The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1919-03-15

Education, Reclamation and Road Construction Bills Constitute
An Excellent Record of Constructive Work by the Legislature

~ " TOO early 10 nndrrtnkc any cnmnrchcnsive
review OF tAf work Of the NtN Mexico leeisia.
fafr which eioecd al MON to-day. but thc results
accomplished IN three lines Of constructive legssln.
4'a are sufficient 70 establish an excellent resorl
fpr the session.
The LEGISLATURE has adopted two mcasnrcs
Which remove many IT the obstacles ia the wa, dl
definite and immediate advancement IN the state :
t+inesiicnal worn. One of these, Housc Bill 60. was
fffirwed IN these rulumns Yesterday. II provides
adequate pay for cumpcicnt tcarhrrs and removes
ne mwisc limitufion upon school growth. The
u'her bill advances the compulsory school ace 10 10
ycafs. These with nine months % school work in
Every district In the state, mean that we are going
ahend IN our educational efforts and that two years
num now the r'n'c will perhaps be ready for an.
other great forward step in educational manage.
ineni-by the removal Of che principal eduraiional
e%xeeuiive oficers Of the state from the field of parii.
san politics.
The bill for soldier settlement, reclamation and
Development work--in cooperation with the fed.
srai government, which passed the Legislative bar.
ricrs yesterday, cmbodies the bulk Of Legislative
provision for which the Herald has been contcndine
vince the opening Of the session. We would have
htct 70 see the administrative board composed Of
othfe than state officers. not through any affection
70 ne state chiccrs entrusted with the work or
any qlestiop Of thrh ability. bn, solely because all
three are already oyer-burdencd with routine off
c'nt duties winch may prevent their giving 10 tho
rcciarpation work the constant attention that il will
eventually require. The bin, however. embodies the
best provisions Of the uniform aet for cooperation
between the states aud the federal government.
snreested by the department of the interior. Il
means TINT this state is now equipped with the
machinery and the necessary law for complete aud
shcccssful cooperation with whatever program OF
soldier settlement and development the federal gov.
ernmrot may finally adopt. Il means that we have
placed ourselves IN a position 10 do our duty by
our soldiers and also to do our duty by our state
IA advancing It's development, the Drainage and
irrigation of it, lands. aud 10 take advantage
Of every BIZ Of federal AID TO that end that may
become available.
There are many thoughtful men who do not Re.
hese that New Mexico can afford 10 participate To
the full extent IN the federal aid road building
campaign. by which $f.5e0O00 n available for this
state m exchange for an equal amount made avail
able By the state. These gentlemen believe the pro-
gram beyond our requirements. We do not agree
with them. Nothing IN the way Of road building.
that we can finance without dangcr 20 the credit of
the state, IA beyond our needs ia road building.
provided always that adequate provision is made
Tor maintenance Of every mile Of highway built.
This program Of accomplished legislation. ~
outlined above, II an aggressive. constructive, wise
program one of which any state legislature may
well be proud; one upon which the people of The
state may congratulate themselves, because il means