anaheim-gazette 1917-11-29

TELEPHONE CASE ORDERED RE-OPENED RAILROAD COMMISSION GRANTS THE PETITION OF ORANGE COUNTY FOR A REHEARING LOS ANGELES COUNTY TOWNS ARE ALSO WAGING WAR AGAINST PROPOSED MERGER If the Bell Telephone Company had watched the war news during the past few weeks, it might have concluded that even forty years of preparation don't prove that the globe can be cleaned up without a scrap. Little old Orange county may prove to be the Belgium in this case and already the drive against the common pocketbook has been stopped, not at the Marne, but in the court of the California railroad commission. Advices have been received that Orange county is going to be given opportunity to put in evidence against the increase in the phone rates in this county. The date when testimony will be taken is indefinite. That the railroad commission has granted the petition of the committees from the Associated Chambers of Commerce for reopening of the case was learned when Commissioner Edgerton called Deputy District Attorney*Koepsel by long distance and asked him to inform the committee. 000. They will plant the entire tract in beans next year. A bale of long staple cotton was sold last week at Clarksville, Texas, for 65¢ a pound, breaking all records. This price was exclusive of seed, which was valued at $3 per bushel. The state council of defense recently undertook to market 100 carloads of potatoes for ranchers living near Alturas. The council fixed a price of 1½ cents a pound laid down at the depot at Alturas. A 40 acre field on the university farm at Davis yielded 10.3 tons per acre of alfalfa hay last year; and when the 1917 crop is all in it will total a little more than that, according to Dean H. E. Van Norman. The largest carload of sweet potatoes ever shipped from California left Livingston, Merced county, recently, bound for Portland. The load contained 600 crates, totaling in weight 74,000 pounds. Growers of sweet potatoes are receiving twice last year's price. Many of the imported Mexican laborers that had been employed in Los Angeles and Orange counties in harvesting the beet crop are returning to their homes in Mexico instead of going to the Imperial Valley and helping to harvest the cotton crop. The hop buyer is in the field for the 1918 crop yield, and in Mendocino county and adjoining counties contracts for next year's output are being signed up. The price announced is above that offered at the time hop picking began this season. H. O. Jacobsen, general manager of the Dodge Rice Co., declares that the company lost $60,000 by reason of the depredations of ducks. He estimates that at the average annual consumption of rice per capita the ducks on the Dodge plantation alone ate up the rice quota of 160,000 people. Fourth, statement itemized cost of planting interest on land machinery investment outlay in the form etc., and a small and hazards—should the Federal Food Board. Fifth, the Government in addition to the of beans bought in about 37,000,000 pts meet the demands for Sixth, no beans to the allies, for they can buy all they need churla and South than from the United States seventh the Food would do all within the railroads to meet the bankers to finish of the crop. In conclusion, Mr attention to the fact a few years ago food a personal affair—he chose and not the Government or a food is a national Government is about what and how In other words, fo be a mere material become a spiritual means of determination not democracy upon the earth. The price of beans is profit can the go rather how many who are fighting can be fed. To the question Turner of Union ply of beans is too able production, could be raised than demand of the all Merritt replied tha Orange county is going to be given opportunity to put in evidence against the increase in the phone rates in this county. The date when testimony will be taken is indefinite. That the railroad commission has granted the petition of the committees from the Associated Chambers of Commerce for reopening of the case was learned when Commissioner Edgerton called Deputy District Attorney*Koepsel by long distance and asked him to inform the committee. Edgerton suggested the hearing be held Tuesday, November 27. With laden out of town and City Attorney James of Orange and City Attorney Ames of Ananeim unable to attend the hearing on that date because of court cases, the date of the hearing was postponed for an indefinite date. Edgerton advised that he will return to the northern part of the state this week, and may be engaged there for two or three weeks. He later will advise local members of the committee when it will be convenient for him to return south and hold the hearing. "I don't believe the railroad commission will permit the company to disturb the present free toll area or the rates when it has heard the evidence we have accumulated for the introduction at the hearing," said City Attorney Garrett of Orange. "We have some very strong facts to present. We will oppose the merger only in an indirect way. We will fight hard to get a ruling from the commission to establish the rates after the merger has been in effect a year or two if the merger is granted. And I am pretty sure that if we get any kind of change in the rate, it will be down, instead of up." "With the elimination of part of the expense of the operation of the two companies now doing business in this county, I believe the county business can be done at a good profit under lower rates than those now in effect on the Sunset, and if there is such a saving the public is entitled to the benefit." And that is not all. The entire populace residing in Glendale, Tropico, Casa Verdugo, Lankersheim, Burbank, Eagle Rock, Montrose, La Canada and La Cresenta is aroused over the proposed merger of the San Fernando Valley Home Telephone company and the Bell because of the intimation that such a merger will result in the abolition of the free being signed up. The price announced is above that offered at the time hop picking began this season. H. O. Jacobsen, general