Description
This collection contains the papers of New Mexican Senator Albert B. Fall (1861-1944) consisting of letters and documents
related to the following subjects: Fall's terms of office as senator for New Mexico (1912-21) and secretary of the Interior
(1921-23), family affairs (1907-41); personal business (1912-23); politics and government (both in New Mexico and on a national
level); New Mexico (especially land, water, forest, and mineral questions); Mexico; reclamation projects (especially the Colorado
River Project and Elephant Butte Dam); Indian Affairs (particularly with the Apache, Navajo, and Pueblo tribes); and Alaska.
Background
Albert B. Fall (1861-1944), senator from New Mexico (1912-1921) and secretary of the Interior (1921-1923), came to the West
from his native Kentucky, entered the field of law, purchased a large cattle ranch, and entered New Mexico politics. He was
one of the state's first senators and chairman of the Senate Subcommittee Investigating Mexican Affairs. As secretary of the
Interior he concentrated his efforts on the development of the nation's resources, such as the controversy over Alaskan resources,
the transfer from the Forestry Bureau to the Interior Department, the building of Boulder Dam, and the leasing of the Elk
Hills (CA) and Teapot Dome (WY) Naval Oil Reserves. These oil leases ended his career and Fall, deemed guilty of having accepted
a bribe, was sentenced to prison and died in 1944.
Extent
45.45 Linear Feet
(109 boxes)
Restrictions
The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from or publish images of this material,
nor does it charge fees for such activities. The responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and
obtaining necessary permissions rests with the researcher.
Availability
Open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services Department. For more information, contact Reader
Services.