anaheim-gazette 1911-02-16

The Weekly Gazette. ESTABLISHED 1870 Henry Kuchel, Editor and Proprietor The Gazette is issued every Thursday morning. Entered at the Anaheim Postoffice as second-class matter. SUBSCRIPTION.....$1.50 Per Year Six Months.....$1.00 Three Months.....50 Cts. Has the Largest Circulation ELECTRIC LIGHTING — MUNICIPAL OR PRIVATE OWNERSHIP The city trustees have received from the Edison company, and have now under consideration, a proposition to furnish the municipality with electric energy at 3 1-2 cents per kilowatt, the same to be used during peak-load hours at the power-house, to meet which bonds were recently issued in the sum of $8500 for enlarging the plant. The Edison people stand ready to execute a contract running several years to furnish this city "juice" at this rate. The city's rate to consumers is at present 10 cents. Upon the face of it, the offer seems a reasonable one, and we shall have to do better with our municipal plant or in the end go over into the list of cities and towns now being served by privately owned plants, Anaheim's municipal lighting plant has proven itself a conspicuous success since its inception in 1894. Previous to that time our street lights were of the coal-oil lamp variety. In rainy weather, when the lamps were most needeld, they frequently remained unlighted, and the service was in other ways out of date, expensive and unsatisfactory. A privately owned concern at that time came forward with a proposition to light the city proper economy at the power-house, the city can furnish lights at 7 cents per kilowatt. Let us look for a moment on the other side of the question. If it were not for the many municipally owned lighting plants now operating in Southern California, does any one for a moment suppose the Edison company would come before the city trustees offering this unheard-of price for electric lights? And after its contract expires, in one, two, three or four years, if in the meantime the municipal plant be disposed of, what rates will they offer us—what will this philanthropic concern be doing to us then? To wipe out the municipal lighting plant now in operation here, which set the pace for many years, and whose success has been ever an encouragement to other cities to follow its example, is worth much to the Edison people. That company will shortly probably lose its most profitable consumer—the city of Los Angeles, which on completion of the Owens aqueduct, will go into the business of lighting its streets and houses by a municipally owned plant. It is reaching out for business. Either it must destroy municipal ownership, or it goes by the boards. Do we want it in Anaheim? We shall see. Either the municipally owned plant must meet its rate, or approximately so, or it will be a thing of the past. To admit that we cannot furnish juice except at something like three times the price offered by private ownership, is to confess failure. This will never do. An inherent defect of municipal ownership, if indeed it be a defect, is that such plants are for the most part small. Thus the local lighting system was created, first, to replace an obsolete street-lighting system, and second, to serve less than 100 commercial lights. Certainly not an engaging prospect for a privately owned company, except at figures giving it unheard-of profits and a bond upon REFORM POINT Bills are now before providing that the office of state, attorney general surer, controller, survive state printer be made same to be filled by these measures, if law-makers at Sacramento form of a constitution, and will be voted people at the next meeting. The measures are also governor, and while will be called out lating to them, it may as reasonably certain Never in the history of politics has such a draughtendment to the conscripted. That the proverb doubt. Previous to the new office of state pointive. Col. J. J. Torrion of the Los Angeles named as state printman, and was the led to the position made by the people, pointment as well as the office be made of same was incorporation, which was not the people. Now the reformers office back in together with a number of people will have not the naming of these officers. All will be hands of the governors orites will be named. The republican st year approved the T he legislature seem give it to voters w That our ballots are cumbersome, is true proposed measure in good government ed. It is aimed at served by privately owned plants, Anaheim's municipal lighting plant has proven itself a conspicuous success since its inception in 1894. Previous to that time our street lights were of the coal-oil lamp variety. In rainy weather, when the lamps were most needeld, they frequently remained unlighted, and the service was in other ways out of date, expensive and unsatisfactory. A privately owned concern at that time came forward with a proposition to light the city by electricity, to install a plant and do other things which sounded big in the ears of those who had to make their way through dimly-lighted or darkened streets, and the matter