El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1916-05-19

! kind of a pledge did not satisfy. and
! did not receive the support either of the
| corporations or of their employees And
/ then he added. IF 1 could not be free
| TO do what I thought was right. then
! would not want to be governor Tie
was a member of the committee on cor
porations in the constitutional cOnven-
| ton. and il is said that his efforts were
not altogether satisfactory to the cor
poratiOns
Opinions Widely Differ.
II is singular now much opinions may
vary Many Of the best informed work
ers i'm the Republican ranks say with
out hesitation that Bursum is by no
means acceptable to the socalled "iu-
! terests." Several who have made this
statement have worked with him i'm
Legislative planning a great many
of Bursums friendliest critics declare
that otherwise they believe in him.
and would be glad to support him. but
that they are afraid of his affiliations.
that he is too close to the Interests.
Two views could not be more widely, at
variance i'm one campaign.
Popularity Increased.
Students Of the situation say that
Bursum has increased greatly in popu-
lsrity since the election Of 1911. Friends
say that the public is coming to n bet
ter understanding Of the man, and his
serious, honest work on behalf OF the
people. Those on the other side OF the
political fence. and who will oppose his
selection. concede that certainly he has
not lost anything Of strength or follow
ing since 1911.
4 remarkable personal campaign was
Waged against him I'M 1911. 7 have
talked with 2 number of voters who
said that in 1911 they believed the rep
reservations that Bursum was "a cheap
crook and constitutional CRATER. but
viii now support him because. they say,
al hrr Ha nrrr nad Ia hoe r.u.f
OF a complete vindication.
Draining Rio Grande valley.
While agreeing that the drainage OF
the Rio Graude valley is a matter which
very properly might he provided for By
the federal government. Mr. Bursum
said he was aware that enlisting the aid
or congress would be a long and diff
cult task. and that in the meantime.
the state ought 10 be appealed to-. He
has been watching the iuroads Of the
river for some 30 years. and would be
glad to render all the assistance that
may lie III his power He declared that
IN the district between White Rock and
san Marcial. it ought to be possible
through drainage. to reclaim and put
into high state OF cultivation. an
proXimately 200, 900 acres Of fertile
land He favOrs having the state ar
range TO levy and collect the taxes
necessary to do the needed Improvement
work
"DO II with Bonds.~
The project could be bonded. and
the owners Of the land could at
ford to pay for the work. whether the
cost be 100000 or S5.O0O.00O He ex-
pressed the belief that by building a di-
version dam in White Rock canyon and
another below La Joya. and straighten-
ing the channel of the river. much re-
lief from present conditions might be
ohtained and that considerable amount
Of the work might be done at a cost
of about 100000
Bursum came to Albuquerque for the
special purpose Of attending the meet
ing to discuss the drainage question.
Arriving at $50 p. M. there was no dele
cation at the train 10 meet him There
never IS any delegation to meet him.
lie works and travels without ostenta-
lon or blare OF trumpets. though his
soworkers say that he is not of the
gum shoe. type. He simply works
Iuietly, patiently.