The New York herald., 1921-09-19
NEW MEXICO FIGHTS
ON NATIONAL ISSUES
Harding Administration Comes
Up for Approval in Sena-
torial Contest.

Special Despatch to THE New YORK HERALD.
ALBUQUERQUE, Sept. 1s.--In the cam
paign to elect United States Senator
from New Mexico to fiji the unexpircd
term OF Albert B. Fall, now Secretary
OF the Interior. the personal fitness Of
the two principal candidates has been
largely ignored and national issues have
been injected until the voters on Tues
day virtually will weigh the Harding
Administration and decide whether a
State which. though normally Demo-
cratic In national politics and which
gave Harding 1900 plurality last fall,
has repented its action.
Holm Q. Bursum, Republican, now
holding the temporary appointment as
Senator. is regarded as having more
than an equal chance to defeat his
Democratic opponent. Richard H. Hanna
His possible majority Is estimated at
between 1000 and 10000, although the
Democratic forces maintain that their
campaign has gained tremendous mo-
mentum In the closing days. Both Bur-
sum and Hanna twice have been de-
feated for high Offices. Bursum each time
for Governor and Hanna once for the
Supreme Court and once for Governor.
The issues in the campaign centre
around reclamation and drainage, soldier
relief. tariff measures and the Newberry
case. There are some State problems
involved. but emphasis has been placed
on national affairs. The Republicans
have pointed to the agricultural credits
DILL the emergency and Fordney tariff
measures and the McNary reclamation
proposal as proofs that the Government
at Washington Is at work for the West.
Democratic campaigners. headed by SEN
ator Jones Of New Mexico and three Rep
resentatives from adjoining States, have
branded the agricultural credits bill as
unworkable for the Southwestern cattle
men, have denounced tariff legislation for
the absence of protection to hides and
cotton II protection was to be extended
at all and have insisted that the McNary
bill does not include the drainage fea-
lures most needed in the Rio Grande
Valley.
The Republicans have asked that
Bursum be returned, In order that the
present Administration be endorsed ard
Hardfng's hand In the disarmament con-
ference be strengthened.
The bill to adjust compensation 10
SoiuterS Is IN. Cnlei DOne or contention.
Both Bursuin and Jones, New Mexico
Senators, voted against recommittal. but
Bursum is held for the acts of other
Republican Senators. The recommittal
OF the measure Is denounced as proof
that no Republican Congress will adjust
the compensation of the soldiers
Headed by Victor Heintz. former Con-
gressman from Ohio and intimate friend
Of the late Col. Fritz Galbraith. Repub-
lican speakers have praised Bursum for
his introduction of a bill to aid emer-
gency officers and for his assistance on
other soldier measures.
The Newberry case is being used by
the Democrats in appeals to women
voters. II is argued that no member Of
Congress who voted to whitewash the
Michigan Senator could merit the vote
or women. whose mission ia. they state.
to purify politics.
Oddly enough the policy or admins
tration OF the Department OF interior
has not been involved in the campaign.
Secretary Fall has been touring the
West, but has taken pains not to be in
New Mexico. He opposed the appoint
ment OF Mr. Bursurn as his successor.
fought his nomination and has not aided
in any way in his campaign.