Arizona republican., 1922-05-16
A. A. Belts Declines
to Enter Into the
Race for Governor

. declaring Inat the work connected
with spirited contest for the
Democratic nomination for governor
would prevent him giving the atten-
ton necessary to the rate hearings,
the favorable outcome of which
means so much to Phoenix and the
state of Arizona, A. A. Belts of the
state corporation commission has de-
clined to be a candidate.
His statement issued last night, is
as follows:
Il have been highly honored by
those of my friends who have urged
me to become a candidate for the
Democratic nomination for governor.
There is a profound gratitude in my
heart for the cordial expressions of
confidence and the unqualified ten
ders of support which have come TO
me.
THE most earnest and careful
consideration has been given to the
subject with the result that it is my
Judgment that | could not at this
time undertake the strenuous activi-
ties incident to a campaign for the
office of governor without neglect
ing the obligation which owe to the
people of the state in my present
position.
"The passenger fare case, upon
which we have been working for
several months, has been set for
hearing before the interstate COM
merce commission at Reno on June
9th: Phoenix, June IL, and Santa Fe
June 81 We firmly believe that we
have laid foundation so strong that,
followed to the end, we cannot lose
After the final hearing at Santa Fe,
briefs must be filed, which will likely
bring the case up to August 1. There
after oral argument will follow in
Washington about September l to
15. The winning of this case will
mean a saving to our citizens of ap-
proximately one million dollars an
nually.
"A hearing before the federal COM
mission has also been set for Phoe-
nix on June 5, at which coal rates
from points of production to all des-
tinations within Arizona will be con-
sidered. This case is of great i'm
portance and must be briefed and
perhaps argued orally.
"On May 9 notice was received
from the interstate commission that
the rehearing in the hay and grain
case has been set for Phoenix, June
10. 1t will be recalled that this is
the case which we fought and won
last fall, securing reductions directly
benefitting the farmers to the extent
of about one hundred fifty thousand
dollars per annum. The carriers
have applied for a reopening. 1t will
take constant, painstaking and tire
less work to hold what we have
briefed and argued and cannot be
disposed of before September j.
Each of these is a major case and
will require undivided attention for
a period of weeks. I could not do
justice either to myself or this work,
if engaged in a spirited contest for
the office of chief executive.
"Other and vital rate problems
arising out of the present muddled
railroad situation, many of q tech
nical nature. viii come up for ad-
justment during the next few years
and 1t is my opinion that l can best
serve the people in my present ca
pacity; therefore. / shall be a candi-
date for reelection to the office of
corporation commissioner and shall
endeavor to merit the continued con-
fidence and esteem of my fellow
citizens.
1T is with deep regret that I have
decided not to enter the race for the
nomination for governor, both per-
sonally and on account of the host
of friends who have so generously
and enthusiastically espoused by can
didacy.''