anaheim-gazette 1918-02-14

SUGAR REFINERS MAY PAY TAX ON PROFITS CHAIRMAN COGSWELL OF INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE HINTS AT SUCH AN ALTERNATIVE BEET GROWERS FROM VARIOUS SECTIONS TESTIFY BEFORE THE COMMISSION IN LOS ANGELES That the excess profits machinery may reach out this year and take from the beet sugar refiners any unreasonable profits which they may make as a result of contracting for beets at what the growers say is too low a price, was intimated at the sugar beet commission inquiry at Los Angeles by former State Senator Prescott Cogswell, chairman of the commission. Discussing the probable outcome of the investigation into the cost of producing sugar beet, Chairman Cogswell said that as soon as the hearing is closed the commission will endeavor to arrive at the cost of production, and will then suggest to the Food Administration a price for the 1918 crop of beets which, in its opinion, will provide for a reasonable profit for production. GOVERNMENT ISSUES FIRST POTASH PERMIT Prospecting on Alkaline Marsh In Inyo County to Begin Secretary of the Interior Lane, has issued a potash prospecting permit covering 2560 acres of alkaline marsh land in Inyo county, California. The permit is the first to be issued by the national government under a recently enacted law. It makes the first effort to use the United States public lands to break the ante-bellum German monopoly of the world's supply of potash. It also marks the end, so far as potash is concerned, of the policy of governmental opposition to all development. Notwithstanding the great opportunity of the last three years to break down German monopoly, the government has until now kept all ptash lands tied up under withdrawal orders. The department of the interior issued a statement, in connection with the permit, that the holder of this first permit expects to begin sinking prospect wells at once on the land. Under the new law, permits may be issued for the exploration for potash on tracts of land not to exceed 2560 acres. These permits run for two years, and if potash of commercial quality and quantity is discovered, the permittee will be given a patent for one-fourth of the land covered by his permit, and the remainder may be leased by the governmen to others. THE CITRUS MARKETS New high prices records in navel Discussing the probable outcome of the investigation into the cost of producing sugar beet, Chairman Cogswell said that as soon as the hearing is closed the commission will endeavor to arrive at the cost of production, and will then suggest to the Food Administration a price for the 1918 crop of beets which, in its opinion, will provide for a reasonable profit for production. "The commission is authorized to suggest what it considers a fair profit in addition to the average cost of production, but it cannot command the sugar refiners to pay the price that may be suggested, and neither can the Food Administration," said Chairman Cogswell. "The arbitrary fixing of such a price would have to be done by special act of congress, as in the case of fixing the price of this year's wheat. If, however, the refiners insist upon taking all the profits this year the government can exact from them an excess profits tax which, I am led to surmise, is about the thing that will be done in case the beet growers actually are deprived of a reasonable profit this year." Preponderance of evidence given at the inquiry showed that the average grower could not make a profit on his beets at the price previously paid, and many lost money. On the other hand some growers were ahead at the end of the season, a great deal depending upon the quality of the land. At the close of the morning session Saturday the friction that has been perceptible beneath the surface among the growers, was manifest. In planning the procedure with witnesses during the remainder of the investigation, Captain Fredericks, representing the refiners, said: "We have been hearing all this week the hard-luck tales of beet growers. We have heard from the unsuccessful ones. Now let's have some who have made a success of beet growing, and we can produce a host of them. Any business has its successes and its failures. So far, it has been programmed that we hear the failures. The other side can produce lots of men who will show that on the right lands they have made money in beets. If the commission will permit, I will present the names of twenty-five men who should be called before this body as experienced in the culture of sugar beets." New high prices records in navel oranges are being made this season because of the scarcity of navels combined with the high purchasing power of the general public. A line of 176 sizes from Central California sold at New York this week to average $7.10 per box. The increase in prices is a large factor in off-setting the loss sustained by the very short crop. The benefits are not evenly distributed among growers because some ranches suffered heavier than others. Of the industry as a whole it may be stated that while the crop damage has amounted to fully 80 per cent in volume the actual monetary loss to the growers, in lump, has probably not been over 25 per cent. During the present week the Eastern weather conditions