anaheim-gazette 1911-05-25

STIRRING INCIDENTS OF THE CONTEST STANTON INCORPORATION ELECTION CAUSED BITTERNESS Incorporators Early in Field Lining Up Votes for Their Side—Anonymous Circulars Spread Broadcast Attacking This City and Its Efforts to Secure Sewer Outlet—Circular Signed by Taxpayers Puts Forth Arguments Against Incorporation. Much bitterness manifested itself at Tuesday's incorporation election at Stanton, and for weeks past arguments for and against the proposed town have been characterized by acrimony and ill-feeling. The inclusion of many taxpayers against their will proved a source of much opposition to incorporation, and these men were not slow in making their objections known. Those favoring incorporation were early in the field persuading their neighbors that their only salvation lay in incorporation. The offer of a site for a sewer farm at Brookshurst by P. A. Stanton servde still further to complicate matters, and refusal of J. M. Gilbert to accept second payment for his ranch also gave promise of trouble to come. Each side to the controversy sent out literature in the form of circulars. Taxpayers opposing incorporation sent out the following: TO THE VOTERS OF THE PROPOSED CITY OF STANTON: On next Tuesday, May 23d, you will be called upon to vote upon the proposition as to whether or not the proposed City of Stanton, embracing an area of about four square miles, shall be organized as a municipal corporation. The undersigned residents and taxpayers of the proposed town wish tanks and other devices for the disposition of sewage, at a point that is to be included within the proposed City of Stanton, and whether or not such city then shall have the right either to prevent the accomplishment of such purpose of the City of Anaheim, or afterwards to abate it as a nuisance if accomplished, I would say: It seems that the locality in question is one suitable for the erection and maintenance of the proposed works and devices, and it is my opinion that its inclusion within the City of Stanton cannot make it condemnatory as a nuisance, unless in fact it shall constitute a nuisance. My understanding is that the sewage is to be taken care of in the most approved manner, and generally in such wise as that the prevalent causes of objection shall be eliminated. This I understand has been successfully accomplished by other towns in the county, and that works for the disposition of sewage have been maintained within fairly well populated areas, and in municipal corporations, and entirely without reasonable cause of objection. Therefore the proposed City of Stanton will have no authority to prevent the establishment of, or to condemn as maintained, the proposed improvement, unless it shall appear that the same comes within the definition of a preventable or abatable nuisance. And in order to fasten upon any enterprise the character of an objectionable nuisance, as a matter of law, the same must be injurious to health or indecent or offensive to the senses, or an obstruction to the free use of property, so as to interfere with the comfortable enjoyment of life or property. If in these respects the business or enterprise is of such character as that reasonably, in the nature of things, it cannot be relieved of objectionable qualities as just stated, then it may be abated; but the city will not be permitted to proceed in an arbitrary manner to condemn that as a nuisance which is not so, and the courts have the final rights to determine TO THE VOTERS OF THE PROPOSED CITY OF STANTON: On next Tuesday, May 23d, you will be called upon to vote upon the proposition as to whether or not the proposed City of Stanton, embracing an area of about four square miles, shall be organized as a municipal corporation. The undersigned residents and taxpayers of the proposed town wish to submit to the voters within its proposed boundaries a few pertinent reasons why we believe the proposition should be defeated, and respectfully request that you give the following your most careful consideration before going to the polls next Tuesday: In the first place it has never been contended that the area embraced within the proposed boundaries is in need of a municipal government; such a contention would be an absurdity. The only purpose advanced so far as we have any knowledge is to prevent the City of Anaheim from maintaining a sewer farm on what is known as the Gilbert Ranch in Section Nineen (19) in said proposed town. We are advised that the proposed sewer farm would be constructed and maintained under what is known as the septic tank system, the plans of which have been already adopted and approved by the State Board of Health as of the most modern and scientific construction. It is contended by those favoring incorporation that the sewer farm so maintained will constitute a public nuisance, and that the Board of Trustees of the proposed City would have