The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1920-12-06
HELPLESS CLERKS
IN LAND OFFICE IN
NEED OF ADVISER
Apply to Critic for In
structions as to
What to Do

SANTA FE. n. NJ, Dec. Cup 10
today there had been no comment
from state Land Commissioner Field
or members OF his office staff on the
report OF the special revenue com
mission which severely criticises ccr-
tain phases Of lane department adj
ministration: nor has there been any
as TO recent charges OF tho
Albuquerque journal, based ON the
revenue COMMISSIONS report, that
tho department is run by n bunch
OF clerks" Both the revenue corr
missions report and the newspaper
charge that Land Commissioner
Field spends little or no time In tho
office and that he does not exercise
supervision over Il.
Employees OF the office said today
that Commissioner Field spent the
larger part OF the time In his office,
although he was nj lines required e.
leave Il to attend to business In the
field. They said hat he had an in
TN ate, firsthand acquaintance with
every transaction passing through
Tho office. since tho law requires his
approval Of every such transaction
before II can be completed.
we nave been puzzled as to JUS
what to do" slid one department.
head, when the commissioner Is 5vt
OF town. as he sometimes has TO b.
II the land administration Ia to have
proper attention. We want to please
the revenue commission, and tho
Albuquerque journal. and every
thing. and while It would be pleasant
tu put all 'he details up TO the COM
missioner and only work when he's In
the office, II would sort Of slow up
the proceedings for patrons OF the
office: in fact II would probably cut
down tho revenues considerably right
off the reel. So, IN O desire to do our
duty and keep everybody happy, we
have put our case up TO the auditor
OF the Taxpayers association, who Is
n friend OF everybody in the office,
who has spent some time in the cap
itoi. and who probably knows more
about the land office than any one
else directly or indirectly connected
with the special revenue commission,
none OF whose members have ever
been inside the office In an official
capacity, so far as we know. There
fore. entirely on our own RESPONSE
bnity and in our capacity as citizens
and without the knowledge or con-
sent OF the commissioner. the land
office statf Joined In n letter to Mr..
Stephens. asking for his advice. II
- - ntAN ~ - ~ - ANa W.
are hoping for n quick rescue
A copy OF the letter referred to
followa;
--rl vert %, 'sr December 3. 1890.
Mr.. II. r. stephens,
Auditor state Taxpayers Associa.
ton. Santa Fe. New Mexico.
Dear Sir; We have Just received an
application for a lease upon n certain
school section which appears from
the recordssto he Unbiased. Mr.. Field
is not here, and while the land APP
pears to be Unbiased. and the appli-
cation in proper form. accompanied
by the required fees. as well as by
an nppraiscment. we do not know
what to do with II. Please give us
the benefit OF our judgment as 10
whit disposition should be made OF
this application under the circum-
stances and advise us specifically, MS
20 this application. what disposition
you would. under all OF the circum.
stances and facts surrounding n. and
IN consideration OF the absence OF Mr..
Field, not overlooking or forgetting
the recommendations and criticisms
OF the procedure heretofore existing
In this office in cases of this kind.
as made by the now Justly famous
revenue commission, II III Mnu,e
matter were put up to you in all Its
bearings, make OF Il. Anxlously
awaiting your advice on this Import
ant question. we are,
THE STATE LAND OFFICE STAFF.
J., S.-Since writing the above MFR.
Field has arrived. and the question
put up TO you Is now only a moot
question. However, In order that we
may have your judgment to guide us
N the future. we should still like TO
have you give the matter your
%prayerfui consideration.
Il. s.. L. o. s.