was taken under consideration by the authorities. A comparison of rates, however, showed that while the privately owned concern offered to install arc lamps upon the streets at $12.50 per month, the city could do the lighting for $6. Commercial charges were in the same proportion, and so the city decided to go into the business of furnishing itself with electric lighit. To be sure, the citizens did not expect the privately owned concern to operate their plant at anything but a fair profit upon their investment, but the disparity in these figures was too great, and so the municipal lighting plant was launched. The city, it should be said, had operated successfully for years a municipal water plant, which at all times gave entire satisfaction, even to the present moment, and which now, besides furnishing us with an abundance of pure fresh water for domestic use, assures us absolutely the best fire protection enjoyed by any town of this size in the state. These two arms of the municipal-service,the water and lighting plants have been operated successfully as a joint concern for all these years. People are loath to part with them, but each has grown to such proportions that a change in their management is imperative. If the Edison company can deliver juice at 3 1-2 cents, and the best the city can do is to furnish it at 10, there is something wrong, or a municipally owned lighting plant, so far as this city is concerned at least, is a failure. What are the facts? In the first place, as we have hitherto shown, the present rate of 10 cents to consumers covers the cost of street lighting, as well as all free lights furnished by the city, as, for instance, at the city hall, public library, high school and city jail. This is wrong. Consumers should be taxed for such light as they use, and an inherent defect of municipal ownership, if indeed it be a defect, is that such plants are for the most part small. Thus the local lighting-system was created, first, to replace an obsolete street-lighting system,and second, to serve less than 100 commercial lights. Certainly not an engaging prospect for a privately owned company, except at figures giving it unheard-of profits and a bond upon the future expansion of the city. Had it not been for municipal ownership, our streets would probably have remained lighted by coal oil lamps for years. Now the plant, having grown to large proportions, excites the culpidity of the monopolists in the business. While they offer us a rate of 3 1-2 cents, their rate at Santa Ana is 10, the same as our present local rate. Should a contract be entered into with them, for one, two, or four years, where will the city get off at the end of that time? Municipal ownership was good enough for us in 1894; it ought to be good enough for us today. But that reforms are due in the local system, is patent to all. Being a small concern as compared with the monopolistic company, we cannot meet its cut rates, perhaps, but we can do better with consumers. We submit they are entitled to better treatment. OPPOSED TO SUFFRAGE We are in receipt of a communication from the Southern California association opposed to woman suffrage, with a polite request for publication of the following reasons why the association is opposed to giving the gentler sex the franchise. We comply with pleasure. Here are the reasons for the faith that is in them: "First of all, for the oldest and shortest of reasons: 'Because man is man,and woman is woman. Nature has made their functions different, and no constitutional amendment can make them the same. 'Because the basis of government is force—its stability rests upon its physical power to enforce its laws; therefore it is inexpedient to give the vote to women. Immunity from service in executing the law would make most women irresponsible voters. 'Because the suffrage is not a question of right or of justice, but of policy and expediency; and if there is no question of right or of justice, there is no cause for womansuffrage. 'Because it is the demand of a mi-" The republican st year approved the "the legislature seem give it to voters w That our ballots are cumbersome, is true proposed measure in of good government ed. It is aimed at power, and this is political government." Along with the sl those two other "rive abolishment of and the non-partisan are high-sounding mean nothing. At have the privilege o party circle if they scratch their ticket may see fit to do t tisan judiciary measure our judges out of much. Candidates f be named in part at present, but their appear upon ballots respective political da party hack, getting by unholy trades, and ipulation of bosses of his party's column him; but a clean an right candidate for minated by his par-tion, is denied that will appear in a o names of all candidiary, without any ion following his na lot. A high-soundi doubt, but meaning. If El Presidente hands upon States Los Angeles, leader "insurrectos," he'll with him in the wo The per capita vted States as based sus figures is $34.44 sus of 1900 it was treasury department