authority, by the enactment of proper ordinances, to prevent its maintenance regardless of the fact that the same was not actually a nuisance. The highest legal authorities in the State have been consulted on the question involved. We are advised that the officials of the City of Anaheim have consulted Judge John D. Pope of Los Angeles, one of the most eminent lawyers of the State, and after a carfeul examination of the law touching the question, he has advised the officials of the City of Anaheim that the proposed City of Stanton would possess no such power, and could not enjoin or prevent the maintenance of the sewer farm unless the same was in fact a nuisance. With the permission of the officials of the City of Anaheim, we quote, in part, from Judge Pope's written opinion: "I believe that such an organization as a city of the sixth class for the purpose of thwarting the City of Anaheim in carrying out its plan for a necessary sewer system would not meet with favor in a court of equity; and that an ordinance adopted by the trustees of such a city to prohibit the use of vacant land as a sewer farm would, under the circumstances of the case, be null and void. "A great many cases have been decided by our supreme court on the matter of law, the same must be injurious to health or indecent or offensive to the senses, or an obstruction to the free use of property, so as to interfere with the comfortable enjoyment of life or property. If in these respects the business or enterprise is of such character as that reasonably, in the nature of things, it cannot be relieved of objectionable qualities as just stated, then it may be abated; but the city will not be permitted to proceed in an arbitrary manner to condemn that as a nuisance which is not so, and the courts have the final rights to determine whether or not any lawful business is in fact a nuisance—in other words, the matter is for the courts to decide, and not for the City of Stanton, whose action in this regard is always subject to judicial review. From my information I believe it is quite probable that the sewage may be disposed of, under ordinary methods, so as to render it unobjectionable, and especially so, having in view the locality which it is designed to select in this case. In other words, if the City of Anaheim resorts to modern methods of disposition of its sewage, in my opinion the City of Stanton cannot prevent the use by the City of Anaheim of the land under discussion, for the purpose of disposing of its sewage. Respectfully yours, (Signed) W. C. PETCHNER. It is perhaps needless to state that these opinions were obtained for the sole purpose of obtaining authoritative statements as to the legal status of the controversy from attorneys who are wholly disinterested in any contemplated litigation, or the outcome thereof. It would seem from the foregoing authorities that it is by no means certain that the proposed municipality would have authority to accomplish what is ostensibly the sole purpose for its existence. And taking the most favorable view, from the standpoint of the incorporators, the outcome of any litigation which would certainly follow incorporation is a matter of grave doubt. On the other hand, if the sewer farm, as it will be maintained, should in fact constitute a nuisance, the persons injured may enjoin its improper maintenance without the aid of a municipal corporation. The laws would not permit the City of Anaheim to maintain its sewer farm or septic tank in such manner as to impair the health of the community(whether the persons affected be many or few) nor would it be permitted to impair the comfortable enjoyment of property. The courts of law and equity are open to all and those who suffer by reason of any nuisance which may be maintained may secure ample protection therefrom; assuming, therefore, that the sewer farm would constitute a nuisance as serious as claimed by those favoring incorporation, it would affect but a small area of the eight square miles included in the proposed City of Stanton, and would not have a deleterious effect on any of its residents save those residing on adjacent property, who have am- Gentlemen: of the City of Anaheim, of address to you on feel is of vital importance to Anaheim, but residents of the Stanton. The referer is the elector 23rd instant at w determine whether Stanton shall be corporation. When to dictate to thashall cast their nor would an act your campaign be for us to pursue, on the Gilbert Reto locate a sewtank thereon, see the storm center, we feel justified in the question of said sewer farm which the same has. The imperatifor an outfall sin mind, and alarea in which a located is compoMany times why the outfall structured to thathat we would sfrom near easuch a project we have been b could not empty river, but our ee the grades are o impossible to o reach any point. In response to sewert farm couor near the E