The copper era and Morenci leader., 1920-05-14
POLITICAL STORM Is RACING
 AT STATE CAPITAL

The state capital during the paSe week has experienced political storm which has centered about the office | of the State Land Commission, men, tion of which was made in last weeks ERA. The resignation of State Land Commissioner, w. A. Mouer, has been requested by three members of the commission, including State Treasurer Ross, Attorney General Wiley E. Jones and State Auditor Jesse Boyce. The letter requesting the resignation of the Land Commissioner appears else where in this issue.
 The State Land Commission is com posed of five members as follows: Governor T. E. Campbell, Treasurer H. $. Ross, Attorney General Wiley B. Jones, Auditor Jesse Boyce and Secre- tary of State Mitt Simms. State Land Commissioner Mouer holds his office by virtue of appointment by the Com mission.
 Although the letter requesting the res ignation of the Commissioner is couch ed in diplomatic language and the reason for the request is based on the i'll health of the Commissioner, that official appears to pc in fairly good n0dlln anu udS ldLly I6luoOu IO lO- sign, has retained an attorney and de- manded a public hearing, which has been in progress in Phoenix this week At the first meeting of the Conlmis- sion it developed that the i'll health of the Commissioner was not the prime motive behind the request for his res ignation. A letter was introduced purporting to have been written by a natflQ- man of Cochise county, who resides at Benson. The letter was enclosed to Governor Campbell in an anonymous communication Mouer has freely ad- mitted the receipt of the letter and the alleged writer of the same has stated that it is a forgery. At any rate a motion was made by Auditor Boyce that the office of the Land Commis- sioner be declared vacant and upon a vote being taken Boyce and Jones voted aye and Simms, Ross and Camp. bell voted no. Ross and Campbell ex plained their vote by stating the charges alleged~in the letter had not been substantiated. The letter pur ported to have been written to MoueI by Barrows related to certain tract of land, and mentioning, incidentally the sum of $5OO.OO.
 Commissioner Moeur, testifying ir his OWE behalf, den.ed having receiv ed $500 or any other sum in connec tion with the land transaction and further denied having taken at any time from anyone any money on hi. own account in relation to sales ol leases of state land. At various times he said, persons had approached hin with tenders of money, but he said ht had pitied their ignorance and refus ed the money.
 Barrows, as witness, denied having written the letter. He also said h. had not paid any money to Commis 'sioner Moeur to inuuence his actiol and said he had not entertained sucl an idea Asked who did write tn letter, he said he believed it was writ ten by a land lawyer of Phoenix nam ed A. F. Parker, who has since lief Phoenix and is said to be in Ell Pasc
 The entrance of a woman as vii ness. who proved to be the wife of A F. Parker, the land lawyer who figul ed largely in the previous testimony and the statement by her that she ha been called on Friday night by H. Ross. state treasurer and member c the land board, who told her that Con missioner Mouer would kill her hu: band on sight, featured the publi hearing Tuesday night of the invest -gation into the affairs of the stat land office.
 In connection with the appearanc of Mrs. Parker on the stand came charge of conspiracy, made by Alto ney Bullard, representing Commission ,er Mouer and the presentation by hil of a telegram from Parker to Moue which he claimed proved pre-know edge of events on the part of Parke which could only be acquired by il timate association with others.
 Following was the telegram:
 "Ex-Land Commissioner Moeur,
 -t'Phoenix Arizona.
 Congratulations on your prom tion. have always believed yo would make good if promoted. Yo will do we'll in your new position.
 ''A. F. Parker"
 Since the investigation has bee under way Governor Campbell state that he had been in receipt of seve or eight complaints against the Lar Commissioner and had notified u complainants to present themselv' before the Commission within fort eight hours.
 AS the ERA goes to press the inve tigation is still under way in Phoen and the political pot is boiling red he Renewal of all Leases is Stopped
 Phoenix, May 13.-Following u open investigation meeting of tue laI department by the State Land Boa on Wednesday night, an executive se sion of the board was held.
 At this meetingFit it was voted unaI Inoxsty, and the governor was instru' .od fp 90 notify the laAd co1nHissieB