cording to the lat total amount of mo tion is $3,211,550,40125,586,720 a year s Los Angeles coul place among th e state, according to t ion act submitted week. Under th e ol city can do is to furnish it at 10, there is something wrong, or a municipally owned lighting plant, so far as this city is concerned at least, is a failure. What are the facts? In the first place, as we have hitherto shown, the present rate of 10 cents to consumers covers the cost of street lighting, as well as all free lights furnished by the city, as, for instance, at the city hall, public library, high school and city jail. This is wrong. Consumers should be taxed for such light as they use, and for nothing more. Street lighting should be paid for by the city. To assess this additional expense against the consumers who make this plant possible is outrageous. Since the inception of the plant, street lights have cost, we dare say, $35,000. The consumers have paid this. Every store in town which uses this light, every shop, every residence, is taxed for the support of this street-lighting fund. We say it is outrageous. Whether the plant be too expensively managed, as has been many times pointed out to us by citizens and taxpayers, we cannot say; but we lean to the opinion that greater economy in the plant is possible and should be insisted upon. Yet, despite these charges and disadvantages, the plant returned a net revenue last year of more than $5000. This is not according to the spirit and purpose of municipal ownership. To furnish these public utilities to consumers at cost, not to wring money from them to be turned into other departments of the city government—that is what municipal ownership is for. When the authorities transgress this rule, they err. We believe, with "Because the basis of government is force—its stability rests upon its physical power to enforce its laws; therefore it is inexpedient to give the vote to women. Immunity from service in executing the law would make most women irresponsible voters. "Because the suffrage is not a question of right or of justice, but of policy and expediency; and if there is no question of right or of justice, there is no cause for womansuffrage. "Because it is the demand of a minority of women, and other women protest against it. "Because it means simply doubling the vote, and especially the undesirable and corrupt vote of our large cities. "Because the great advance of women in the last century, moral, intellectual and economic, has been made without the vote; which goes to show that it is not needed for their further advancement along the same lines. "Because women now stand outside of politics, and therefore are free to appeal to any party in matters of education, charity and reform. "Because the ballot has not proved a cure-all for existing evils with men, and we find no reason to assume that it would be more effectual with women. "Because the actions of the English suffragettes show that the struggle of political life may degrade even educated and intelligent women. "Because the woman suffrage movement is a backward step in the progress of civilization, in that it seeks to efface natural differentiation of function, and to produce identity, instead of division of labor." REFORM POLITICS Bills are now before the legislature providing that the offices of secretary of state, attorney general, state treasurer, controller, surveyor-general and state printer be made appointive, the same to be filled by the governor. These measures, if approved by the law-makers at Sacramento, will take the form of a constitutional amendment, and will be voted upon by the people at the next general election. The measures are approved by the governor, and while a spirited fight will be called out in discussions relating to them, it may be set down as reasonably certain they will pass. Never in the history of California politics has such a drastic political amendment to the constitution been proposed. That the project is wise, we doubt. Previous to the new constitution, the office of state printer was appointive. Col. J. J. Ayers, then editor of the Los Angeles Express, was named as state printer by Gov. Stoneman, and was the last man appointed to the position. A demand was made by the people, before Ayer's appointment as well as thereafter, that the office be made elective, and the same was incorporated in the constitution, which was later adopted by the people. Now the reformers seek to place the office back in the appointive class together with a number of others. The people will have nothing to say about the naming of these important state officers. All will be thrown into the hands of the governor, and his favorites will be named to fill them. The republican state platform last year approved the "short ballot," and the legislature seems determined to give it to voters with a vengeance. That our ballots are unwieldy and cumbersome, is true; but that the proposed measure is in the interest of good government, is to be doubted. It is aimed at centralization of MORE FIRE HOSE NEEDED The