Hellman Ranch, the surface waso close to thawould not take tank. After a the topography oi the Anaheim, our ee the only practifall would be imrection, and tha of the Gilbert Recally consistedocument to o obvious reason. his name, we w e methods empire option have beus that tha fafore the voters the good name With the permission of the officials of the City of Anaheim, we quote, in part, from Judge Pope's written opinion: "I believe that such an organization as a city of the sixth class for the purpose of thwarting the City of Anaheim in carrying out its plan for a necessary sewer system would not meet with favor in a court of equity; and that an ordinance adopted by the trustees of such a city to prohibit the use of vacant land as a sewer farm would, under the circumstances of the case, be null and void. "A great many cases have been decided by our supreme court on the subject of the police power and the rights of the public to interfere with the use of private property. A man has a right to use his property in any way he sees fit, provided he does not create a nuisance thereby. "I assume that a sewer farm as you have planned it, with the septic tank system, will not create any bad odors outside of the limits of your property. If that is so, you could not be enjoined from maintaining the sewer farm. As already stated, many decisions have been rendered by the supreme court of the State bearing upon this question." Judge Pope then cites several decisions of our courts and discusses the question from a technical standpoint, and concludes as follows: "My conclusion is that you can maintain a sewer farm with a septic tank according to your present plans, despite any action of the people in organizing a city and the enactment of an ordinance for bidding a sewer farm within the city limits." While we, as laymen, had no reason or no right to question the soundness of Judge Pope's conclusions we desired to secure the opinion of some competent attorney which would be free from bias or interested in the outcome of the controversy, and Mr. H. C. Lawrence, one of the undersigned, secured the opinion of Mr. Wm. C. Petchner, an able and experienced member of the Los Angeles bar, which fully corroborates Judge Pope's opinion, and which is as follows: Los Angeles, Calif., April 21, '11. Mr. H. C. Lawrence, Los Alamitos, California. Dear Sir: Respecting the question, whether or not the City of Anaheim will have the right to locate septic The courts of law and equity are open to all and those who suffer by reason of any nuisance which may be maintained may secure ample protection therefrom; assuming, therefore, that the sewer farm would constitute a nuisance as serious as claimed by those favoring incorporation, it would affect but a small area of the eight square miles included in the proposed City of Stanton, and would not have a deleterious effect on any of its residents save those residing on adjacent property, who have ample remedies to prevent its maintenance. Is it, therefore, just to the taxpayers to burden them with what is sure to be an expensive and protracted litigation, the outcome of which is a matter of grave doubt, and the purpose of which would be to remedy a private grievance rather than a public wrong. Again we want to ask the taxpayer what he expects to derive from incorporation? The trustees of the new city would have the power to levy an annual tax up to Two Dollars ($2.00) for every One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) of the assessed value of your property. And in addition the money necessary to be raised to pay the principal and interest on any bonded indebtedness the city may incur. Those favoring incorporation have assured you nothing whatever in return for the increased taxes (save expensive litigation). And on the other hand, what will you lose? Not only the use of funds belonging to your road district for the purpose of maintaining your public highway and the general road fund of the county, but you will deprive yourself of several miles of the proposed county highway, the construction of which will cost from Eight Thousand to Ten Thousand Dollars per mile, and will enhance the valuation of the land within several miles of said proposed highway from twenty to fifty dollars per acre. The people of the proposed incorporation have been repeatedly assured by leaders of the movement that the establishment of the sewer farm and septic tank would result in a depreciation of the value of property for miles around, and would constitute a nuisance of the most grievous character. After having made such state- ANAHEIM GAZETTE ments repeatedly, we have been informed that one of the leading incorporators has offered to sell to the City of Anaheim one hundred acres in the "wash" south of Brookshurst, at a figure which, we are advised, was not acceptable to the city for purposes of a sewer farm. We only mention this