Albuquerque Journal from Albuquerque, New Mexico • Page 2

November 19, 1962 A.2 ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL A Fighter, Senator Dennis Chavez Battled to Top Post In 1942, Chavez backed his By WAYNE S. SCOTT a justice of the State Supreme Court. He was elected to the state legislature in 1920, He was a fighter, the lad who was bora 74 years ago in a poor adobe home in Los where he sponsored a bill to provide free textbooks for Chavez and was baptized Den school children. nis Chavez. He fought his In 1930 he won election to nis attended a Presbyterian Mission School which then stood at Second and Trumbull SW.

He later attended the old Third Ward School. But the family's finances, which had never been good, became even worse. Young Chavez was forced to quit school when in the seventh grade, to aid his father in supporting the family. There were eight children. His first job was as a de way out of the poverty of his early days, battled his way to one of the most powerful the U.S.

House of Representa tives, defeating the incumbent, Albert G. Simms, Re- publican. During his first term in the House ne unsuo posts in the U. S. Senate, kept on fighting to better the conditions of those who had not been able to work their own way above poverty.

cessfully fought for a public works bill, but successfully sponsored a bill granting a livery boy for Charles Conroy, at the Highland Grocery Store. friend, Bryan G. Johnson, in the latter's unsuccessful attempt for the Democratic nomination for governor. Dempsey won the nomination. Clyde Tingley who had appointed Chavez to the senate originally was among those who fought Johnson in this primary.

He carried on open feuds with John E. Miles and Thomas J. Mabry, during their terms as governors. When MileV was defeated, in 1950, for a return to the governor's office, there were many rumors Chavez had given support to the winner, Republican Edwin L. Mechem.

Doubts Removed There is no doubt as to the senator's role in the defeats of Gov. John F. Simms in 1956 and Gov. John Burroughs in 1958, by Mechem. Dennis Chavez son of the senator, in a recent campaign talk in New Mexico said his father had withheld support from Simms and Burroughs He was uncompromising In his beliefs even to the point of giving up a needed job rather than deliver groceries moratorium on construction assessments of reclamation districts.

During his second to strikebreakers. He a 1 term, he successfully sponsored a measure which allowed long-time settlers on broke from his father politi Work hours were 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily 11 p.m. on Saturdays.

During this time Chavez pursued his education by the aid of books from the public library. His grocery career ended abruptly when he was 18. He cal party because he didn't think it had the interests of the common man at heart but was not adverse in later years to withholding support from the nominee of his own lands to which Indians had title to keep the lands, with the Indians receiving a y-ment. Headed the Party Chavez became Democratic national committeeman for New Mexico in 1933. The next year, he opposed the incumbent, Republican was instructed by his employer to deliver groceries to a group of strike breakers.

He refused. He was promptly fired. party. He was beloved by thousands of his fellow New Mexicans and hated by almost as many. His political fights were sav It was about this time he made his decision to ioin the Bronson Cutting, for the U.S, age but he won most Democratic party.

His father Senate. Cutting was declared them. He twice fought, and had been a Republican, a the winner. Chavez filed licked, that dreaded ailment, contest with the Senate. This cancer.

Death was due at last to a heart attack. was pending when Cutting was killed in an airplane crash. The late Clyde Tingley, Chavez served 27 years in peace justice ana uur precinct chairman at Los Chavez before moving to Albuquerque. He was Republican chairman of Precinct 5 after moving here. The senator used to recall the Senate, becoming one of then governor, appointed Chavez to the vacancy.

He was its most colorful and power elected in 1936 defeating the powerful Miguel A. Otero he "had many a hot word ful figures. He was fourth in seniority in the entire chamber, and held the powerful chairmanships of the Commit with my father" over poli Jr. of Santa Fe, Republican. He was re-elected in 1940, tics.

The younger Chavez hat ed the so called "patron 1946, 1952 and 1958. Every tee on Public Works and the subcommittee on defense election was a tough fight. system which set up landowners as virtually omnipo In 1940, he was opposed for the Democratic nomination by He will be remembered the late John J. Dempsey, in their bids for re-election, because he had not liked their administrations. In 1948, Chavez had his first serious bout with disease.

He become quite ill with cancer of the stomach and had about two-thirds of his stomach removed in an operation at St. Joseph's Hospital. He suffered cancer of the throat about two years ago. He came to Albuquerque for treatment, had an operation and in Washington took cobalt treatments. Between hospital stays, he continued to actively work in the Senate and on its committees.

