anaheim-gazette 1914-01-22

GRAND JURORS SUBMIT THEIR REPORT A LENGTHY DOCUMENT COMMEN-DATORY OF COUNTY AND CITY OFFICIALS SOME CHANGES RECOMMENDED IN SEHIFF'S OFFICE IN MATTER OF EXPENSE Commending most of the county officials and criticising the administration of but few, the Orange county grand jury turned in its report to Judges West and Thomas and was discharged. Concerning the sheriff's office, the grand jury says: "We recommend, whenever practicable, that all prisoners be transported by railroad instead of by automobile, which we think will be a saving to the county. We find in several particulars that this office is administered with an extravagance unwarranted by conditions and against the public interest." The grand jury did not go into details concerning the office, and part of the jury was opposed to the recommendation. It is said that a controversy over it caused the delay of the report for several days. The report advised the Board of Supervisors not to pass an ordinance prohibiting shooting on public roads. The jury stated that it was informed that a gun club, the Bolsa Chico, will not give a right of way for a road unless the shooting on roads is prohibited. Among the recommendations is one that the county physician, who is on salary, be required to attend to all indigent cases, and that no bills for services for indigents from any other physician be allowed. The grand jury states that some of the bills paid for labor and materials for good roads work are somewhat exorbitant and that the supervisors should investigate the financial end of the good roads work more closely. convenience of travel; also the road crossing of the P. E. railroad on the Olinda road should be straightened before the road is macadamized. We also recommend that the Board of Supervisors appropriate not less than $3,000 a year for improving and maintaining the County Park; and that a county road be opened running north and south passing the Yorba school house. Public Buildings We find that most of the school buildings in the city and country are in good condition, the exceptions being few. The school buildings of Loara and El Toro, Aliso, Westminster and Newhope are old, in poor condition, and in some instances inadequate, but in the first three mentioned districts we were informed that new buildings are expected soon. The Tustin school building we found in poor condition, and would recommend that one of the flues be removed, as it is in danger of falling down. We were told that in that district a new building is also expected. We wish to especially commend the school buildings of Yorba Linda, Olinda, Placentia and Garden Grove as being well kept. The high school and grammar school buildings of Orange, Anaheim, Fullerton, Huntington Beach and Santa Ana were found to be in excellent shape. We recommend that trustees of all schools see that the pupils are well drilled in the use of fire escapes, etc. We find the county jail to be in a clean and sanitary condition. County Assessor's Office We find that during the year the county assessor collected personal property taxes to the amount of $32,-294.74, the amount collected as personal property taxes for the prior year was $25,579.09, an increase of $6,-715.65. The poll taxes collected by the Assessor for the past year was $16,245, an increase over the previous year of $1,289. The total number of assessments made by the County Assessor for the past year was 17,273. The number of assessments for the previous year was 15,518. We find that in a great many cases the County Assessor has raised the valuation on property and increased the revenue of this county in a substantial way. During the year 1912 the assessed valuation of Orange county property, as taken from the County Auditor's books, was $44,525,688; for the year 1913 this same property was Right of way General expense General work Tourist auto Roadster auto Printing bonds Leases Gravel plant construction Testing cement Blue printing G. S. Benson & Sons Refund account Material not distributed Surveying supplies Roads Anaheim-Cypress Anaheim-Stanton Anaheim-Olive Bay City Brea Canyon Buena Park Commonwealth avenue Chapman avenue El Toro Garden Grove H. B. R. D. Sec. 1 H. B. R. D. Sec. 2 Laguna Los Alamitos Newport avenue Newport Beach Olinda Orangethorpe Riverside Riverside, Sec. 2 Talbert Talbert bridge Tustin-Orange Total Unexpended balance Total Total credits Gravel plant operation Total County Auditor's We find during the county has issued 17,002 ing an increase of 1,063 vious year. The aggr issued for school purposes being $852,822.00, an in 927.20 over the prior y gregate amount of warrerethe county