to show the inconsistency of those favoring incorporation. In conclusion we wish to say that those opposing the incorporation have maintained no organization with which to fight the proposition, nor have we employed solicitors to canvass the district, nor incurred expense save the small amount incurred in publishing and distributing this pamphlet, but we appeal to the judgment, common sense and independence of the voters to defeat what we believe would be an expensive and unsatisfactory experiment. Dated this 17th day of May, 1911. Yours very truly, W. J. COLE, E. B. MURPHY, H. C. LAWRENCE, S. H. De WITT. A PERSONAL STATEMENT Members of City Trustees Issue Letter Over Their Own Signatures Replying to an anonymous circular issued by advocates of incorporation, attacking them and impugning their motives, Mayor Rust and his associates circulated the following personal statement: TO THE CITIZENS OF THE PROPOSED CITY OF STANTON: Gentlemen: The City Trustees of the City of Anaheim take the liberty of addressing this communication to you on a subject which we feel is of vital importance, not only to Anaheim, but all taxpayers and residents of the proposed City of Stanton. The matter to which we refer is the election to be held on the 23rd instant at which the voters will determine whether or not the City of Stanton shall become a municipal corporation. While we do not assume to dictate to the electors how they ing to the consummation of our system. The Gilbert Ranch was selected as a site for our sewer farm on the advice of Dr. W. Le Moyne Wills of Los Angeles, the Vice President of the State Board of Health, and of Mr. Ned Baker, its inspecting engineer, both gentlemen of the highest attainments in their respective professions, and both of whom pronounced the Gilbert ranch an ideal site for a sewer farm. It is our intention to construct an outfall sewer of salt-glazed vitrified pipe; while this character of sewer pipe is the most expensive, it was adopted by us, not only as the most durable, but because it is the only character of pipe which is insured against damage by roots of trees and other vegetation, and will insure land-owners adjacent to our right of way against any possible leakage, and will safely conduct all sewage to its destination. It is our purpose to install a septic tank of the most modern and scientific construction. The tank as shown in our plans, which will be followed in construction, is of practically the same character as the tank recently installed at Corona and at the National Soldiers' Home at Sawtelle, which is operating successfully. At the latter place the tank was installed by the Federal Government, within 350 feet of sleeping quarters of the veterans, and no offensive odors are emitted therefrom. An effort has been made to confuse the citizens of your district by calling attention to two instances where septic tanks are said to be offensive. In the case of the Pasadena sewer farm at Alhambra the tank is faulty in construction and has no sealed cover, being covered with loose planks which any intruder is at liberty to remove. A tank so constructed cannot but emit offensive odors, nor is it intended to do otherwise and by reason of its faulty construction the State Board of Health has notified the City of Pasadena that the defect must be remedied. Attention has been called to the SEWAGE PURIFICATION Remarkable Results Attained by Modern Filtration Methods As the population of cities and towns becomes more and more congested, the public health requires that some methods be adopted that will change the chemical composition of the sewage so that it will not putrefy when discharged into water-courses. In some places it is even necessary to disinfect the sewage so that all disease germs will be destroyed. Disinfection is demanded because of the possible pollution of water supplies and of shellfish beds. The methods adopted for sewage disinfection are described at length in a publication issued by the United States Geological Survey as Water-Supply Paper 229, entitled "The Disinfection of Sewage and Sewage Filter Effluents," by Earle B. Phelps. Sewage purification as practiced today is but the artificial and intensive application of the processes used everywhere by nature to reduce putrescible organic matter to inert organic matter. It is well known that if any organic matter such as garbage or a dead animal is left exposed upon the ground, it putrefies or rots for a considerable period, giving off nauseous odors in the mean time. After a while the rotting is complete, the odor disappears, and the material becomes mineral matter exclusively. The process is scientifically defined by saying that the organic matter has become oxidized, that is, oxygen has united with the organic matter to produce the desired result. The process of sewage purification is precisely the same except that in the purification work conditions