manager of the Dodge Rice Co., declares that the company lost $60,000 by reason of the depredations of ducks. He estimates that at the average annual consumption of rice per capita the ducks on the Dodge plantation alone ate up the rice quota of 160,000 people. In an effort to increase the beet acreage of Tulare county, officials of sugar companies there have started solicitors for the purchase of beets on the basic price of $7.50 per ton, the contract to remain in force for two years. In case of a further rise in the federal government price of sugar, a bonus is to be paid. FOOD ADMINISTRATOR MEETS BEAN GROWERS Merritt Declares Government Has no Authority to Control Prices A very important meeting of the bean growers of San Joaquin valley was held at Stockton Saturday, November 17. The meeting was called for the purpose of bringing the bean growers of the San Joaquin valley into personal touch with the Food Administrator of California, Ralph P. Merritt. Farmers from all sections of the valley, representing 19,000 acres of beans in Sacramento, San Joaquin, Stanislaus and Merced counties, met in the forenoon to summarize the reports on the actual cost of bean production. Statements were read giving the actual cost of this year's bean crop by a number of farmers. As a typical example of these statements we give the following: "We carefully itemized," said Mr. Bigger, "all cost on No. 1 bean land, and it cost us at least a general average of $40 an acre under the most favorable circumstances. Rental was not allowed in the figures. No account was taken of the past losses due to frost, late rains, and other causes." Some instances showed that the actual cost on some farms was as high as $60 per acre. No satisfactory average could be determined, and the preliminary meeting adjourned after passing resolutions to be read at the afternoon meeting. The corps of English army since been supplying them ment for more than 3,000 500,000 toles, 12,000 fill and ballast can phone wire and a quantities of cons equipment. And that is not all. The entire populace residing in Glendale, Tropico, Casa Verdugo, Lankershelm, Burbank, Eagle Rock, Montrose, La Canada and La Cresenta is aroused over the proposed merger of the San Fernando Valley Home Telephone company and the Bell because of the intimation that such a merger will result in the abolition of the free phone service between these cities and Los Angeles. As a substitute to the free serve now enjoyed, the objectors to the merger say that a 10-cent rate for a three minute connection is a part of the merger plan. The application for the merger is now before the state railroad commission and as quickly as the civic organizations can meet, protests will be drawn up and forwarded to the railroad commission. FIELD CROPS According to the United States crop reporter, there were 9,000 acres planted to onions in California in 1917. Rice growers in the Glenn county district have appealed to the state horticultural commissioner to aid them in fighting water grass. Bean crops throughout the world are so enormous that Great Britain is figuring on sending millions of pounds every month to Belgium. Bean growers at Patterson are still pulling bean vines by hand, due to lack of help. Sled cutters are not used because the vines are so long, thick and full of pods. Thomas C. and Milton F. Daily of Oxnard have purchased 120 acres of bean land near Owensmouth, for $60,- Anaheim Gazette Fourth, statements showing the itemized cost of production—including interest on land and necessary machinery investment, the actual outlay in the form of labor, seed, etc., and a small amount for risks and hazards—should be presented to the Federal Food Administration Board. Fifth, the Government would need in addition to the 40,000,000 pounds of beans bought in October, last about 37,000,000 pounds more to meet the demands for the year. Sixth, no beans will be exported to the allies, for the reason that they can buy all they need from Manchuria and South America cheaper than from the United States. Seventh the Food Administration would do all within its power to get the railroads to move the crop and the bankers to finance the handling of the crop. In conclusion, Mr. Merritt, called attention to the fact that up until a few years ago food was considered a personal affair—one could eat what he chose and not be accountable to the Government or anyone else. Now, food is a national affair, and the Government is vitally concerned about what and how much one eats. In other words, food has ceased to be a mere material thing and has become a spiritual thing—a vital means of determining whether or not democracy shall still remain upon the earth. The problem of the price of beans is no longer what profit can the grower make, but rather how many people in France who are fighting our battles for us can be fed. To the question raised by George Turner of Union Island, If the supply of beans is too great for profitable production, what other crops could be raised that would meet the demand of the allied nations? Mr. Merritt replied that sugar beets and so far as Santa Ana is concerned. That is, he asked that enough territory be taken from Santa Ana and placed in one or more outside districts to reduce the representation of District No. 1 to 5000 registrants. Head's request brought no results. The request for a change in the boundary lines of No. 1 district was first made several weeks ago by the Santa Ana Chamber of Commerce, and was strongly backed up by Supervisor S. H. Finley of Santa Ana. The basis of the fight is that the law states that supervisorial lines shall be made to divide the county as nearly as possible into five districts about equal in population. Head asserted that Santa Ana is entitled to action under this law. At the meeting there was before the board a map and descriptions for a number of minor changes in supervisorial lines, none of them touching Santa Ana. These changes were made at the request of the county assessor in order to get school, judicial and supervisorial