purposes for were $588,155.36, an inc 537.00 over the previous greater amount of incre previous year is due to improvement and Coun County Clerk's We find that during County Clerk's fees an 683.75, an increase over The jury stated that it was not a gun club, the Bolsa Chico, will not give a right of way for a road unless the shooting on roads is prohibited. Among the recommendations is one that the county physician, who is on salary, be required to attend to all indigent cases, and that no bills for services for indigents from any other physician be allowed. The grand jury states that some of the bills paid for labor and materials for good roads work are somewhat exorbitant and that the supervisors should investigate the financial end of the good roads work more closely. The supervisors are asked not to pay the warrant of Samuel Browne, a Los Angeles detective, for $447 for services during the saloon fight at Anaheim, without full investigation. Browne's work was authorized by the district attorney's office. Without comment, the report states that Los Angeles county feeds its prisoners for 8 cents a meal, the Orange county poor farm for 6 cents and Orange county its prisoners for 12 cents. The books of all cities were found in good shape except those of the city of Stanton. We have examined the books and records of the Board of Supervisors, County Clerk, Auditor, District Attorney, Surveyor, Public Administrator, Sheriff, Recorder, Superintendent of Schools, Treasurer, Assessor, Tax Collector, and all Justices of the Peace and find them correct, except a few clerical errors that have been corrected, which shows the thorough efficiency of those in charge of said offices and their assistants and we found the officers always kind and willing to help facilitate the work in every way possible. Supervisors We found in looking over the warrants that the county has paid out a large sum of money for medical aid that in our opinion should have been done by the County Physician. With reference to the ordinance entitled, "An Ordinance Providing for the Appointment of a Health Officer and County Physician, to Protect and Preserve the Public Health, and Defining his duties as such Health Officer and County Physician and of Other Persons," we recommend that the said ordinance be so amended that the service for the treatment of indigents be exclusively in the hands of the County Health Officer, and that none thereof be delegated to other physicians, as we think his salary is sufficient to justify the attention of one man to this work without the assistance of others, which incurs the additional expense upon and above the salary of the County Health Officer. We approve the letting of a contract for drugs and medical supplies used by and for county work, and recommend the continuance of this system. We call attention to dangerous corners where hedges and windbreaks obstruct the passageway. We recommend that the Supervisors remedy this fault at once by trimming the trees and otherwise making the road safe to the public. The public has called attention to the Grand Jury relating to the refusal sessior for the past year was $16,245, an increase over the previous year of $1,289. The total number of assessments made by the County Assessor for the past year was 17,273. The number of assessments for the previous year was 15,518. We find that in a great many cases the County Assessor has raised the revenue of this county in a substantial way. During the year 1912 the assessed valuation of Orange county property, as taken from the County Auditor's books, was $44,525,688; for the year 1913 this same property was assessed at $48,185,593, showing an increase of $3,358,905. Tax Collector's Office We find the County Auditor has computed taxes and charged same against the Tax Collector, for the past year to the amount of $1,005,486.59. The total taxes which the Tax Collector was charged with for the previous year was $891,447.41. We find that $644.432.03 of the amount charged against the Tax Collector has been paid in to date. Highway Commissioners On examination of some of the vouchers paid by the County Treasurer against this office we found they had not been properly O. K.'d. We think that inasmuch as this office is paying out large sums of money, all warrants should be submitted to the proper officials and if found correct should have the name of some one of the highway commissioners. We find that some of the bills paid for labor and material were somewhat exhorbitant, and believe that the expense of this department could be very materially decreased. We are of the opinion that the Board of Supervisors should investigate