Deming graphic., 1921-08-23
BURSUMS WORK ATTRACTS
NATIONWIDE ATTENTION

accomplished more In the way Of homo
legislation than many Of his colleagues
who have spent political lifetime
wearing the toga. says n G. Bennett,
well known writer, in an extensive re-
view Of Bursums work published In
the National Republican.
Perhaps Bursums reputation as n
gluiton for work proceeded him ru
Washington, for instead Of being as
signed 10 a few minor committees as
most new senator's are he was I'm
medintely appointed TO three commit
ices Of vital importance, and two les
ser ones. The committee assignments
accorded him were public lands aud
surveys, military affairs, ciyl service,
pensions, privileges and elections.
Important for New Mexico
Members from western states hav-
ing large areas Of public lands regard
an assignment to the committee on
public lands and surveys a very choice
one. More than 20 per cent Of New
McXico's area, exclusive Of Indian
reservations and forest suvreys, CON
sists NJ public Lands governed by fed
oral legislation which Is initiated by
This committee or upon which tbs
committee passes.
The committee on civil service l.
regarded as Of vital importance at
this time bNcauSe II is conceded thu
getting the government machinery
back ON economical basis rests In a
large measure with the rules and reg
ulatiuu~ governing Uncle Sans GOO,-
900 civil employees
Now, nS always in the history Of
the United States. the committee on
military affairs is one Of the most
important Of congress, especially now
as the question Of International dis
armament has become pressing.
Home Legislation
While senator Bursum has been nm.
tagging In his work in constellation
Iof the measures affecting the country
as a whole, he has by no means neg
lcctcd the interests Of the people Of New
McNicn. quite to the contrary, it is
very doubtful IL any other senator has
ever succeeded IN getting ms many hin,
I fayomhly considered in so short
time. Among the major bills affect
ing New McNico and It's people intro.
duced by Senator Bursum 10 date are
| Bin 1875. to provide for compact
commission between the states Of Ari-
2ouo New Mexico, Colorado, California,
| Wyoming and Utah, and between those
states and the United States. respect
ing the disposition and utilization of
the waters Of the Colorado river FOR
irrigation.
viii Aid Reclamation
This bill is far reaching iu its cf.
feet and viii facilitate the irrigation
of New Mcvicos million acres Of rc-
claimahle land without interstate lit.
igation
Senator Bursum has introduced an
amendment To the McNary bill lu-
cluding within the scope Of reclaim
ing arid aud ,cmi-arid lands the drain
age Of such lands In cooperation with
irrigation. Tbs viii effect mainly
the 100000 acres in the middle Rio
| Grundo valley located north and south
Of Albuquerque.
Scn.tc bin 920, for the cousolidl-
tiou Of forest hand Ia or near nation-
al forests IN New Mexico. has passed
/ by th' senate and has gone 10 the
house Tor concurrent action II give,
| authority 10 forest reserve, 10 pro-
cure private lands 10y purchase in r,-
change for timber or other lands Of
equal value
Bill 1925. which ives the right to
make homestead entries upon coal
lands, giving the homcsteadcr the sur
face right to such land and also the
privilege Of mining coal for domestic
use upon the land until such time a.
the government may dispose Of the
coil This bill Is designed to afford
rclitt 10 many settlers of Sandoval
county.
Bin 1875 for the quieting OF title
to certain lands within Indian Pucoio
grants of New Mexico, gives title To
4 persons having posscssory rights and
who have occupied such lands. not 10
exceed 100 acres for term OF ten
years or more.
To Relieve Taxation
Bill 1905, granting 10 the state Of
Ncw Mexico the even numbered sec
tions Of land In townships wherein
odd numbered sections have been