the legal
title to the Alamogordo Lumber com
pany for "a consideration or without
one. IL was IN no way a violation Of
the inw.
IF ! am wrong. my opinion at least
concurs with hat Of the legal pro-
fession in New Mexico gohorally.
Respectfully,
CIV. a. HAWKINS