the financial end of this department a little more closely. We recommend that the Commissioners publish monthly statements in the future for the benefit of taxpayers. We recommend that all roads in the future be completed as soon as concrete base will justify same. We make the following statement of Orange County Highway Commission as we found it up to December 1, 1913: In April, 1913, the County Auditor transferred from the Highway Improvement Fund to reimburse the Current Expense Fund for warrants drawn for expenses of the Highway Commission prior to the receipt of any highway improvement money. The actual amount of the sums drawn on warrants to April 1, 1913, as per statement of the County Auditor, was $4,751.59, thus leaving a credit to the Highway Improvement Fund of $112.91. Debits Auditor's transfer ... $ 4,864.50 Warrants Nos. 1 to 463... 107,324.78 Warrants Nos. 464 to 641... 33,797.13 Balance ... 1,152,961.50 Total ... $1,298,947.91 Credits Bond issue ... $1,270,000.00 Premium ... 28,829.00 Auditor's balance ... 112.91 Deposit, refund ... 6.00 Total ... $1,298,947.91 County Clerk's book We find that during County Clerk's fees and 683.75, an increase over year of $698.85. During were filed with the Clerk in the Superior Court criminal actions, an cases. County Recorder In comparing last year this year's work we find 1912 this office receive amount of $6,938.70. year 1913 fees amounts. We find that under this law this office is no efficient help to facilitate tailed by the greatly increasing volume of b County Treasure We have counted that found the same to a County Auditor's book volume of business pthe Treasurer's office increase that we recon room be enlarged. Drainage Disc We have examined following drainage d Talbert, Delhi, Newport Protection and find tices conducted gener pendage to other work th facilities and attu tions deserve. Looking to the wise of moneys we reco cleaning and repair woe be hereafter let by con We recommend that sized bills be attached as a part thereof,and bert district more can given to bills to asc rectness. Cities of th We find the books Santa Ana, Orange ton,Huntington Beach be in good condition cption of a few clerks were corrected when called to them. We have examined City of Stanton and uer's book balance would recommend th draw his fees by war treasurer deposit th separate account at th The Clerk's book shape,the former o all the warrants ent not balance with th We recommend th have the books exam ed. We recommen keep a-warrant record. County Sher We recommend,v able that all prisone by railroad instead others, which incurs the additional expense upon and above the salary of the County Health Officer. We approve the letting of a contract for drugs and medical supplies used by and for county work, and recommend the continuance of this system. We call attention to dangerous corners where hedges and windbreaks obstruct the passageway. We recommend that the Supervisors remedy this fault at once by trimming the trees and otherwise making the road safe to the public. The public has called attention to the Grand Jury relating to the refusal of a certain gun club in the western part of the county to grant the county a right of way for a road. They say they will not grant this request unless the Supervisors prohibit road shooting. We recommend that the Supervisors refuse the request of the gun club. We recommend in the future that all warrants that come under the jurisdiction of the district attorney be O. K'd by the district attorney. We recommend to the Board of Supervisors that a certain bill of $447.75 for detective services, incurred upon the authority of the district attorney in connection with a recent Anaheim election, be not allowed without full investigation. We suggest that some method of employment of county prisoners be devised. We find that Los Angeles county feeds its prisoners for 8 cents a meal; that the Orange county farm feeds its inmates for 6 cents a meal, while Orange county pays 12 cents a meal for its prisoners. Roads and Bridges We find the roads in general in good condition throughout all parts of the county, except where repairs or improvements are in progress. T.e Trabuco canyon road is in very bad shape and we are informed it is never worked except by the mining company. We recommend that the cut at the P. E. railroad crossing on the Pomona road at Brea be widened for safety and ANAHEIM GAZETTE Right of way ... 2,346.83 General expense ... 481.39 General work ... 3,082.13 Tourist auto ... 840.33 Roadster auto ... 749.41 Printing bonds ... 2,500.00 Leases ... 283.33 Gravel plant construction ... 12,503.38 Testing cement ... 