have changed for the better and this assisted the solution of the traffic congestion problem. The citrus fruits are again moving along to destination. We cannot resist the observation that the black clouds are not without silver linings. For instance, assume we were shipping about 1000 cars of oranges as we have usually done at this time of year, instead of only 239 cars, which we actually did ship last week; what would have been the loss to the industry and the state through the traffic congestion. It would be easy to calculate red-ink deficiency on freight bills on the top of and in addition to the cost of packing and preparing at this end. The f. o. b. market is on a basis of $4.50 to $4.75 per box, standard size. Cars running only 15 per cent 126s and larger bringing a premium and range from $4 to $5.15 per box f. o. b. the cars. Large sizes are heavily discounted. There is but little cash business being done because growers are sitting tight on account of the present high prices and prospects. Shipments from Orange county are about wound up on navel oranges a total of about 100 cars constituting their season's output. In every district the Valencias two years, and if potash of commercial quality and quantity is discovered, the permittee will be given a patent for one-fourth of the land covered by his permit, and the remainder may be leased by the governmen to others. THE CITRUS MARKETS Another way we produced about 4% cultivated land in the United States 1-3 of the average. The part of Southern California poultry is true When it is coated fruits are due to of the state and is produced in real perspective of this section. In 1917 there were plenty of freight and pensions had been. Another way we produced about 4% cultivated land in the United States 1-3 of the average. The part of Southern California poultry is true When it is coated fruits are due to of the state and is produced in real perspective of this section. In 1917 there were plenty of freight and pensions had been. Almonds, 98 per cent; olive 93 per cent; pecots, 97 per cent; pears, 27 per cent. Only in 5 counties does California some who have made a success of beet growing, and we can produce a host of them. Any business has its successes and its failures. So far, it has been programmed that we hear the failures. The other side can produce lots of men who will show that on the right lands they have made money in beets. If the commission will permit, I will present the names of twenty-five men who should be called before this body as experienced in the culture of sugar beets." D. E. Blickmore of Chino testified that he lost $1307 in growing beets on 270 acres of Chino soil last year, and now he hopes to get a raise in the contract price for 1918, and he will plant fifty acres this season. He admitted that he had put part of his crop in poor land and that had brought about some of his loss in 1917. He figured up that his cost of production per acre was $82.91, reckoning in the overhead expenses, such as taxes, rental of land, cost of stock and interest on his investment. He got per acre for his beets $76.84. On some of his land he made a profit of $16 an acre. His average of tonnage an acre was six tons. R. S. Valle, an agricultural expert connected with the State agricultural experimental station at Riverside, testified that he had gone into the average cost an acre of sugar beets lately and that he found that most of the money made by beet growers was on soil that was not worth much for other crops and was therefore not so highly valued as other acreage. D. F. Johnston of Westminister testified that he had grown beets for years and had lost money during the past three years. His cost of cultivating an acre is $71.34, and the product sold at the Anaheim factory at an average of $68.34 an acre... HEAVY INCREASE IN SOUTHLAND PRODUCTS LOS ANGELES IS THE FOREMOST AGRICULTURAL COUNTY IN THE UNITED STATES NEARLY SEVEN HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS IS VALUE OF OUR CROPS LAST YEAR Los Angeles county, credited by the government census of 1910 with leading all counties in the United States in soil production, is setting a new pace. Enormous gains were recorded last year and indications are that the record figures of 1917 will be far exceeded this year. Mention of soil production in millions conveys little to the average citizen, unless there is a given point to reckon from. When it is considered that Los Angeles county leads all counties in the country, the government estimates on California's production are of interest. Accepting the government estimate of $10,000,000,000 as the total value of all crops produced in the United States, California is credited with 6.7 per cent with its $677,338,600 proportion. The state's percentage does not seem large until it is considered that 6.7 per cent was raised in a state having but 3 per cent of the population; value last year, $9,055,150. Cauliflower, production 1916, 1,000 crates; last year, 1500 crates; values last year, $825,000. Celery, production 1916, 1000 crates; last year, 700 crates; value last year, $297,500. Citrus fruits, production 1916, 38,887 crates; last year, 47,736 crates; values last year, $33,638,000. Eggs, production 1916, 360,000 