His death was attributed to a heart attack. Chavez received many honors during his long career. Among them, and its bestowal was ranked by the senator as one of the top events of his life, was the Order of the Aztec Eagle, First Class, the top award of Mexico. It was presented by Mexican Ambassador Antonio Carrillo Flores in September, 1961. Topped Efforts "For me it was the culmination of years of effort to better relations with our vital chiefly for his senate service But before that he was a U.S former congressman and former governor.

Chavez won representative and served in the state legislature. He was an attorney, had been an by about 3000 votes. But recounts demanded by Dempsey went on for weeks, with tent people in their communities. They owned the land and houses and in effect the people themselves. Most were Republicans." A Democrat So when the.

younger Chavez turned to politics himself, in 1916, he entered through the Democratic party. Meanwhile, about the time out changing the result. The 1946 primary was a repeat, Chavez defeated Dempsey by vrff; Kf i tm about 10,000 votes in this con engineer, newspaper editor, deputy game warden and grocery store employe. Senator Chavez was born April 8, 1888, in a small adobe house in the village of Los Chavez, north of Belen in Valencia County. The land on which the house stood had been granted to his direct ancestors by King Phillip II of Spain in 1597.

His parents, David Chavez and Paz Sanchez de Chavez, were test but was opposed by Republican Patrick J. Hurley in the general election. Hurley tried again in 1952 to he was fired from his grocery job, Chavez made the acquaintance of Jim Gladding, a young engineer who wrest the senate seat from Chavez, and when the incumbent was declared the winner, filed a contest of the election with the Senate it neighbors to the south," Chavez himself said. self. This dragged on until had just moved to Albuquerque.

Under Gladding's guidance, he studied engineering at night and qualified as a surveyor. When Gladding became city engineer of Albuquerque, in 1906, Chavez became his assistant. As such, he aided in designing and supervising construction the old part of the present Toward the end of his life, he looked backward in a series of articles for the Journal. He made this comment: March, 1954, when the senate confirmed Chavez winner. Planned New Campaign His re nomination and reelection in 1958 was relatively easy.

He had announced, AFTER HIS LAST ELECTION: U.S. Sen. Dennis Chavez and his family radiate a glow of happiness as they posed in Albuquerque after his victory in the 1958 election. It was the fifth straight election as senator for Chavez. Seated on the couch are, left to senator.

In front are, his daughters, Mrs. George Dixon, left, of Washington, and Mrs. Jorge Tristani of San Juan, Puerto Rico. The entire family had gathered again during the last week, in Washington, in anticipation of a Thanksgiving Day reunion at the senator's home. "It was the early years, the city hall and 33 miles of sew- age system.

He later worked right, Dennis Chavez the senator's wife and the hard years of growing up in a poor country, that made the difference. They were years rich in human warmth. They territorial territorial for the engineer, members of families which had lived in the community for generations. His boyhood was typical of that of a rural New Mexico boy of that time. The family poke only Spanish.

Young Dennis worked long hours in the fields, tending the crops that were to furnish the family's food and watching the cattle and sheep on the pastures. In 1895, the family moved to Barelas that part of present-day Albuquerque just east of the Barelas Bridge. The move was made to give the children better educational opportunities. Young Den at the chance mainly because he could continue his taught me a knowledge of education in night school. In New Mexico, her people and problems, that has enabled me to serve effectively through more than 30 years about a year ago, he would seek re-election in 1964.

He repeated this intention in an interview during his last visit to Albuquerque, shortly before the general election. The senator always kept a close watch on the political pulse of New Mexico and frequently tried to influence the course of its elections. He had frequent "breaks" with leaders of his own party. of occupations. He edited a Belen newspaper until he wrote an editorial which did not match the owners views.

He was fired again. He then worked for the territorial engineer, operated a construction firm in Albuquerque i partnership with the late Ra cial, president of the New Mexico Press Assn. and member of the then-dominant Republican party, won easily. In 1917 came a big chance for young Chavez to continue upward. The late Sen.

A. A. Jones, Democrat, offered him the post of assistant clerk of the U.S. Senate. He jumped sistant state game warden in 1917.

In 1916 he had his 1 a political fight and lost. He became Democratic nominee for Bernalillo County clerk, and attempted to unseat the incumbent, Don Nestor Mon-toya. The latter, an experienced orator and public offi Jim French, and built the first highway in Rio Arriba County, between Espanola and Abiquiu. In 1911 he married Imelda Espinosa, a member of another longtime and prominent New Mexico family. For the next few years, Chavez worked at a variety 1920 he graduated from the law school of Georgetown University and returned to Albuquerque to practice law.

