Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1921-11-21
A NATIONAL PARK.

Albert Bacon Fall, secretary of the interior and
a resident OF FL Paso, but maintaining technical
residence in New Mexico for political purposes, has
proposed to create national park for the benefi;
OF Ell Paso
The Journal has no objection to Ell Paso having
a national park Our only objection to the project
is the farce of talking about national park for
New Mexico when, in fact the proposal is for ma
tional park In New Mexico. but for FL Paso.
1t Is proposed to create a great national play
ground in the south part Of this state and to spend
some s12 900 900 in its Identification and in build
ing roads to it-from FL Paso. The results of such
a park will be a tremendous boom for Ell Paso and
the passing into eclipse of the great historic and
scenic portions of the state Let 1t be understood
that the Journal does not criticize Ell Paso. She
is justified in putting this deal across if she can
But 1t should not be done in the name of New
Mexico. Congress should understand that it is Ell
Paso and the extreme southern part of the state
which wishes it.
Secretary Fall has never been able to see seventy
miles north into New Mexico from his home in
FL Paso except during political elections when
Falls future was at stake. He is running true to
form when he wants this thing for FL Paso to the
exclusion of the rest OF the state His right bower
and political sponsor Bill Hawkins of Ell Paso, is
the chairman of the committee which has this
enterprise in charge.
The Hawkins committee has called meeting
of the "people of New Mexico at Las Cruces for
December 3, to memorabilia congress. The plan is
to have the people Of New Mexico" ask for this
park within the state. When it has been established
on the great scale proposed at the request OF
the people of Now Mexico" another national park
can not be had in this state in a quarter Of a CEN
fury.
When Secretary Fall made the suggestion OF
setting aside public domain in the south for ma
tional park. the Journal approved. We think rea-
sonabe Of public lands in the southern portion
of the state may well be set aside for future de-
velopment national park. We would be GLAD
to further such plan.
The bankers of FL Paso and her business men
are the ones who are pressing this matter. 1t is
at dinners In Ell Paso that the plans are being
laid to have the people of New Mexico" reso-
l1tions saying that the national park in New Mex
leo, should be in the south. To this We demur.
Santa Fe is the oldest city in the United States
The civilization and traditions not only greatly
senior in point of time. but unique in the ex-
IRENE. The ruins of the cliff jewellers, the ancient
battlefields, the of most precious historical
traditions and the location of our most marvellous
scenery is within hundred miles Of the Ancient !
City
Nothing can be permitted which will prevent or
long delay, that section from becoming of the
great Fairgrounds and beauty spots Of America. |
There lies the heart of historic and scenic New
United States should preserve for all time to come.
A park in the south is all right convenience !
to Ell Paso and as a source of profit to her and
her tributary territory. But 1t will not preserve
to the people of the United States the real historic
New Mexico. !
The people of this region should wake up They
should not sleep on while FL Paso walks off with /
this juicy plum in the Of the people of New
Mexico" Ration. Las Vegas, Santa Fe, Gallup and
other cities should what will happen to their
tourists If this project is put through in its present
form They should what it will do to the treas
ures of ancient New Mexico.
big delegation from the north should be at
Las Cruces December to help our friends down !
that way get all they entitled to and nothing
more. Two parks must be insisted upon in the one
transaction If there be but park In the
state should be placed for its historic and scenic
worth to the people of the United States and not
as a convenience and city building adjunct to Ell
Paso where Mr.. Fall lives.
If resolutions go from Las Cruces to Washing
ton saying the people of New Mexico unanimous
ly choose this project in the south for their national
park, protests will be unavailing.
Now is the time to act The time is short.