270.51 Blue printing ... 145.21 G. S. Benson & Sons ... 394.45 Refund account ... 6.00 Material not distributed ... 160.00 Surveying supplies ... 1,003.78 Roads Anaheim-Cypress ... 125.15 Anaheim-Stanton ... 210.71 Anaheim-Olive ... 122.51 Bay City ... 589.50 Brea Canyon ... 259.93 Buena Park ... 292.73 Commonwealth avenue ... 144.22 Chapman avenue ... 91.88 El Toro ... 45.97 Garden Grove ... 443.84 H. B. R. D. Sec. 1 ... 37,222.73 H. B. R. D. Sec. 2 ... 17,605.65 Laguna ... 606.78 Los Alamitos ... 162.08 Newport avenue ... 168.96 Newport Beach ... 816.74 Olinda ... 655.32 Orangethorpe ... 25,799.07 Riverside ... 2,666.61 Riverside, Sec. 2 ... 6,102.18 Talbert ... 303.66 Talbert bridge ... 3,288.29 Tustin-Orange ... 12,604.81 Total $146,983.28 Unexpended balance $1,152,961.50 Total $1,299,944.78 Total credits $1,298,947.91 Gravel plant operation $996.87 Total $1,299,944.78 County Auditor's Office We find during the year that the county has issued 17,002 warrants, being an increase of 1,063 over the previous year. The aggregate amount issued for school purposes for the year being $852,822.00, an increase of $13,927.20 over the prior year. The aggregate amount of warrants issued for the county purposes for the past year were $588,155.36, an increase of $207,537.00 over the previous year. The greater amount of increase over the previous year is due to the Highway Improvement and County Farm. County Clerk's Office We find that during the year the County Clerk's fees amounted to $5,683.75, an increase over the previous year During the year there EL TORO SQUATTERS DECIDED AGAINST Department of the Interior Affirms Land Office Attorney H. J. Forgy, of Santa Ana, has received a copy of the decision of the Department of the Interior in the application of the El Toro squattors for a government survey of the 1,500 acres claimed by the squatters to be government land. The decision shows conclusively that the boundaries were fixed and a survey accepted in 1873. Attorneys Scarborough & Forgy represented the Irvine Company and L. F. Moulton in the contest. The decision was rendered by the first assistant secretary of the Department of the Interior at Washington on an appeal from the general land office. It reads as follows: "March 8, 1913, the Department affirmed the action of the Commissioner of the General Land Office in rejecting the homestead applications of James H. Sherman and others for certain lands in township 6 north, range 8 west, S. B. M., Los Angeles, California, land district, for the reason that the lands had not been surveyed and opened to homestead entry. The applicants had likewise filed applications for the survey or re-survey of the lands applied for. The Department in the decision referred to stated that the question of survey would be considered independently of the applications for entry. The lands applied for aggregate about 1,500 acres, 500 acres of which have been regarded as being a part of Rancho San Joaquin and about 1,000 acres of which have been considered as a part of the Rancho Alisos. "Said ranches were surveyed in 1858. In 1872 William P. Reynolds was commissioned to retrace the southern boundaries of these ranches, and to survey the adjacent public lands. He made returns, cutting off a considerable portion of the lands on the southeast of Rancho San Joaquin, and on the southwest of Rancho Alisos. His return was not accepted, and he was directed to again run the lines of the boundaries of said ranches, which he did in 1875, whereupon he added approximately 500 acres to San Joaquin and about 1,000 acres to Alisos over his first returns, which are the lands now applied for. He then surveyed the..." County Clerk's Office We find that during the year the County Clerk's fees amounted to $5,683.75, an increase over the previous year of $698.85. During the year there were filed with the Clerk 726 actions in the Superior Court, exclusive of criminal actions, an increase of 96 cases. County Recorder's Office In comparing last year's work with this year's work we find that during 1912 this office received fees to the amount of $6,938.70, and during the year 1913 fees amounting to $6,822.90. We find that under the present county law this office is not allowed sufficient help to facilitate the work entailed by the greatly increased and increasing volume of business. County Treasurer's Office We have counted the cash and have found the same to agree with the County Auditor's books. We find the volume of business passing through the Treasurer's office of so great an increase that we recommend the office room be enlarged. Drainage Districts We have examined the books of the following drainage