Two years later he was joined in high office. "I like to think I ve repaid New Mexico in some small in that practice by his broth measure for the favors she er, David Chavez, now fael Garcia, became an as did me as a child." 'expected to be a candidate Too Far Advanced Weather Report again in 1964. Mechem, who has served an unprecedented four two- Weather report tor the 24 bour ending iU p.m. Sunday, furnished by the U.S. Weatber Bureau (tattoo at Municipal Airport.

Weather ea.) denotes condition at 5 p.m. observation time. Precipitation (Prep.) 1b the amount ot rain or melted State Capitol Flags Flown at Half Mast SANTA FE (fl The flags over the New Mexico state capitol flew at half mast Sunday in memory of U.S. Sen. Dennis Chavez.

Secy, of State Betty Fior year terms as governor, has Chavez Cancer Condition Inoperable, Lovelace Says snow In Inches and hundredths. Temperature Wea. HI Lo Prep. Clear 53 31 Tr. Journal Index Bridge B-ll Crossword Puzzle B-ll Classified B-7-B-10 Comics B-ll Dear Abby A- Editorials A-4 Movies B-5 Obituaries A Patterns B-ll Sports B-l-B-2 TV Log A ll TV rre views A-ll Weather Table A-2 .03 long been the Republicans' strongest magnet at the polls.

Mechem said only Friday he will not seek the governor's office again. He also said he does not aspire to a Congressional post, Alamogordo Albuquerqut Carlsbad Clayton Clovls Cloudy Pt Cldy Cloudy Cloudy Clear .01 By HAROLD R. WILLIAMS ina said she gave the direc City Woman's Father Given French Award Gaston Mallet, father of Mrs. Allen Roth of 432 Alcazar NE, recently was awarded the Palmes Acade-miques. The award was given by the French government for aordinary services to France.

Mallet, an architect, is now living in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Other of his awards include membership in French Legion of Honor, and the War Cross, awarded during World War I. Mrs. Roth, his daughter, is a graduate student at the University of New Mexico. Her husband is a Sandia High School teacher.

40 29 46 28 28 13 30 18 58 35 38 31 55 33 39 26 Deming Of the Associated Press tion for the flags to be flown .11 Farmington Sen. Dennis Chavez's phy Olenwood Grants at half mast until after Sen. .12 Snow Pt Cldy Snow Pt Cldy Cloudy 43 30 Hobbs that he plans to retire from sician and close friend, Dr. Chavez' funeral. the senator was a very sick man." Chavez also had a checkup on the cancer while in Albuquerque during the November election this year, Lovelace said.

"It was remarkable the 25 politics. But he was speak Las Vegas Los Alamos Raton (Airport) PtCldy 27 W. R. Lovelace said Sun Mrs. i ri na expressed ing of having to run for office 41 Roswell Clear He was to have returned to his home Sunday, hospital authorities said.

Dr. Lovelace said, "It is one of the greatest losses New Mexico ever had. He had done so much for his town, his state and his country. He will be greatly missed by everybody. He was a close personal friend and his loss will be felt greatly." shock at the Senator's death again and not abut being ap day that the cancer in the senator's throat was so far Santa Fe Pt Cldy 34 Silver City (Airport) Clear 51 Socorro Pt Cldy 52 Truth or Consea.

Clear 56 pointed. "We surely lost an era of Mechem, Redman advanced and in such a posi- tradition in his passing," Mrs. Tucumcari Cloudy 31 Zuni Snow tion that it was not removed Fiorina said. OTHER STATES Alamosa Mechem himself has in the past found the subject of speculating about a possible Chavez successor distasteful and refused to comment, or al way the cobalt treatments had kept him alive. Without the treatments he would have died long ago," Lovelace said.

during the May 28, 1961, op Top Speculation Amariilo Atlanta eration. Bolack Informed Dr. Lovelace said Chavez lowed his staff to comment, Billings Chicago Cleveland Denver El PaJso Cloudy Cloudy Clear Clear Cloudy Cloudy 8now Clear Cloudy Cloudy Cloudy Cloudy Chavez entered the Love 38 27 3J 17 Tr. 31 27 56 46 )j 44 28 40 36 .02 40 38 27 19 .06 59 36 .01 32 22 .03 44 39 38 30 .19 39 37 68 47 77 72 32 28 was advised he must take cobalt treatments because Oi Chavez Death on the subject. "I am not a member of the ghoul organization and I think Flagstaff lace Clinic and was operated on May 28, 1961.