are provided under which nature is assisted in her work and the result is accomplished in a much shorter space of time. The improvements made in methods of treating sewage have therefore not TO THE CITIZENS OF THE PROPOSED CITY OF STANTON: Gentlemen: The City Trustees of the City of Anaheim take the liberty of addressing this communication to you on a subject which we feel is of vital importance, not only to Anaheim, but all taxpayers and residents of the proposed City of Stanton. The matter to which we refer is the election to be held on the 23rd instant at which the voters will determine whether or not the City of Stanton shall become a municipal corporation. While we do not assume to dictate to the electors how they shall cast their ballots next Tuesday, nor would an active participation in your campaign be the proper course for us to pursue, yet, since our option on the Gilbert Ranch and our purpose to locate a sewer farm and septic tank thereon, seems to have become the storm center of the controversy; we feel justified in addressing you on the question of the establishment of said sewer farm and the manner in which the same will be maintained. The imperative need of the city for an outfall sewer must be borne in mind, and also the fact that the area in which a sewer farm could be located is comparatively limited. Many times we have been asked why the outfall could not be constructed to the ocean; in answer to that we would say that the distance from the nearest available point on the sea coast renders the cost of such a project prohibitive. Again, we have been asked if our outfall could not empty into the Santa Ana river, but our engineer reports that the grades are such that it would be impossible to carry the sewage in the southerly direction necessary to reach any point on the river. In response to the inquiry why our sewer farm could not be located on, or near the East boundary of the Hellman Ranch, we would say that the surface water in that locality is so close to the surface that soil would not take the water from the tank. After a careful examination of the topography and the character of the soil of the country surrounding Anaheim, our engineers reported that the only practicable outlet for an outfall would be in a South Westerly direction, and that the neighborhood of the Gilbert Ranch was the only locality possessing conditions which were ideal for the maintenance of a sewer farm, and for that reason we led to secure the option which we now hold on said property. An anonymous circular has been called to our attention in which the method adopted by the City of Anaheim in obtaining said option was subjected to adverse criticism, and, while we do not believe the voters of the district included in the boundaries of the proposed City of Stanton will seriously consider the contents of a document to which the author, for obvious reasons, failed to subscribe his name, we feel that since the methods employed in securing the option have been criticised, it is due us that the facts should be laid before the voters in order to vindicate the good name of Anaheim and her effort has been made to contact the citizens of your district by calling attention to two instances where septic tanks are said to be offensive. In the case of the Pasadena sewer farm at Alhambra the tank is faulty in construction and has no sealed cover, being covered with loose planks which any intruder is at liberty to remove. A tank so constructed cannot but emit offensive odors, nor is it intended to do otherwise and by reason of its faulty construction the State Board of Health has notified the City of Pasadena that the defect must be remedied. Attention has been called to the Santa Ana septic tank, which has also been criticised by the State Board of Health. In an official bulletin issued by that body in March, 1910, it is pointed out that the so-called septic tank in Santa Ana is not in fact a septic tank at all, but is merely a settling basin, for the reason that its construction is such that the septic process is imperfect. Dr. J. I. Clark, the city health officer of Santa Ana, in a letter dated May 16, 1911, and now in possession of the authors of this circular, states that the tank is too small for the volume of sewage from the city, not allowing the sewage sufficient time for septic action to take place. After calling attention to these two instances where septic tanks are admittedly of imperfect construction, the author of the circular stops without giving any cause or reason why said tanks are not a success and the reader is left to infer that, because two septic tanks have not succeeded in accomplishing the purpose for which they were designed, that, therefore, all septic tanks are failures and "outrages" foisted upon the hapless localities where they chance to be situated. He has artfully refrained from mentioning the tanks successfully operated