districts: Bolsa, Talbert, Delhi, Newport, and Newbert Protection and find the business offices conducted generally as an appendage to other work and not with the facilities and attention these institutions deserve. Looking to the wisest expenditures of moneys we recommend that the cleaning and repair work of the ditches be hereafter let by contract. We recommend that hereafter itemized bills be attached to all warrants as a part thereof, and that in the Talbert district more careful scrutiny be given to bills to ascertain their correctness. Cities of the County We find the books of the cities of Santa Ana, Orange, Anaheim, Fullerton, Huntington Beach and Newport to be in good condition, with the exception of a few clerical errors which were corrected when attention was called to them. We have examined the books of the City of Stanton and find the Treasurer's book balanced to date. We would-recommend that the treasurer draw his fees by warrant, and that the treasurer deposit the city's money in a separate account at the bank. The Clerk's book was not in good shape, the former Clerk not having all the warrants entered, and it does not balance with the Treasurer's book. We recommend that the City Trustees have the books examined and balanced. We recommend that the Clerk keep a warrant record book. County Sheriff's Office We recommend, whenever practicable, that all prisoners be transported by railroad instead of by automobile, "Said ranches were surveyed in 1858. In 1872 William P. Reynolds was commissioned to retrace the southern boundaries of these ranches, and to survey the adjacent public lands. He made returns, cutting off a considerable portion of the lands on the southeast of Rancho San Joaquin, and on the southwest of Rancho Alisos. His return was not accepted, and he was directed to again run the lines of the boundaries of said ranches, which he did in 1875, whereupon he added approximately 500 acres to San Joaquin and about 1,000 acres to Alisos over his first returns, which are the lands now applied for. He then surveyed the adjacent public lands and they were platted and have been disposed of. "The lands involved have been considered as private lands for about 40 years. Relying upon the survey, the rancho claimants transferred portions of the lands to different persons, who have homes upon lands, and have improved the same by buildings and orchards of great value. All of the facts and circumstances in the case have been carefully considered, and the Department sees no sufficient reason for granting the applications for survey. The decision appealed from is accordingly affirmed." MARTIN'S LIFE VEST Glenn L. Martin, the Santa Ana aviator's latest addition to the mechanical devices for aerial navigation proved a huge success when it was tried out for the first time in public at Los Angeles. Martin calls it a "Life Vest." A little mite of feminine humanity was the real heroine of the event. She was "Tiny" Broadwick, a girl who has been often in the air, has made parachute drops many times, but this trip through the ether was enough to try the soul of any one not possessed of her limitless faith in the contrivance which Martin had fastened upon her back. The life-vest, or safety pack, or shock absorber, was given its first official test at Griffith Aviation Field, when this slip of a girl stood poised for a moment on a step at the side of a passenger carriage of the Martin biplane, looked down 1,000 feet at the earth below, and stepped out into space as lightly and unconcernedly as though she was alighting from a street car. Less than a minute later the girl landed with hardly a shock, on the earth, while a group of National Guard officers, aviation fans, newspaper men and others applauded. Glenn Martin risked the life of a human being to demonstrate that he has discovered a life preserver that he believes will cheat the air of a great majority of its victims, a device that would have saved the lives of a dozen aviators had it been discovered in time. It looks hazardous, but it is so sim- C. B. Berger Company sold the west end of the old Rhasler ranch northeast of town last week. G. Vessenberg and H. Venema, of Los Angeles, were the purchasers. The same company also sold a part of the C. P. Cooke ranch, northeast of town, to E. R. Werdin of the L. A. Paving Company last week. STRAYED STRAYED—Came to my premises, (the Browning ranch), on Tuesday, December 9th, a bay mare, the owner will please call, pay charges and take her away. W. H. Sherk. In the Superior Court Of the State of California, in and for the County of Orange. In the matter of the Estate of Minnie M. Bentz, Deceased. Order