districts to conform in boundaries. The only change of consequence was the transfer of a part of the Silverado precinct from the Fifth to the Fourth Supervisorial district. When the motion was made to adopt the map and descriptions, with the minor changes, Supervisor Finley and Attorney Head urged that while the changes were being made a thorough revision of district lines so far as they concerned Santa Ana at least should be made. The motion carried with Finley voting no. The outside supervisors have contended that their districts are perfectly satisfied with the lines as they now are, and that an attempt to change the lines would stir up strife. While Attorney Head did not say that a mandamus action would be brought to compel the board of supervisors to take action, it is believed in the air. The United States is constructing a huge squadron of aeroplanes for that purpose. One of the most essential needs for this squadron is castor oil for lubricating the complex machinery of these planes. The tangan-tangan or castor plant, can be grown in all parts of the Philippines, and is hardy enough to thrive on land which cannot be used for the growing of ordinary crops. It matures quickly and the beans can be gathered for market within a few months after the seed is planted. It is an ideal crop for the Philippines, giving quick returns and finding a ready market. The oil from these beans is in great demand and the market is constantly increasing. One of the largest oil plants in the Philippines has already inaugurated a campaign for a greater cultivation of these plants, and has offered to furnish seed and buy all the beans that can be grown. This will be a help in educating the people regarding the cultivation and value of this easily grown crop. The government proposes to bring in a more productive seed than that grown in the islands and distribute them through the bureau of agriculture as a part of the food campaign. The United States needs one million gallons of the oil for its aeroplane squadron alone, and there is a waiting market for many millions more. The resident commissioners at Washington have issued an appeal to the Filipino people to help furnish the needed supply by a more extensive and intensive cultivation of the tangan-tangan plant throughout the islands, and in this way help win the war for democracy and the preservation of the rights of the weaker nations. MUST MAINTAIN FOREIGN TRADE upon the earth. The problem of the price of beans is no longer what profit can the grower make, but rather how many people in France who are fighting our battles for us can be fed. To the question raised by George Turner of Union Island, If the supply of beans is too great for profitable production, what other crops could be raised that would meet the demand of the allied nations? Mr. Merritt replied that sugar beets and wheat were the only crops more needed for export than beans, and that it was an individual matter as to which crop could be most profitably raised upon any particular farm. A lengthy discussion followed Mr. Merritt's address, with the result that Frank S. Boggs, president of the San Joaquin County Farm Bureau and chairman of the meeting, was instructed to select eight representative bean growers who would constitute a committee to gather accurate itemized data concerning the cost of growing beans on average land in the San Joaquin valley, the data to be gathered as soon as possible and placed in the hands of Mr. Merritt, who will present it to the Federal authorities at Washings ton. The general impression seemed to be that the meeting had greatly cleared up the confused situation that had obtained for several weeks past and that the growers now know what they can do to insure themselves a fair profit for this year's crop. Similar meetings should be held frequently. U. S. ENGINEERS IN FRENCH WAR THEATER The corps of Engineers of the American army since April has not only been supplying the engineer equipment for more than 1,000,000 men, but the members of the railway section have undertaken to transport and install and put in operation overseas a complete railway equipment. The cost of materials ordered to date is approximately $70,000,000, including some hundreds of locomotives more than 100,000 tons of steel rails, more than 3,000 complete turnouts, 500,000 toles, 12,000 freight cars, 600 fill and ballast cars, 600 miles of telephone wire and apparatus, and vast quantities of construction and repair equipment. revision of district lines so far as they concerned Santa Ana at least should be made. The motion carried with Finley voting no. The outside supervisors have contended that their districts are perfectly satisfied with the lines as they now are, and that an attempt to change the lines would stir up strife. While Attorney Head did not say that a mandamus action would be brought to compel the board of supervisors to take action, it is believed that he has been employed for that purpose. ASKS SUPERVISORS FOR COOPERATION Wants Delegates Appointed to Assist In Tri-Counties Flood Control Project Francis Cuttle, chairman for the Tri-Counties Reforestation committee, has sent a communication to the board of supervisors of this county asking for the fullest cooperation in the matter of eliminating the Santa Ana river floods. The counties concerned are San Bernardino, Riverside and Orange. Cuttle states that there were seventy representative men from the three counties at the recent meeting held in Rivrside and that a resolution, which he sent with his communication, was drawn up at that time. The resolution states that the committee hopes to form a permanent organization, and that the aid of the board of supervisors of every county concerned is asked. State and national support is sought also. In addition to the committee already organized, it is asked that twenty-five delegates be appointed by the county boards of supervisors, and that five of these delegates be present at every meeting of the committee. It is asked that each county engage the services