burning of a packing-house at the Santa Fe depot on Sunday night again demonstrated the fact that the city is deficient in fire-fighting apparatus. Of course, the water pressure was superb, the pressure being applied at the power-house instantly. When the fire department reached the scene of the burning building, the roof of the cannery, across the railroad tracks, was ablaze. This was speedily extinguished by the one efficient line of hose, the other being rendered almost useless by an imperfect nozzle. That adjoining property was saved from destruction is due alike to the splendid water pressure and the heroic efforts of the department. It is up to the city trustees to properly equip the department with needed apparatus. Four new lines of hose should be purchased, equipped with proper nozzles and hose carts. We doubt not the city authorities will gladly purchase this apparatus. Again, all credit to the department for its great work. As at the Dauser fire some weeks ago, the boys demonstrated that they were fire fighters of grit and determination. They deserve well at the hands of the city fathers. IN AND ABOUT THE CITY Sam Kraemer was a business visitor in town yesterday from Placentia. Harold Moore of the Santa Fe was a visitor in town yesterday from Los Angeles. Wm. McLauchlin is out again after a ten-days illness, due to stomach trouble, which kept him indoors. Capt. Barr is spending the week with friends in town. He contemplates returning to Elsinore in a few days. Joseph Helmsen braved the threatening weather on Sunday and set out in his auto early in the morning for a tour of the highlands in the up- the naming of these important state officers. All will be thrown into the hands of the governor, and his favorites will be named to fill them. The republican state platform last year approved the "short ballot," and the legislature seems determined to give it to voters with a vengeance. That our ballots are unwieldly and cumbersome, is true; but that the proposed measure is in the interest of good government, is to be doubted. It is aimed at centralization of power, and this is the bane of our political government. Along with the short ballot comes those two other "reform" measures, the abolishment of the party circle, and the non-partisan judiciary. These are high-sounding measures, but they mean nothing. At present voters have the privilege of ignoring the party circle if they choose, and may scratch their ticket as often as they may see fit to do so. The non-partisan judiciary measure will not take our judges out of politics, not by much. Candidates for the bench will be named in partisan primaries, as at present, but their names will not appear upon ballots under their respective political designations. Thus a party hack, getting his nomination by unholy trades, alided by the manipulation of bosses, has the mantle of his party's column thrown about him; but a clean and capable and upright candidate for the judiciary, nominated by his party without opposition, is denied that right. His name will appear in a column containing names of all candidates for the judiciary, without any political designation following his name upon the ballot. A high-sounding phrase, no doubt, but meaningless. If El Presidente Diaz ever lays hands upon Statesman Bertholdt of Los Angeles, leader of the Mexicali "insurrectos," he'll have business with him in the woodshed. The per capita wealth of the United States as based upon the new census figures is $34.43. Under the census of 1900 it was computed by the treasury department as $35.10. According to the latest estimate, the total amount of money now in circulation is $3,211,550,465, as against $3,125,586,720 a year ago. Los Angeles county steps to first place among the counties of the state, according to the new classification act submitted to the senate this week. Under the old classification act Los Angeles was listed as "county of a visitor in town yesterday from Los Angeles. Wm. McLauchlin is out again after a ten-days illness, due to stomach trouble, which kept him indoors. Capt. Barr is spending the week with friends in town. He contemplates returning to Elsinore in a few days. Joseph Helmsen braved the threatening weather on Sunday and set out in his auto early in the morning for a tour of the highlands in the upper valley. Why not attend the Presbyterian church next Sunday if you have not planned to go to church somewhere else? There will be subjects of interest both morning and evening. While the forecast was for fair weather yesterday, rain again began falling. Tuesday night was cold and clear, and yesterday morning the mountains were covered with snow. John Bush forty years ago yesterday married the prettiest girl in Misouri. He and his family have for many years been residents of this city, where they are held in high esteem. Mrs. Wm. McLauchlan entertained the 500 Club at her residence on Broadway Tuesday afternoon. Mrs. Parker was awarded first prize, a hand-painted vase. Mrs. J. J. Schneider won the second prize, a silver bell. Gus Stern drove over