to show cause why order of sale of real estate should not be made. It is ordered, by the Court, that all persons interested in the estate of said deceased, appear before the said Superior Court on the 23rd day of January, 1914, at 10 o'clock A.M. of said day, at the Court room of said Superior Court, Department 1 thereof, in The Court House, in said County of Orange, State of California, to show cause why an order should not be granted to the administrator of said estate to sell so much of the real estate of said deceased as may be necessary. And that a copy of this order be published at least four successive weeks in Anaheim Gazette, a newspaper printed and published in said County of Orange. Z. B. WEST. Judge of the Superior Court. Dated December 22nd, 1913. (12-25-5) would recommend that the treasurer draw his fees by warrant, and that the treasurer deposit the city's money in a separate account at the bank. The Clerk's book was not in good shape, the former Clerk not having all the warrants entered, and it does not balance with the Treasurer's book. We recommend that the City Trustees have the books examined and balanced. We recommend that the Clerk keep a warrant record book. County Sheriff's Office We recommend, whenever practicable, that all prisoners be transported by railroad instead of by automobile, which we think will be a saving to the county. We find in several particulars that this office is administered with an extravagance unwarranted by conditions and against the public interest. Detention Home The Grand Jury visited the Detention Home and found nine inmates, and after inspecting the Home found everything in neat order and sanitary condition. GUY G. RICHARDS, Foreman, CHAS. P. PANN, Secretary. BIG WATER PROJECT A water project of considerable magnitude is being installed by James Irvine, owner of the 114,000-acre San Joaquin ranch. The source of water supply is artesian wells situated near the San Joaquin Gun Club. A 12-inch concrete tile pipe line is being laid from there to Corona del Mar and beyond, the route being along the bay at the foot of the bay cliff. The water supply is said to be principally for domestic purposes, although there is sufficient quantity for irrigation as well. Among the consumers of this water Balboa Island, it is said, will be the largest, the line passing that point and a reservoir is to be built on the hill back of Corona del Mar, which place will be also supplied with the San Joaquin water. A large force of men are at work on the project, and it is expected to be completed within a short time. ALFALFA and all other kinds of SEED AT Dickel's Takes All the Shivers From the Morning Shave The bathroom is warmed in almost no time and you shave in comfort if your home is equipped with a PERFECTION SMOKELESS OIL HEATER The heater is so light it may be easily carried to the dining room or living room or wherever needed. Easy to light and clean. So constructed that it can't smoke. Doesn't smell. Will last a life time. Finished in plain steel or blue enameled drums. For Best Results Use Pearl Oil Ask to see it at your dealers Standard Oil Company LOS ANGELES smell. Will last a life time. Finished in plain steel or blue enameled drums. For Best Results Use Pearl Oil Ask to see it at your dealers Standard Oil Company LOS ANGELES There is nothing so refreshing as a glass of Anaheim Beer Delivered to all parts of the city Home 1264——Phones:——Pacific 30 UNION BREWING CO. Harley-Davidson Motorcycles I WISH TO ANNOUNCE THAT I HAVE THE EXCLUSIVE SALE OF Harley-Davidson Motorcycles For Anaheim and vicinity. Prices from $215 to $300 Phone Orange 540 F. W. PARSONS Motorcycles For Anaheim and vicinity. Prices from $215 to $300 Phone Orange 540 F. W. PARSONS 146 S. Glassel St. ORANGE ...GAS IN TIN PAILS... If it were practicable for a housewife to come to our gas manufacturing works and buy a pail of gas, we would need no city franchise to deliver our product. We would not have to make a large investment in street mains, service pipes and meters, franchises and state taxes, nor would we have to employ a force to inspect and read the meters. Under these conditions we could sell GAS at a much lower price than we now sell GAS SERVICE. Were it possible to handle gas in the way that groceries and coal are handled, we could install several automobile expresses larger than the largest trucks in your city for a ridiculous fraction of the cost of our distributing system. But forced to accept certain "things as they are," we have to invest more money in our gas DISTRIBUTING equipment than for our MANUFACTURING apparatus. Sunset 166 PHONE home 614 Southern Counties Gas Co.