cases; last year, 328,500 cases; values last year, $3,449,250. Fish, canned, production 1916, 367,000 cases; last year, 1,160,000 cases; values last year, $5,660,000. Fruits, dried, production 1916, 9600 tons; last year, 11,500 tons; values last year, $1,850,000. Honey, production 1916, 7,430,000 pounds; last year, 11,250,000 pounds; values last year, $1,125,000. Lettuce production 1916, 2000 crates; last year, 2375 crates; values last year, $700,000. Melons-production 1916, 4726 crates; last year, 5500 crates; values last year, $3,025,000. Nuts, production last year, 15,000 tons; value last year, $4,500,000. Olive oil, production 1916, 100,000 gallons; last year, 9080 gallons; values last year, $31,780. Olives, pickled, production 1916, 1,016,470 gallons; last year, 326,880 gallons; values last year, $326,880. Soft cured olives production last year, 230,000 pounds; value last year, $28,750. Potatoes, production 1916, 2000 crates; last year, 3150 crates; values last year, $1,700,000. Poultry, production 1916, 3,460,000; last year, 3,400,000; values last year, $3,400,000. Sugar, production last year, 2,197,-620 bags; value last year, $16，383，340. Tomatoes., production 1916，1，000 Investigation committee that instead of taxing bachelors he would reverse the process because he did not believe it is a good thing to encourage matrimony. He agreed with the theory of Malthus that population has atendency to increase faster than the means to support it,and said that the war in Europe is being fought because the human race has deliberately refused to learn the lessons that Malthus taught,a century ago. This professor,s like many other professors,says things that are not so.The doctrine of Malthus.as to overpopulation.is erroneous.It is true one may favor restriction of population as long as we have wars.overcrowded cities,sweat shops unsanitary factories,and bread lines,bbut these things are not necessary. There is plenty of land on the earth for ten times the present population—if it were fairly distributed intensively cultivated,and if people would eat right.The earth will.in course of time.become overpopulated.If many people continue to live largely on cattle.Even in grain,the end might be in sight.before many centuries.There are,however.plenty of other crops that would keep the human race going for many thousand of years. The German government recently issued a circular urging a decrease in the raising of animals,because more than half the food value is lost in that way.Cattle raising is the most wasteful form of feeding human beings.Grain comes next.Here is the population per square mile various crops will support: Wheat，1860； corn，3025； legumes and peanuts，2397； potatoes，6000； peaches，3500； apples，8727； walnuts，11，636； bananas，41，89O. And cattle on a range—only fifty- In naval season levels commencing power crop distributed to ranches. Of the state statedage has not in volvess to theably not the East changedlisted theotion probere again. Weation that withoutsilasume wears oforame at thisonly 239 ship lastin the loss through wouldbe deficiencyof and in taking and basis of standard size. cent 126s ulm and box f.o.b. heavily dis. business are sitethe present. Shipare abouta totalting their Valencias all counties in the country, the government estimates on California's production are of interest. Accepting the government estimate of $10,000,00...000 as the total value of all crops produced in the United States, California is credited with 6.7 per cent, with its $677,338,600 proportion. The state's percentage does not seem large until it is considered that 6.7 per cent was raised in a state having but 3 per cent of the population, 2 per cent of the farmers and 1.3 per cent of the total land under cultivation. In other words, California produced about 4½ times as much on its cultivated land as the average over the United States. She did this with 1-3 of the average number of farmers. The part of Los Angeles county and Southern California in the state production is tremendously important. When it is considered that citrus fruits are the most valuable product of the state and that 3-4 of this crop is produced in Southern California, the real perspective of the richness of this section can be had. In 1917 the growers-oforanges and lemons were paid $47,675,000 after all the freight and eastern selling expenses had been paid. Another wealth-producing crop of the country of which Southern California raises the lion's share is the humble bean. If California should quit raising beans without notice, the 2,000,000 men in the United States army and navy service would be forced to do without their main article of diet. California raises 51 per cent of the 15,701,000 bushels of beans grown annually in the United States. Southern California also produces the larger part of the fig crop. The Los Angeles resident, accustomed to enjoying ripe figs from the trees in his back yard, probably does not realize that he is living in the community that produces 100 per cent of the 13,120 pounds of figs grown commercially, annually, in the United States. With 1 3-10 of the total land under cultivation in the United States, here are a few of the percentages of the total crop raised in California: Almonds, 98 