from Fullerton on Tuesday to size up the ruins of the warehouse destroyed by fire the night before. The building was owned by his firm, and the loss amounts to $5000, partly covered by insurance. The first oranges to be packed in a Placentia packing house went through the grader at the Strain establishment yesterday. The fruit was from the orchard of Ben Kraemer and was first-class. Thirty hands are employed. The association packing-house will open in a few days, as well as the cabbage warehouse. Some miscreant on Monday evening demolished a number of cement piers constructed by Walter Hunter in the foundation for John Ziegler's new residence in the Deutsch's tract In consequence the piers had to be torn out and new concrete applied. Suspicion attaches to the guilty party, and an arrest may follow. Harold Cordes died on Monday afternoon of tuberculosis, of which he had been a sufferer for years. He was aged 21. He recently returned from the desert, where he went in a vain endeavor to recuperate his health. His parents succumbed to the malady, and a year ago a sister Los Angeles county steps to first place among the counties of the state, according to the new classification act submitted to the senate this week. Under the old classification act Los Angeles was listed as "county of the second class," San Francisco being placed at the head of the column. The last federal census, however, showed that Los Angeles county contains nearly 90,000 more population than her sister county. The two counties, therefore, exchange places in the classification list. The population of Anaheim, as given by the census bureau, is 2628. That of our sprightly neighbor Orange is 2920. The territorial area of this city is two and a quarter square miles. That of Orange is three and one-third square miles. That city has made and is making splendid growth, and we do not wish to minify its importance as a thriving and progressive town. At the same time it might be well to remember that Anaheim is territorially more than a square mile less in extent than is Orange. We have better lines and assortments of Disc and Spring-tooth harrows than can be found in any implement house in Los Angeles. Wickersheim Implement Co., Fullerton. Harold Cordes died on Monday afternoon of tuberculosis, of which he had been a sufferer for years. He was aged 21. He recently returned from the desert, where he went in a vain endeavor to recuperate his health. His parents succumbed to the malady, and a year ago a sister passed away. He accompanied the remains to Milwaukee, where interment was made in the family plat. He returned to this city to care for two young members of the family, only to waver and fall before the scourge. His body was embalmed and shipped to Milwaukee for interment. Their many friends will express regret at the death of this young man who gave every promise of developing into a good citizen. His tender solicitude for the younger members of the family after his parents' and sisters' deaths, called for praise from all. Few know the battles of life which presented themselves to him. May he rest in peace. Martha Miller, widow of James W. Miller and administratrix of his estate, on Tuesday of this week began suit for $25,000 damages against the Southern California Sugar Company, of Santa Ana. The damages are asked because of the death of Niller on August 11, 1910. Miller was foreman of the lime kiln of the sugar plant on South Main Street. While putting a belt on a pulley a revolving shaft caught in his clothing and he was whirled and thrown, from which he died. Thursday, February 16 5c HATS 95c and broken lines, new and latest shapes shades, values up to $4.50, only 95c. $9.00 broken lines in Suits, values up to $25.00, for only $9.00 notice of our Show Windows and will agree with us that we are ofthe biggest bargains of the season in Suits, Overcoats and Hats. UIS Z. KROEGER The Leader, Better Goods at Lower Prices W. Center St. - Anaheim, Cal. UIS Z. KROEGER The Leader, Better Goods at Lower Prices W. Center St. - Anaheim, Cal. Home 2132 TELEPHONES Pacific 2103 BUICK 1911 $900 F. O. B. Anaheim passenger $1050 F. O. B. Anaheim BUICK MODEL 32. Have more power, more speed, more durability than any other car selling within $200. A demonstration will convince you. H. KIRBY, Agent, Anaheim, Cal. HERE'S THE SHURON OK ke care of your eyes—it is the Make care of your eyes—it is the most valuable of your faculties. Answer the following question: Are you obliged to hold small objects further from the eye in order to see them distinctly? Do you place the light between the eyes and object? After reading or close work does the print run together and gets dark for a moment? If the above conditions exist all on me. I can relieve this condition. The "Uncle Josh" Columbia Records And a complete stock of all the other issues. Jos. Helmsen Godore Roberts Graduate Optometrist Center St. Anaheim, Cal. J. JANSS, M. D. Physician & Surgeon 523 W. Center St. Anaheim Office Hours, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 8 p.m. Both Phones