After a few weeks stay in the clinic he Fort Worth LIFE-LIKE COLOR TV surgery was impossible. Orand Junction Kansas City Los Angeles Chavez entered the Nation Clear FARMINGTON Gfl-Lt. Gov. Tom Bolack heard of U. S.

Miami Clear returned to Washington. There he entered the Nation al Institutes of Health in MinnekDolls Cloudy the ill-health of a man is not a basis of such thinking," Mechem said in an interview with United Press International last week. Sen. Dennis Chavez's death Washington, D. C.

shortly aft 48 34 Needles Pt Cldy 63 New York Rain 41 .50 al Institutes of Health for the cobalt treatments. 39 34 Tr today at a burned-out oil well Oklahoma City Rain Phoenix Clear St. Louis Cloudy in the Jicanlla area. er being released from the Lovelace Clinic in Albuquerque and spent many months He improved and took his 64 37 42 39 40 27 .05 68 52 48 36 Active in Party Salt Lake City Clear seat on the Senate floor. A 5300,000 fire destroyed a well belonging to Bolack and Anderson is a longtime ac receiving cobalt treatments.

San Pt Cldy Seattle Cloudy Washington. D. C. Cloudy His last visit to Albuquer 41 45 39 State Sen. Albert Greer Fri Lovelace said it was re LOCAL PATA tive supporter of the New Mexico Republican party.

Highest temperature tms date since day. Bolack has been on the markable that Chavez, then 1931, 70 In 19491 lowest this data since scene directing mopping up 1931. 17 195. Bundav nignest so at 73 years old, was able to sur Bursum, state GOP treasurer, also has given lengthy vive as long as he did be operations since the fire. Friends of Bolack said Gov 1 Sunday's lowest.

29 at a.m.; departure from normal for date 8 degrees: accumulated departure since first of month 48 degrees. que was a few weeks before the general election. His son, Dennis represented his father at many political functions and campaigned over the state for Democrat Jack Campbell in behalf of his service to the party. cause of the advanced condi Edwin L. Mechem sent word Prermitat on since first or mon m.

Besides Montoya. other deDartura from normal since first ol to Bolack by a messenger tion of the malignancy. Death No Surprise month. 20: total since Jan. 1 4 73; departure from normal since Jan.

1. 3.20. Balftrtv hiimlriltv 8 am. 85 ner cent: about the death. Democrats considered possibilities as candidates for senator when an election is held "The senator's death came Bolack, unreachable by tel II a.m.

96 per cent: 5 m. 76 per cent; Sunset today 4:5 DW sunrise Tues The senator and Dennis Jr. ephone, came to Regina, close are former Gov. John F. day 6 46 a.m.

as no surprise to us. He was a very sick man," Lovelace TRENT SW Tha TRENT to the fire, and called Me Nation a extremes Sunday: lowest at Simms Albuquerque; U.S. Rep. Tom Morris. Tucumcari, returned to Washington by plane the day after the election, Nov.

8. Cut bank. highest 85 at Orlando. Fla. CoBttaatd from A-l edly had top billing at one time but the recent election could well have changed all of this.

The loss by Mechem to Campbell makes him physically available for the Washington post. Taking the appointment would also clear the way for Lt. Gov. Bolack to become governor for a -o time a big boost should Bolack want to become a candidate two years hence. The appointment of a Republican, a virtual certainty, would give Republicans their first U.

S. senator from New Mexico since Bronson Cutting served. Cutting died in a 1935 plane crash and was succeeded by Chavez, a Democrat, Gets Vigorous Backing Reportedly Dr. Redman was being pushed vigorously by his supporters for the appointment. Charles DuTant, aide to Gov.

Mechem, said Mechem has been receiving floods of telegrams since news of Sen. Chavez' death. But he doesn't know nature or content of wires. Rep. Montoya has long been considered a prospect to succeed Senator Chavez eventually.

Dr. Redman's excellent showing lessened Montoya's cnances for a post, political observers said. The 37-year-old chem. The governor wasn't said. mi 1 3i a available so Bolack left word Mark 8 Series 213-G-23-M 265 sq.