at Sawtelle, San Bernardino, San Diego, Fresno, and our several State institutions. At Fresno the waste water is sold to neighboring ranchers and much rivalry exists as to who will be the successful bidder for the sewage. Profiling by the example of those cities which have experienced difficulties with their septic tanks, it is our purpose to construct one which will be sealed so that the emission of all offensive odors will be impossible. Nor will there be danger of a tank of too limited a capacity. The tank will be originally installed in two units, which would be ample to dispose of the sewage of a city much larger than Anaheim, and will be so constructed that additional units may be added, at small expense, and no interruption of septic process, as the needs of the city require increased facilities. In concluding this communication we would direct your attention to following opinions of experts on the question involved: In a communication from Dr. W. Le Moyne Willis, Vice President of the State Board of Health, dated the 13th day of May, 1911, he says: "For detailed information as to what Anaheim proposes to build, I refer you to Mr. Steward, City Enforcement." An effort has been made to contact the citizens of your district by calling attention to two instances where septic tanks are said to be offensive. In the case of the Pasadena sewer farm at Alhambra the tank is faulty in construction and has no sealed cover, being covered with loose planks which any intruder is at liberty to remove. A tank so constructed cannot but emit offensive odors, nor is it intended to do otherwise and by reason of its faulty construction the State Board of Health has notified the City of Pasadena that the defect must be remedied. Attention has been called to the Santa Ana septic tank, which has also been criticised by the State Board of Health. In an official bulletin issued by that body in March, 1910, it is pointed out that the so-called septic tank in Santa Ana is not in fact a septic tank at all, but is merely a settling basin, for the reason that its construction is such that the septic process is imperfect. Dr. J. I. Clark, the city health officer of Santa Ana, in a letter dated May 16, 1911, and now in possession of the authors of this circular, states that the tank is too small for the volume of sewage from the city, not allowing the sewage sufficient time for septic action to take place. After calling attention to these two instances where septic tanks are admittedly of imperfect construction, the author of the circular stops without giving any cause or reason why said tanks are not a success and the reader is left to infer that, because two septic tanks have not succeeded in accomplishing the purpose for which they were designed, that, therefore, all septic tanks are failures and "outrages" foisted upon hapless localities where they chance to be situated. He has artfully refrained from mentioning the tanks successfully operated at Sawtelle, San Bernardino, San Diego, Fresno, and our several State institutions. At Fresno the waste water is sold to neighboring ranchers and much rivalry exists as to who will be the successful bidder for the sewage. Profiling by the example of those cities which have experienced difficulties with their septic tanks, it is our purpose to construct one which will be sealed so that the emission of all offensive odors will be impossible. Nor will there be danger of a tank of too limited a capacity. The tank will be originally installed in two units, which would be ample to dispose of the sewage of a city much larger than Anaheim, and will be so constructed that additional units may be added, at small expense, and no interruption of septic process, as the needs of the city require increased facilities. In concluding this communication we would direct your attention to following opinions of experts on the question involved: In a communication from Dr. W. Le Moyne Willis, Vice President of the State Board of Health, dated the 13th day of May, 1911, he says: "For detailed information as to what Anaheim proposes to build, I refer you to Mr. Steward, City Enforcement." An effort has been made to contact the citizens of your district by calling attention to two instances where septic tanks are said to be offensive. In the case of the Pasadena sewer farm at Alhambra the tank is faulty in construction and has no sealed cover, being covered with loose planks which any intruder is at liberty to remove. A tank so constructed cannot but emit offensive odors, nor is it intended to do otherwise and by reason of its faulty constructionthe State Board of Health has notifiedtheCityofPasadenathatthedefectmustberemedied. Attention has been called