per cent; walnuts, 96 per cent; olives, 95 per cent; raisins, 93 per cent; prunes, 93 per cent; apricots, 97 per cent; peaches, 31 per cent; pears, 27 per cent; onions, 29 per cent. Only in 5 out of 29 leading crops does California fail to produce its availables; value last year, $326,880. Soft cured olives, production last year, 230,000 pounds, value last year,$28,750. Potatoes, production 1916, 2000 crates, last year, 3150 crates; value last year,$1,700,000. Poultry, production 1916, 3,460,000; last year, 3,400,000; value last year,$3,400,000. Sugar, production last year, 2,197,-620 bags; value last year,$16,383,340. Tomatoes., production 1916, 1000 crates; last year, 1500 crates; value last year,$850,000. Wines and brandy, production 1916, 6,301,906 gallons; last year, 4,500,000 gallons; value last year,$2,250,000. KEYES MUST HANG FOR ATROCIOUS CRIME Jury Decides His Fate After a Forty Minute Session After deliberating less than forty minutes, the Jury Monday found Edward S. Keyes guilty of murder in the first degree for the slaying of 11-year-old Leonard Herwick early last December. The verdict was returned without recommendation, giving Judge West no alternative but to sentence Keyes to be hanged. As the foreman of the jury, O. H. Burke, started to read the verdict. Keyes finished rolling a cigarette. As the foreman pronounced the words that meant Keyes's death Keyes gave the edge of the paper a vigorous licked and grinned. "I don't give a damn; I expected it," he said to Sheriff C. E. Jackson and Under-sheriff J. H. Iman. The biggest crowd ever in attendance at a criminal trial in Orange county jammed the courtroom as arguments were made by District Attorney L. A. West and Deputy A. E. Koepsel, for the prosecution, and Attorney Ingle Carpenter for the defense. The defense of insanity was fought by the District Attorney who said that Keyes was afflicted with moral degeneration, but not with mental deterioration. When the jury came in the people in the courtroom rose to their feet. Many stood on chairs and tables that they might watch the jury and the effect of the verdict upon the prisoner. Throughout the trial Keyes had slouched in his chair as though sleeping. When the jury went out he brightened up and discussed the probable verdict. "They'll hang me." CONJESTION IN FRISCO DELAYING SHIPMENT Both Exports and Imports Tide up by Tradte of Transportation Shipment of California products both manufactured and agricultural, by land and by sea, is a question of paramount importance to all California today. So great has become the congestion on transcontinental shipments at San Francisco that it became necessary to devote a week to the work of clearing the local freight yards. The export situation in the last year has become so acute that a survey is now being made of the conditions prevailing in San Francisco harbor. The San Francisco Chamber of Commerce has undertaken this work, and for the past month has been holding three meetings a week, listening to the statements of the shipping men, steamship companies and merchants engaged in the business of exporting and importing to and from the Orient. This investigation is being conducted comprehensively, and with great care, with a view ascertaining what improvements in the water front of San Francisco can be made to facilitate the speedy and economical handling of this foreign commerce. So great have become the shipments to San Francisco from the interior sections of the state that the survey will in all probability recommend additional facilities in the way With 1-3-10 of the total land under cultivation in the United States, here are a few of the percentages of the total crop raised in California: Almonds, 98 per cent; walnuts, 96 per cent; olives, 95 per cent; raisins, 93 per cent; prunes, 93 per cent; apricots, 97 per cent; peaches, 31 per cent; pears, 27 per cent; onions, 29 per cent. Only in 5 out of 29 leading crops does California fail to produce its average. In 20 crops it produces from 11 per cent ranging up to 100 per cent of the total in the United States. Due to advanced prices and increased acreage, returns to the growers of Southern California for many crops in 1917 were doubled those of 1916. The bean crop advanced from less than $8,000,000 to $15,784,000, and all most equal increase was made in the production of butter, due to the demand made by the government for canned products, the return on these rose in one year from $3,550,000 to $9,055,150. The following table shows the comparative production in values of Southern California soil production for last year and the previous year: Beans, production 1916, 1,850,000 sacks; last year, 1,700,000 sacks; value last year, $15,784,000. Beer, production 1916, 333,856 barrels; last year, 400,000 barrels; value last year, $3,600,000. Berry production 1916, 366,000 crates; last year, 400,000 crates; value last year, $604,000. Butter production 1916, 8,742,047 pounds; last year, 11,000,000 pounds; value last year, $4,510,000. Cabbage production 1916, 700 crates; last year, 1,000 crates; value last year, $350,000. Canned goods production 1916,2,025,000 cases; last year, 2,786,200 said that Keyes was afflicted with moral degeneration, but not with mental deterioration. When