Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1920-09-01
Tentative Plank Endorsing
Change win Be Presented
To G. O. P. Convention,
1t Is Reported.

u 10 tlCi@Vl lCus
tNotc: The following inter-
view with II. O. Bursum, So
zorro, is reprinted from the
Evening Hcrald)
Socorro, n. NJ, Aug. Sex
pressing opposition to an appoint
i've commission to administer the
state lands. or to any change in the
states land policy which would
take the selection of the admins
trative authority out of the hands
OF the people, Hon. Holm O. Bur
sum, republican national commit
teeman, said today he favored sub
miss. on of constitutional amend
meht proposing the creation of an
elective non-partisan commission of
three members to assume the du-
tles now devolving on the state land
commissioner and all other func-
ions connected with the state lands
or the trust funds derived there
from.
The plan suggested by Mr.. Bur-
sum proposes that the land COM
missioners be elected, for Arms of
three, six and nine years, two of
whom, at the first election would
be chosen by the majority and one
by the minority party. those elect
ed TO draw lots to determine their
respective tenure of office after
election. Thereafter the commits
sion would be continuous, it's MEM
bership always including repre-
sentative of the minority party,
chosen at the polls. He indicated
that a tentative plank had been
drawn embodying his plan, for the
consideration of the platform COM
mittee of the coming republican |
state convention.
Mr.. Bursum was asked by the l
Herald's representative to discuss
the plank in the democratic state |
platform relative to state land ad- |
ministratlon, which he found indef-
mite; and other proposals for
changing the state land admin |
istratioh, including that of the AL
buquerque Journal for an appoint
i've commission.
II would prefer to tell you some
thing of what l have been trying to
work out in connection with the
state land administration" Mr.. Bur-
sum said. rather than to criticise
or discuss the democratic platform
and other proposals, which do not
seem to me to suggest any construc-
tive changes in our state land pol
Icy or anything likely to lead to adj
ministration more satisfactory TO
the people.
Il would like to say, first that l
think the state is entitled to be
congratulated upon the splendid re-
suits from the administration of
our state lands since the endow-
ments to the state were made by
From the beginning upI
to the present time the financial re-
turns to the state have been eX-
tremely gratifying and profitable.
The net profit, or yield in revenue
from the land has been in excess
of 80 per cent, with an expense Of
administration averaging 5 per
cent and in recent years nearer
per cent of the gross income. Few
of such size, either pub
lie or private, are able to make any
such showing '.
1--WE have been fortunate in the
personnel of our state land COM
thus far. A. A. Keen,
Robert Il. Ervien and Nelson Field,
who have served as missioner
IF public lands in the order named ,
nave demonstrated not only the ,
highest integrity but exceptional
ability in a difficult and, eXaCting
administrative position. No other
itate in the union can boast OF such
/ record as New Mexico has made,
within the same number Of years
rom the Inauguration of its state
and administration, when the
character of our lands is properly
aiken into consideration
New Conditions Create Demand.
However, as time goes on, as
population and values increase and
Is available range land decreases the
scramble for range land increases.
State lands for which there was alb
olutely no demand ten years ago
md which went begging for users
wen five years ago, are now IN
.ager demand. The burden upon
he land commissioner Increases
md daily it becomes more difficult
o satisfy either those who seek
and at sale or lease, or to satisfy
public opinion.
Therefore | am in favor of such
hanges in the management Of our
public lands as may improve the
ervice and equip constituted au-
hority to proceed with the conf
lence of the masses of the people,
Opposes Appointive Commission.
II am opposed to the suggestion
hat a non-partisan commission be
reated and appointed by the gov Q
rnor. Unless the state should G
dept the short ballot, in which y
ase the principle should apply to 4
II elective offices, TO delegate the 8
ower of appointment of a land
oard to the governor would simply E
mean in effect that the governor =
Tould be the land commissioner. 1t =
'ould surrender the power now ex-
rcised by the people of choosing
he land commissioner, and turn 1t
yer to the governor. A non parts II
n board created by appointment a
, impossible. There Is no such c
nimal in political life up to date: ii
simply means that of board or
hree persons, two members would T
e selected from the majority +
arty, one member selected from i
h q ainnrifxy norfu oil NJ tbnD1 Sc A