In. picture 'He didn't realize how sick State Senate Majority Leader Weather Forecast In Chicago during a stop-j IS he would be in Farmington Fabian Chavez. Santa and to- COMMCNTTT FORECASTS (High! possibly Jack dsv. lows tonight In parentheses he was. He was told the seriousness of his condition but either he didn't believe it or today.

Bolack and Chavez were over, it was reported the sen-j ator started running a slight fever. He spent the night in' SAXT FE (36-14). FARMINGTOW J8- Campbell, Roswell. 18). GALLUP 3t-l.

GRANTS (38-14) Cloudy with occasional snow early to-1 didn't want to think about it, Campbell was mentioned as He wouldn't discuss it with a remote possibility because his Washington home and entered the Georgetown Hospital the next morning, Nov. 9. close personal friends and the lieutenant governor and Mrs. Bolack have sent a telegram of condolences to the Chavez family. he is expected to seek a sec anyone." day.

Snow flurries this afternoon, partly doudv tonight Colder tonight. SOCORRO 48-24) Partly clondy through tonight. Snow likely early today. Continued cold. TtClMCARI CLOV1S PORT ALES (B-U).

LAS VEGAS (M-12) Intermittent snow today. Heavy snow possible Lovelace also said Chavez ond two-year term as gover His temperature returned to had a cancer of the stomach nor in 1964. normal after he had been in 14 years ago but surgery ar Simms. who served as gov the hospital a few hours but Coollnud 'iFirearms Are Stolen rested the disease and he was ernor in 1955-56, was a key he was kept in the hospital considered cured. for a few days as a precau 24).

las cBtcTH (., truth or from lit Kesidence RCA VICTOR MARK 8 COLOR TV Contemporary Lowboy Power Boosted New Vista Cotor Chassis Glare-proof High Fidelity Color Tub Super-powerful "New Vista" Tuner Only Two Color Controls Make Tuning Easy' Two Speaker Realism 'The Only Color Television Set PERFORMANCE PROVED for 8 years in Homes Across the U.S.A." ABC RADIO TV, KIC. "We cut away hall his leader in Campbell successful primary nd general election campaigns this year. tionary measure. stomach," Lovelace said. Arthur Atherton, 2924 Wis with possible showers or ennw flurries this morning.

Fair this afternoon and evening Colder tonight. tTDOSO (31-12) Partly cloudy with Lovelace said the senator consin NE, Sunday reported a.lonl anew through tonight Colderjto poice his neighbor's home Morris led the Democratic ticket in the general election with a smashing victory over Republican Junio Lopez, for came to Albuquerque and complained of his throat hurting in 1961. After an exam cRLRTf-ARTF-siA (40-28). hobbs-at 2921 Wisconsin NE, had LOV1NGTON (46-Z5) Increasing ne-i through tonight. Occasional rain or i been broken into and SIX Iire- FALSE TEETH Slipping or Irritating? Don't mbmaad by Ioom falM snow.

Continued cold- ination it was determined sur mer Las Vegas mayor. gery was necessary but the This achievement boosted arms taken, records show. The residence, belonging to Clifford H. Stewart, who is out of town, was ransacked, po his chances as a prospect for senator, but Morris said when WOMEN GIVEN VOTE MONTE CARLO, Monaco The new Monaco constitution, which gives voting privileges to Monacoan women for the first time, will go topped the Republican ticket In the general election, poll "Alfctrqiiwfqye'i Oldest TV Dealer" WE SERVICE ALL MAKES tetb slipping, dropping or wobbling when you eat. talk or laugh, Jun apnukle a Uttla PASTEETH on your plates.

This pleasant powder girt a remarkable sense of added comfort and security by holding plate mora firmly. No gummy, gooey, pasty taste or feeling, ire alkaline (non-acid). Oat ASTESTH at any drug counter. he was chosen for the U. S.

House of Representatives in 1958 that he would not use the operation revealed the cancer so far advanced and in such a position it couldn't be removed, Lovelace said. "We didn't say anything about the malignancy at the Lovelace said, "but lice said, but no apparent damage was done. Taken were four rifles, a shotgun and a ing a slim maran over Gov 414 Fourth NW rnnr Mechem. and has al CH 2-1124 .22 caliber automatic revolv- into effect Dec. ,1, a spokes- position as a stepping stone to ready announced he will rt- Advertisement man for Prince Ranier saidjer, police said, the Senate.

tnaia active in politics. Ha is.