Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1909-11-29
PRESIDENT IS IN
EARNEST ABOUT
STATEHOOD
LOOK BRIGHT IN
WASHINGTON, SAYS LUNA
National Committeeman 0p-
timiStic Over Prospects for
Passage of Enabling Act
at Coming Session.

That President TAFT is interested
ing the admission of New Mexico To
statehood at the coming session OF
congress, and that much of the luke
warmness prevalent in various quar-
ters of the east concerning the terri
tory's claims. is giving away to a de-
sire to see justice done to New Mexico.
we're the reassuring statements made
to a Morning Journal representative
last evening by National Committee
man Solomon Luna. who returned yes
terday noon from Washington, where
he has been for the past two weeks
on matters incident to the appointment
of a successor to Governor Curry.
II AVE been going to Washington
in the interest of statehood and other
territorial matters for the past six
teen years. said Mr.. Luna. 'and I
can say that never before have / found
such a favorable sentiment among the
party leaders toward the passage of
an enabling act for New Mexico.
my trip to Washington was pri-
marily on business connected with the
selection of n man TO succeed Gov
ernor Curry as chief executive of the
territory" continued Mr.. Luna, "and
/ had -four conferences with the presi-
dent. At a C conference Mr.. Taft
preached the statehood question him
self and assured me that he vas heart
and soul In sympathy with New Mex
leo in her fight for admission and
would do all in his power to help us
along.
Mr.. Taft seemed so confident that
New Mexico will be made a state at
the coming session that the statehood
question entered largely into his plans
in the selection of a governor. He
to me during our first confer
that he desired to appoint a
to the office, as 1t would be
for the new governor to
the lead in the matter Of con |
structing a constitution for the state
Of New Mexico during the next eight
or nine months"
Mr.. Luna said that the name Of
Jaffa, secretary of the terri |
tory, was carefully considered as a sue
lessor to Governor Curry both by the |
president and Mr.. Ballinger, secretary |
IF the interior. who was present at
he several conferences ut which the
was discussed.
THE president was much impressed
the recommendations made in
Of Mr.. Jaffa,,' said Mr.. Luna. !
decided that il would be better
It this time TO have the new governor
mar learned in the law. and hat he
be IA New Mexico man. The
of chief Justice Mills was
greed upon ana his appointment fol-
owed"
The vacancy caused on the bench
9 the result of the appointment OF
Judge Mills to be governor, and the
ubsequent appointment of Judge VIII
lam H.. Pope to be chief justice, has
.ot yet been filled.
MIR. Tart desired to make q per-
onal appointment to fin the vacancy
n the beach said Mr.. Luna. 'and
o candidates for the position We're
commended 10y me"
MIR. Luna stated during a general
iscussion of statehood matters that
enator Borah OF Idaho would be one
f New MeXico's chief champions and
he would lead the fight ON the
Ioor for the passage of the bill. Mr..
contemplated visiting New Mex
% during the fall to secure data re-
its population and resources.
-rgent business detained him in the
asst. however, and he will secure the
formation from Mr.. Ballinger, sec
atarV of the interior.