totheSantaAnaseptictankwhichhasalsobeencriticisedbytheStateBoardofHealth.InanofficialbulletinissuedbythatbodyinMarch，1910.itispointedoutthattheso-calledseptictankinSantaAnaisnotinfactaseptictankatallbutismerelyasettlingbasin,forthereasonthatitsconstructionissuchthatthesepsitricprocessisimperfect. Dr.J.I.Clark,thecityhealthofficiarofSantaAna,sinabetterofthechiefobjectofsewagepurification—preventionofthefoulingofstreams—canbeattainedbysuchinvisiblechangesinthenatureoftheorganicmatter,neverthelessthedischargefromefficientsewage-disposalplantsmaybepermittedtoenterastreamwithoutfearofcausingaunsance.Theworkofpurificationalsoproceedsinthestreamitself.asitdoesinthesollandinthepurificationworks,tuneliketheoxidationiscomplete.Oxygenforthatpurposeissufficiently abundantinareasonablycleanstream,butifthestreamisoverloadedwithputresciblesewagetherewillnotbeoxygenenoughandthestreamwillbecomeputrid.Alltheputrescibleorganicmattershouldnotberemovedfromthesewagebythepurificationworkstheremainder_ifitisnottoolargeinamountwillbepurifiedinthestream.Sothepurificationofsewagehascometomeanprimarilythe removalofthe tendencytoputrefyandnotthetotaloxidationandremovalofitsorganicmatter. The report gives detailed descriptionsofdifferentmethodsadoptedfordisinfectingsewageandstatesthatofthedisinfectantswhichhavebeensufficientlyinvestigated，chloride-of-lime—intheformofbleachingpowderisthemosteconomicalandefficient. An anonymous circular has been called to our attention in which the method adopted by the City of Anaheim in obtaining said option was subjected to adverse criticism, and, while we do not believe the voters of the district included in the boundaries of the proposed City of Stanton will seriously consider the contents of a document to which the author, for obvious reasons, failed to subscribe his name, we feel that since the methods employed in securing the option have been criticised, it is due us that the facts should be laid before the voters in order to vindicate the good name of Anaheim and her officials. The circular recites that "by cleverly veiled negotiations the City of Anaheim had obtained an option upon the property of J. M. Gilbert, etc." The fact is that at the time the option on his ranch was obtained, no inquiry was made by Mr. Gilbert, or by any other person in his behalf, or at all, as to its intended use. And Mr. Gilbert in an interview on April 17, 1911, stated that he had not asked, nor had Mr. Mayhew stated the use to which the ranch was to be put, and the question was not alluded to either by seller or purchaser at any time pending the negotiations which consummated in our option. Those who have accused Mr. Mayhew and the City of Anaheim of "misrepresentations," "fraud," and "cleverly veiled negotiations" have failed to point out any particular in which the conduct of any of our officials or of Mr. Mayhew has been deserving of the censure which it has received. Since the anonymous communication referred to attempted to accuse our City of perpetuating what its unknown author is pleased to term an "outrage" in your midst, we feel justified in calling your attention to the plans of our proposed system. We note that the circular warns you: "Don't be misled by any statement of those who will be benefitted by making our community the dumping ground of all their sewage and filth." We do not ask you to rely upon the statements of the officials of Anaheim, but submit to your consideration the expert evidence of the highest medical and sanitary authorities in the State, with whom we have consulted, and by whom we have been and will be guided in every step lead- In concluding this communication we would direct your attention to the following opinions of experts on the question involved: In a communication from Dr. W. Le Moyne Willis, Vice President of the State Board of Health, dated the 13th day of May, 1911, he says: "For detailed information as to what Anaheim proposes to build, I refer you to Mr. Steward, City Engineer of Anaheim. He showed me his plans, and he told me they had been approved by other engineers. "I think that the results in operation of a sewer farm depends entirely on the proper construction of the plant; the thoroughness of destruction of the gross sewage and the proper handling and care of the products of putrefaction, etc., and the soil upon which such water is discharged, the plowing under and thorough cultivation of this soil, which is nature's best disinfectant. "I investigated the proposed sewer farm, its location and soil, and it seemed to me to be well adapted to the proposed use, and to be cut off by roads on three sides and a railroad on the fourth side, so that it would not interfere with but one or two neighbors." The California State Board of Health Bulletin for March, 1911, is devoted to the question of sewage disposal and gives much valuable information from sanitary engineers of the highest authority in the State. "Professor Hyde, Sanitary Engineer of the University of California, states in an article on 'Methods of Sewage Treatment,' that the septic tank process, together with broad irrigation