of a consulting engineer, and that money be appropriated for the carrying out-of-the committee's plans in regard to the flood control. It is believed that the damages avoided will offset the expenses occurred, in a large degree. Since a recent state bill, concerning flood control, was lost, the committee, realizing the importance of the plan, desires that the boards, in each county secure the aid of the district attorneys who will assist the committee to prepare a new bill for ton have issued an appeal to the Filipino people to help furnish the needed supply by a more extensive and intensive cultivation of the tangan-tangan plant throughout the islands, and in this way help win the war for democracy and the preservation of the rights of the weaker nations. MUST MAINTAIN FOREIGN TRADE American industries must be stimulated to high production and America's foreign trade must develop to enable this country to use its full strength in winning the war, declares the National Foreign Trade Council in a report submitted to President Wilson. "Practically all the money in the allied portions of the world, and most of that held by neutrals, in time, can be made available for our war emergencies if our production constantly provides a proper basis for foreign trade," says the council. The report was prepared by Lewis E. Pierson, chairman of the board of directors of the Irving National Bank of New York. It will be submitted to the Ways and Means committee of the House of Representatives and to the Finance committee of the Senate. It was drawn up in an effort by the council to aid the government in the fixing of commodity prices and in the taxation of business profits. These problems are described by the council as perhaps the most serious and difficult the government has ever encountered in its relation to business interests. Asserting that in an ideal plan for price fixing and profit taxing, high production and not low prices should be the controlling consideration the report says: "If the final determination of the war is to be measured to any considerable extent by the relative economic power of the belligerents—and of course, it will be so measured—the existence of the things which money can buy will be of far greater importance than the possession of money itself." That leads up to the statement that most of the money in the allied and neutral world can be made available for our war emergencies by proper maintenance of foreign trade. For it is foreign trade, says the report, that "is the source from which the greater portion of our gold must come, and install and put in operation overseas a complete railway equipment. The cost of materials ordered to date is approximately $70,000,000, including some hundreds of locomotives more than 100,000 tons of steel rails, more than 3,000 complete turnouts, 500,000 toles, 12,000 freight cars, 600 fill and ballast cars, 600 miles of telephone wire and apparatus, and vast quantities of construction and repair equipment. A duty imposed upon the engineers has been the purchase of the necessary Engineer equipment for more than 1,000,000 men. Within 15 days after the Engineer corps, following the declaration of war, advertised for equipment, awards had been made covering the requirements for this vast force—a total of 8,700,000 articles, including among other items 5 miles of pontoon bridge. The engineers have also undertaken the work of organizing and equipping the troops for special services, such as lumber supply, road construction, sanitary construction, camouflage service, gas and flame service, mining work, and mapping. MAY BRING SUIT TO COMPEL RE-DISTRICTING Board Refuses to Grant Request for Change in Supervisorial Boundaries There is a strong indication that a mandamus action will be brought against the board of supervisors to compel it to take action toward redistricting the county for supervisorial districts. Last week Attorney H. C. Head, who stated that he represented business men of Santa Ana, asked the board of supervisors to re-district the county and that money be appropriated for the carrying out-of the committee's plans in regard to the flood control. It is believed that the damages avoided will offset the expenses occurred, in a large degree. Since a recent state bill, concerning flood control, was lost, the committee, realizing the importance of the plan, desires that the boards in each county secure the aid of the district attorneys who will assist the committee to prepare a new bill for this same cause. The forest service will be asked to cooperate with the food control committee, and the national, as well as state cooperation, is sought. CASTOR OIL FOR AIRCRAFT Commenting on the campaign being inaugurated in the Philippine Islands for the intensive cultivation of the castor bean with a view to supplying oil to the United States in its aeroplane construction program, the Manila Daily Bulletin says editorially: From the planting of tangan beans on a large scale in the Philippines to aiding in bringing about a victorious conclusion of this war for democracy and the preservation of the rights of the weak nations, may, at first sight, seem like a far cry; yet it is very probable that the people of these islands can do more toward bringing about such a desirable result by planting great quantities of these beans than by any other means within their power. It is an opportunity of rendering most valuable assistance to the American cause and at the same time adding greatly to the wealth and prosperity of the islands. There is a growing belief that the decisive battles of this war must be fought. The DAYTON Gold Medal BICYCLES The only wheel with a 5 year factory guarantee W. H. HOUTS Anaheim from which our national gold reserve will derive its greatest security. Foreign trade also provides the possibility of keeping the entire national energy at all times employed in profitable production by creating a foreign demand for products for which there would be no demand at home." 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