Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1920-11-23

We have stated repeatedly, opinion that
there 10 nothing wrong with the books of state
land office. No one in our judgment is stealing
any OF the money received by that office. The
special Revenue Commission has been investigating
the land office books Their report. due hi, week,
viii doubtless show the books to be in order.
None the less we assert that the management
OF the land office will create scandal. if The
facts become fully known to the public. We re-
iterate that we believe Nelson Field, land cemmis
soner, to be an honest man. Our impression from
his management of the office is that he is incom-
petent. He will now have a chance, during EiT
rev term of office to dispel this opinoin held by
many citizens
Mr.. Field admitted to the Journal that the task
of running the land office too great for him
to fully understand it. He admitted that he needed
to make changes in the personnel of his office
force but pleaded that inadequate salary allow
did not permit him to employ competent
- men.
These lands are a great public trust, of the
most sacred character. 1t is simply astounding
that public is not aroused the point of frenzy
the terribly bad faith show state in
administering this trust. That the women of the
state who the natural guardians of the we'll
being of their children, whom these lands be-
long, do not arouse themselves, in comparison
way, to demand the proper management of these
lands passes our comprehension. We pronounce
this management a public outrage. Will the women
not exert themselves to the point of finding out
something of the truth of what assert? They
will be bewinldered by what they learn.
These lands belong to children in perpetu-
ity The state Ia their guardian. If private guar
dian acted as laxiy and in bad faith the
state acts he would be promptly dismissed by the
court and suit brought against his bondsmen.
Hundreds of thousands of dollars is allowed
to lie in the banks upon which schools drawn
no
ent would permit such conduct from guardian.
Our land sale law is disgrace. The buyer
pays per cent down and may pay the balance
any time within 80 years Four per cent interest
is paid on the deferred amounts. This is only an
option. If the land increases in value he may take
it, If not, he may release it, And he has thirty
years to decide. This law should be promptly re-
pealed and investigation made of frauds prac
tced under it. For this law Mr.. Field has re-
sponsibility.
No one knows what is going on in the land
office. Biennially short, summarized report is
made. But it is made too late to be scrutinized
before the legislature must act This report should
be large book instead of small pamphlet and
should recite in detail the handling of the lands
1t should be published for biennial period ending
July /, so as to be in the hands of the public by
September is. Management of the office could ,
then be intelligent political issue and public
sentiment could be crystazed before the legislature
meets The present plan was devised in a de-
berate effort to smother publicity and to keep the
people in the dark. AS result the public seems
absolutely apathetic about this most serious and
sacred matter.
No knows today how much of our -, 000, 600
of land actually has been sold at what
price No knows to whom the balance has
been leased in what blocks of acreage nor at
what rental 1t is appalling situation demand
ing organized effort by the mothers of New
Mexico to find out about 1t.
1t is presumed that some 100000 is UNI
sold. A large part of this is leased. Right here
is greatest disgrace for it is leased by private
deals made between the land office and the ten
ant. The power of the commissioner is plenary to
set any price which his .whim dictates.
No guardian lease wards land except to
the frauds ana mistakes of any other system. Yet
New Mexico tolerates such system with its school
lands.
These lands should be leased at public sale to
the highest bidder with preference right in the
present holder to retain II at the high bid. The
lands should be classified in order to permit of the
intelligent fixing of the minimum bid which will
be accepted. Penalties should be provided for col
fusion to prevent a free competitive sale OF the
lease. Methods should be devised for ntelligently
determining the sized blocks of acreage which can
be leased with best advantage to the school funds
If the taker under the high bid is tenant he
should pay for improvements made by the former