the jury came in the people in the courtroom rose to their feet. Many stood on chairs and tables that they might watch the jury and the effect of the verdict upon the prisoner. Throughout the trial Keyes had slouched in his chair as though sleeping. When the jury went out he brightened up and discussed the probable verdict. "They'll hang me," he said. Judge West set 9:30 o'clock tomorrow as the time for passing sentence. While the jury brought in a verdict of guilty of murder in the first degree, for which there is but one penalty, that of death, the court must pass sentence also. Keyes stood while the time was fixed and listened intently. There was not the slightest sign of grief. In fact, he grinned slightly, and nodded his head with unconcern when the judge set the hour for sentence. "If they thought I was going to cry, they were damn badly mistaken," said Keyes on the way back to the county jail. The crime for which Keyes is to hang is known as the most atrocious in the history of the county. After Leonard Herwick, a newsboy, was lured to Keyes's home near Newport Beach, he was attacked by Keyes, long known to Deputy Sheriff Wright, and other Los Angeles officers, as a degenerate. After the attack, Keyes murdered the boy, cut off his head, threw the body in a drainage ditch, and hid the head under a railroad bridge. Attorney Carpenter said he would take an appeal. PLENTY OF LAND A New York professor recently declared before a state legislative tax ANAHEIM AWNING AND TENT CO. The rainy season is just about to set in and you should have your canvas goods in readiness. Our new and complete equipment enables us to fill your immediate wants in Wagon Covers, Canopies, Storm Curtains and Tarpaulins WORKMANSHIP AND MATERIALS ARE ALL GUARANTEED ARE ALL GUARANTEED All kinds of Auto Tents built to order Anaheim Awning and Tent Co. 222 East Center St., Anaheim. Pacific 505, Home 61 of storage tracks and freight sheds to accommodate this trifle. This is particularly true of the large amount of goods from California's interior section which are sent to San Francisco for export. The survey also includes a careful investigation of the rate of charges at the port. The merchants in the smaller cities of California can be of great assistance in relieving the general congestion if they will co-operate in the quick loading and unloading of freight cars in their respective territories. One instance which shows the necessity for the expedition of freight movement in the state will be contained in the forthcoming bulletin to be issued by the State Board of Viticulture Commissioners, which shows that the grape crop for the state in 1917 was valued at $68,000,000 and that 16,585 cars of grapes were shipped from California. This included the greatest shipment of table grapes ever sent out from this state and was 2,500 cars greater than the shipment of 1916. San Francisco, San Pedro and the other ports of export in California are more than ever feeling the necessity for increased shipping facilities on the Pacific coast. Shipyards up and down the coast are working to full capacity to turn out vessels, but most of these are being taken over by the Atlantic trade. In Los Angeles well founded reports are current that at least two more shipbuilding plants will be established at San Pedro, and that the negotiations for the site of one already reported is nearing conclusion. THE PEOPLE'S CASH BOOK Gross receipts of the state government in 1911 were $17,882,091.37 and in 1916 they were $37,902,612.96—an increase of $20,020,521.59, or 111.9 percent. Receipts of the counties, exclusive of San Francisco, rose from $41,345.925.99 in 1911 to $75,092,681.45 in 1916—an increase of $33,746,755.46 or 81.6 percent while the gross payments by counties advanced from $36,272,598.02 in 1911 to $74,649,396.73 in 1916—an increase of $38,376,298.71, or 105 percent. California municipalities, including San Francisco, had gross receipts of $46,777,803.61 in 1911 and $68,305,640.66 in 1916—an increase of $21,527,837.05, or 46 per cent. Their gross payments, in the same period, advanced from $43,808,965.13 to $65,183,196.44—an increase of $21,374,231.31, or 48.7 percent. Over There and Over Here Over there on the fighting front, and behind the lines, the telephone is as indispensable as it is here at home. Over there troops are moved and battles fought, the movements of the enemy reported supplies and munitions brought up by means of telephone communication. Over here more than 12,000 longline operators have been specially trained for Government service, and the Government at Washington keeps in close touch with every phase of preparation and directs the work of a vast number of industries upon which the success our armies will depend. Over there and over here the great war captains and the captains of industry depend on telephone communication to carry out their plans successfully. The Bell System is devoting all its great resources to the end that the work of preparing armies for battle and of sustaining them in the field, shall go on systematically efficiently so that over here and over there, there may be coordinated and sustained effort which alone will bring the final victory. THE PACIFIC TELEPHONE AND TELEGRAPH COMPANY