or sewage farming gives the highest efficiency of any known method of sewage treatment. He says further: 'There can be no question but that in an arid or semi-arid district when soil conditions are suitable and when lands are available, the disposal of sewage by irrigation is the most logical method which can be employed. It would seem to be a criminal waste to discharge into streams or into the ocean when adjacent lands are suffering for lack of moisture. (Continued to Page Seven)" The report gives detailed descriptions of different methods adopted for disinfecting sewage and states that of the disinfectants which have been sufficiently investigated, chlorine—chloride of lime—in the form of bleaching powder is the most economical and efficient. The application of three parts per million of available chlorine in the form of bleaching powder to a trickling-filter effluent effects satisfactory disinfection. The removal of bacteria from the effluent averages over 95 per cent, and the cost of disinfection ranges from $1 to $1.50 per million gallons of sewage, depending chiefly on the size of the plant. Crude sewage may be disinfected by the application of five to ten parts per million of available chlorine, the amount depending on the character or the sewage, at a cost of $1.50 to $3.50 per million gallons. A copy of the report may be obtained on application to the Director of the Geological Survey, at Washington, D.C. LEFT LARGE ESTATE The will of John Pierre Daguerrethe El Toro rancher who died May 4 from injuries received when his team ran away near El Toro has been filed for probate. Daguerre left an estate valued at $58,760, made up of a one third interest in the LO F. Moulton Co., worth $150,000; cash $4160; four bonds of the San Joaquin Light and Power Co., $4000; note $600. The will was written on Jan. 31900, and was witnessed by M. J. Newmark and Morris Klein. L. F. Moulton and Kaspare Cohn are named as executors, to act without bonds. The entire estate is left to the widow, Eugenia Daguerre, who with her four children live at the Rancho Niguel El Toro. Joseph R. Scott of Los Angeles is attorney for the estate. All the news while it is news. The Gazette gives it first. IN LIFE'S MAY DAY AND YOUR PAY DAY, THEN PUT MONEY IN THE BANK YOU MIGHT NEED IT SOME DAY. YOU WILL GROW OLD; YOUR EARNING POWERS WILL FAIL. Few men are so prosperous to-day that they can afford to overlook this. Are you getting ready for old age? The day you start a bank account you will feel younger and happier. Try it. Begin now. Make OUR Bank YOUR Bank First National Bank of Anaheim Electric Power Is The Cheap Power Because: Cost of installation is less; labor for operating is saved; less floor space is required; friction and wear and tear are reduced to a minimum; repair bills are obviated; injury to building by vibration is eliminated; there is no loss in the shafting and pulleys; no energy lost in getting started; always ready; always reliable; service is always perfect. First National Bank of Anaheim Electric Power Is The Cheap Power Because: Cost of installation is less; labor for operating is saved; less floor space is required; friction and wear and tear are reduced to a minimum; repair bills are obviated; injury to building by vibration is eliminated; there is no loss in the shafting and pulleys; no energy lost in getting started; always ready; always reliable; service is always perfect. Southern California Edison Co. Nagel’s Hardware 136 E. Center St., Anaheim, Cal., handles everything in light and heavy Hardware, Garden Hose, Garden Tools, Poultry Wire, Screen Wire, Lawn Mowers, Oil Stoves, Gas Stoves, Plates and Ranges, Refrigerators, Ice Cream Freezers, Queensware, Glassware, Tinware, Graniteware, Cooking Utensils, and a full line of Paints and Oils. A. NAGEL 136 E. Center St., Anaheim, California SOMETHING NEW TO LOOK AT In our space of this paper. You are invited to call at our store and get a 50c Poultry Book and Sample Package of Conkey's Laying Tonic, Free. No matter whether you buy or not we want you to have a book. We also carry a full line of Hay, Grain, Wood, Coal, Poultry Supplies, Stock Foods, Etc. H. H. Gardner Co. 114 N. Los Angeles St. Anaheim, Cal. C. B. HALLEY, Manager. PHONES. HOME 1542 MAIN 91 W.L.KREUSCHER Plumbing, Steam and Gas W.L.KREUSCHER Plumbing, Steam and Gas Fitting Cornice and Skylights, Hot Air Furnaces Guttering of all descriptions. All Jobbing Work promptly attended to. 124 S. Los Angeles St. Anaheim, Cal. HOME 803; PACIFIC 2541. Anaheim Sanitarium Cor. Chartres and Hermine Sts. For the care of patients suffering from non-contagious diseases. School for nurses. Board of Directors S. Kraemer, President W. M. Wickett, Vice Pres't C.E. Holcomb, Secy-Treas J. L. Beebe H. A. Johnston Medical and Surgical Staff Dr. H. A. Johnston Dr. J. L. Beebe Dr. C. W. Harvey Dr. J. W. Utter Phone Main 1646 MISS. A. SLINGSLY, Supt.