Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1921-12-06
READY TO HELP.

1t is beyond understanding why w. A.. Hawkins
given the choice of direct or a devious route to
accomplish his ends will inevitably choose the de-
vious and Objectionable method. Whether practice
or temperament is responsible the onlooker can only
conjecture
The people living in the upper sections Of New
Mexico have had the slightest objection to
the people in the south part of the state asking for
a national park The rest of the state has stood
ready at all times to assist in any possible way IN
the accomplishment of that laudable purpose All
that was necessary for these southern counties
to frankly call a convention of their own people,
complete their plans, and then tell the rest OF the
state what could be done to assist
But Mr.. Hawkins could not do as simple thing
as that He must call convention Of 1.-THE people
OF New Mexico to undertake the project. Probably
Mr. Hawkins thought one from the north or
central part of the state would be present and that
he could put the convention in the name OF
'the people Of New Mexico"
The presence of three or four delegates from the
central-northern sections of the state required
hasty executive session" from which Mr.. Hawkins
asked the Albuquerque and Santa Fe representa-
tiyes to withdraw The plan was then revamped to
exclude them from participation in the organization
and to confine its membership to the south 1t was
a steamroller proposition when no steamroller was
needed All that necessary was to have called
a. convention of the southern counties and made the
a cordial spirit learn what might be done to help
our friends in the south. 1t illustration of
Hawkins methods.
The only objection the people of the north
central part Of the state have had to the call
was that they did not wish something done in the
name of "the people of New Mexico which would
put them in the position of saying that they believed
all government benefits should be given the south
II this were done and the north should ask for
national parks or national monuments we were
likely to be told that New Mexico had agreed once
that her park to be in the south and that she
was entitled to nothing We simply wished
to refrain from foreswearing ourselves.
This organization now is frankly made up Of the
southern counties There is reason In the world
why the rest of the not and will not lend
every possible aid in bringing Its plans to success
full elimination. At later date the south will
help doubtless in procuring for the north-centrai
section whatever its people decide they may want
No one should feel the slightest irritation toward
our brethren in the south The rather curt treat
ment the delegates from this section received IN the
convention The people down there greeted ouE
delegates cordially and had nothing to do with tie
silly methods used by Mr.. Hawkins, who was IN
charge Mr.. Hawkins merely got them in bad
as usual.
The south needs but to tell the rest Of the state
what it can do to help. Whatever that may DC
will be done heartily Everybody wants the monu-
ment to succeed promptly and fully. Mr.. Hawkins
did not need to put couple of Fall appointees to
federal office in the northcenral region on the roll
as honorary vice presidents" in order to get this
cooperation. We are ready to help because our
hearts prompt us to help, not because Mr.. Hawkins
"kidded" anybody by his worn-out subterfuge. Had
he placed them the executive committee, III
which all the power is reposed. both the upper part
of the state and these estimable gentlemen might
have been embarrassed.
Let the south tell us what we do to help: