Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1921-03-29
A CHAMPIONSHIP GAME.

Mr. Secretary Fall, of the Interior Department,
quite properly expressed great concern that Gov
ernor Mechem should be guided by the popular wish
in New Mexico in appointing successor to Mr.. Fall
in the Senate Just how the secretary wished to
proceed in learning what the people wanted, we are
not advised However he was quite right in his sud
den decision that the public ought to be consulted.
Just when it was that Mr.. Fall began to be con-
cerned about what the people wanted, we do not
know. 1t must have been in the days Immediately
preceding the Appointment. for find nothing in
the record to show that Mr.. Fall had previously
shown the slightest concern for the wishes of the
people Of New Mexico. 1t would that he has
ignored the people with startling regularity.
The previous record of Mr.. Fall in the politics of
New Mexico casts considerable suspicion upon his
motives suddenly insisting that the people rule in
the matter of senatorial appointment. 1t fairly
evident that he felt that Governor Mechem would ap
point the governors personal and political friend Mr.
Bursum if he consulted his wishes in the matter.
Had Mr. Fall been willing that Mr.. Bursum be APP
pointed he would have of course, kept his silence.
Mr. Fall very evidently, violently hostile to the
Bursum selection. His apparent concern that the
people decide only expression of his wish
that "any old body" except the governor do the
selecting. Any one who believes that Mr.. Fall was
really concerned about what the people wanted al
lows himself to "be kidded."
The journal was favorable to the appointment
I OF Mr.. BufSum. All the reasons we nad are not Oh
immediate concern. They may develop later. But we
felt that the governor owed the appointment to Mr..
Bursum. We also were sure that the organization
was for Mr. Bursum. The people had just put the
governor and the organization in charge of their
affairs in New Mexico Thereby the people had COM
missioned the and the organization to use
their judgment The Journal thinks that when
Governor Mechem and the organization acted, it was
as complete public expression be had until
election is held. Then, in the light of the whole
situation, all decide for whom we wish to vote
senator.
We are not in the confidence of Senator Bursum,
He may may not be aware that Secretary Fall has
Started after his scalp, early and fast. But this is
undoubtedly true. If Senator Bursum continues in
his present apparent state of mind and attempts
conciiate Mr.. FAN, he will fail in his effort at con-
Citation and will probably lose nomination for
senator Mr. Fall has started in to eliminate Senator
Bursum. He is adopting the policy Of showing his
control of federal appointments in order to impress
the "band wagon boys" with his strength and with
Senator Bursum's weakness
The time is short that this race is no endurance
contest. 1t is a snappy one hundred yard dash and
the who is slow at the start will probably lose
the race. Senator Bursum must get away from the
scratch with the shot of the starting he will
lose
If the public will watch it will be presently,
that Secretary Fall intends to have all appointments
made for New Mexico by the time congress meets
April II. 1t will also be observed if close watch
is made that Mr. Falls solictude about the public
wishes has suddenly ebbed. The needs of the Fall
machine and not the needs wishes of the public
will determine these appointments
We predict that the New Mexico appointments
will practically all go to the senate for confirmation
in the first three days of the special session This will
be done in order to get them through while Senator
Bursum is too unfamiliar with the procedure, too
unacquainted with his future colleagues and too
certain of his status, to offer effective opposition
Senator Bursum must go to Washington with his
Fighting clothes on if he is not to suffer humil
ating defeat at the hands of Mr. Fall before the new
congress is a week old. There is effective way
for him to prevent combinations and thus to show
his strength. if he has the heart to give battle But
every effort will be made by Mr. Fall, through his
friends in the senate, to convince the senator
that it is unbecoming for new member to make the
Kind of fight necessary to win 1t will require great
fortude to resist this pressure If he yields to it
he has lost the first effective round of his battle for
IN election to succeed himself.
Senator Bursum is much more astute politician
han Mr.. Fall But he is a novice in the senate and
hat is tremendous handicap. Bursum is much
loser to the people in New Mexico than Fall. There
a way, by becoming the champion of decency, in
egrity and ability in selecting federal appointees,
~ which he effectively carry the people with
him. Will he rise to it? A test of Senator Bursums
ideity to the public interest can be made on the
question of the confirmation of a man, having re-
ess appointment who has the record of previous
emova from federal office for the wrongful hand
ing of public money.
THE Journal does not deplore this break be-
ween these two We believe that the public
viii be the beneficiary Our sympathies are, at
,rcsent, with Senator Bursum Whether he adopts n
,dffcy that will retain sympathy the future alone
an tell.
sour Independent position Us spectator, the
ide lines a comfortable place to occupy. We ex-
rect to see great game Admission is free and we
Idvise all the fans to get good seat.