Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1922-01-06
WHEN THERE IS NO PEACE.

When two men are engaged In a fist-fight in a
muddy street they certain to look alike to the
spectator. Both are apt to be muddy bloody and
tattered. The onlooker. who does not understand
the cause is likely to be disguised with both
Yet one may have been the aggressor and have
forced the other to fight in defense One may have
been slanderer Of women AMI the other the defend
of their honor or their person. When we know OF
the back of the row our sympathles are
soon fixed.
Therefore, in the present rather sorry spectacle
the public is witnessing between the Journal and
large array special interests crooked politicians
and corrupted newspapers, the onlooker should not
forget what started the row, what is at stake
in the outcome.
The present management Of this newspaper be-
gan about two years ago, Secretary Fall W. A.
Hawkins and their associates gladly welcomed the
new editor, to whom they had sold the paper, an
ally to be desired. All the big interests and big
politicians gave cordial reception. Everything
augured well for the future.
We frankly confess that we came with IN
tentlon of starting a Life looked rosy and
prosperity and comfort lay ahead, Vouched for by
the "big chiefs" all right and of the push"
the First National bank gladly loaned $4,000
of the purchase price OF the paper We had Dor"
rowed largely elsewhere in making our sudden pur
chase, expecting to liquidate property and pay our
borrowings later
sell the paper or fight to clean up conditions. No
seIf-respecng could tolerate being party to
the things we soon discovered to be going on. We
found our political and financial gods in New Mex
leo to have feet of clay
Probably, had then anticipated the financial
depression, we would not have had the courage to
tackle the job of helping to clean up We would
have foreseen financial troubles, with other
property unstable. Perhaps it Is well that dil
not foresee.
We began to criticize. We questioned the mine
tax law which is fraud other taxpayers. In
stantly we brought the whole bunch Of the poco
financial group down our heads. We attacked
political corruption acquescence and the fat was
Immediately in the fire. We were compelled to
fight our way through to victory for the people or
quit.
We elected to fight. We elect TO fight now.
The dscouraging phase of the matter the
seeming apathy of good people. In many cases
there was open hostility from those upon whom
we felt that we should he able to rely.
Politics has been the of New Mexico
party politics With the good and intelligent people
dividing party lines the corrupt and the ignor-
ant, by the use of money, have been used to main
tain control. Was palmer scheme worked
successfully on a patient people? Party is but
name in New Mexico with which to effect this di-
vision. There is no more similarity between the
republican party in the nation and the so-caed re-
publican party in New Mexico, constituted at
present, than there is between bengal tiger and
a singed cat 1t is ridiculous that the party shib
boleth can be used to perpetuate bad government
When the politico-financal group deserted us
1t included the First National. Then suits followed
An effort made to drive the disturber out. 1t
did not work and the matter quieed down.
Meantime the Journal pounded for the creation
of a wholesome public sentiment which would re-
fuse to tolerate the outrageous conditions prevail
In old in had
boosted that they would "get" later
Then came indictments for J. NJ. Reynolds and
Guy Rogers Of the First National We had moth !
ing to do with these indictments They knew that.
But an alibi must be established. Public attention
must be diverted incidentally, the insoent inter-
loper who had shown that their unconscionabe
power could be defed with safety still thorn
in the flesh.
So it was decided to strike before he did and to
blame all the troubles they were in on him. This
time they would have the newspaper which was
their servant utterly ruin this pretender
So the fight is on again. 1t Is not fight OF our
choosing. 1t is forced upon US. But we accept It.
The power Of big financial and political interests
to crush those who refuse to line up" must be
broken. Now is good time any to finish
the Job.
When this bank learns that It is Just bank
when 1t learns that its money belongs to the peo-
pie, not to it; when 1t learns that service and not
coercion Is ltS MISSION, we Will cooperate Blduly
with It. As long as it tries to club may know
that its attitude IS to club every else who an
tagonizes 1t. No individual small bank which
IS borrower is safe 1t must change this attitude
and learn that in free America think and do as
we please. Owing them 500 or $4,000 or $4,000
gives them right to control the political think
ing acting of the borrower.
If the public must be aroused to realize that
they give this dangerous power by consolidating
their earnings In the banks hands II the people
must be taught that the way to freedom from fear
of this power is to withdraw those earnings
will attempt the task We shirk from It. We ad-
nire this great, strong salwart institution, capable
of much for good or ILL., A simple change of at
titude would make 1t admirable.
When this bank and the politicians catch the
spirit Of service to the people; when they at last
realize that all power comes from the people and
must be used for the people, will live together
In peace. Meanwhile, why cry peace when there is
peace?
EUROpEyS DEBT TO Us