anaheim-gazette 1928-01-05

GROWTH OF ANAHEIM Total for 1910 was... 2,268 Total for 1920 was... 5,525 Today estimated at... 12,090 VOLUME LVIII ANAHEIM'S ENTRY BEAUTIFUL FLOAT ADMIRED BY ALL SPECTATORS AWARDED FIRST PRIZE IN CLASS A-1 DIVISION IN PARADE Aladdin and His Magic Lamp Furnishes Inspiration for the Setting; Same Motif Will Be Used in Decorations of Orange Show Tent; Float on Display on West Center Street Tuesday; Hundreds Admired It THE Anaheim Chamber of Commerce made a distinct hit with the float entered in Three Cities Show Big Increases in New Buildings ALTOUGH 1927 has generally been considered one of retrenchment and recession, nevertheless three of the larger cities of Orange county showed building totals far ahead of those of the past year, according to a survey made recently. Fullerton, Anaheim, and Newport Beach were the three cities that showed big gains over 1926, the figures showed. Santa Ana just fell short of equalling the mark of last year. The only decided slump in building in the incorporated cities of the county was reported from Orange. Figures were as follows, including an estimate of the building permits expected to be taken out during the last three days of the year: Fullerton, December, 1927, $24,475; December, 1926, $33,300; 1927, $819,-093; 1926, $496,961. Anaheim, December, 1927, $27,461; December, 1926, $17,715; 1927, $454,-641; 1926 $296,000. Santa Ana, December, 1927, $37,-268; December, 1926, $147,640; 1927, $147,637; 1926 $150,000. IN PARADE Aladdin and His Magic Lamp Furnishes Inspiration for the Setting; Same Motif Will Be Used in Decorations of Orange Show Tent; Float on Display on West Center Street Tuesday; Hundreds Admired It THE Anaheim Chamber of Commerce made a distinct hit with the float entered in the Rose Tournament parade at Pasadena Monday. Hundreds of thousands of people crowded into the line of march, and throughout the entire length of the parade the beautiful creation was loudly applauded. The announcement that it was given first prize in the class A-1 division met the approval of the multitude of people who admired it as it passed in the procession. The float was designed to depict the Arabian Nights story of Aladdin and his magic lamp. The central figures were the princess, seated in half of a huge orange, with Aladdin kneeling before her and presenting an offering. On its sides were emblazoned the words, "California Valencia Orange Show, Anaheim." The Aladdin story will be drawn upon for the decorations and costumes at the next orange show. This float, on which space was limited, indicates the possibilities of such a picturesque setting, and the noted artists who will have charge of designing and superintending the work will far surpass all previous efforts. The princess, who was seated in the large half orange, was represented by Miss Gertrude Bryan, and her brother, William Bryan, sustained the character of Aladdin, who was kneeling at her feet, presenting an array of wonderful jewels. Four heralds, who marched at the four corners, carrying banners, were Howard Loudon, Glenn Schumacher, and Albert and James Macres. The National Orange Show at San Bernardino, the Sherman Institute, and the City of Pomona were in the same class in competition with Anaheim A beautiful silver cup, suitably engraved, is the prize. The float was designed and built by Fred Robbins, while Harry Macres added the floral decorations. More than 30,000 flowers were used. Secretary George W. Reld of the Chamber of Commerce, and manager of the orange show, will proudly display the trophy at the Chamber of Commerce. Considering that the float captured first honors in competition with many beautiful creations, is an indication that the motif selected for the orange show decorations strikes a popular chord. Kiwanians Install Their New Officers Postmaster's Report Shows Huge Business 1927 Increase More Than $4000 Over Previous Year Reflecting the important increase in population and prosperity in Anaheim during the past year is a report made by Postmaster J. H. Whitaker on the business done by the Anaheim post-office during the past 12 months. Indicating that Anaheim is on the eve of a new era of growth and development, receipts during the year showed an increase of $4076.58 over the record of 1926, practically doubling the increase made by 1926 over 1925, and the greatest increase made by the office since 1923. Postmaster Whitaker reported. Receipts during 1927 totaled $53,672.45 as compared with $49,395.87, the record for 1926. Contributing a large share to this phenomenal gain was the vastly increased Christmas business experienced by the office during 1927. Receipts during December, 1927, totaled $8837.17 as compared with $8203.27 in 1926. During the past 10-year period, which has seen Anaheim's greatest expansion and development, postal business has registered a gain of nearly 200 per cent, records reveal. Receipts during 1917 totaled $18,325.96, or hardly one-third of the phenomenal total for the year just closed. The new year has opened with a bang, as far as the Anaheim postoffice is concerned and indications are that the office will experience an exceptionally fine January, Postmaster Whitaker said. Receipts so far this month have passed the $400 mark. The passing of the $50,000 mark last year will bring to Postmaster Whitaker a $100 increase in his yearly salary, effective at the opening of the new fiscal year next July. It also puts the local office in a position to add new help when it becomes necessary to do so. No immediate addition to the force is contemplated, however, Whitaker said. BACK FROM UTAH Agent Eden of the Union Pacific has only decided slump in building in the incorporated cities of the county was reported from Orange. Figures were as follows, including an estimate of the building permits expected to be taken out during the last three days of the year: Fullerton, December, 1927, $24,475; December, 1926, $33,300; 1927, $819-093; 1926, $496,961. Anaheim, December, 1927, $27,461; December, 1926, $17,715; 1927, $454-641; 1926 $296,000. Santa Ana, December, 1927, $37,-268; December, 1926, $147,640; 1927,$1,447,617; 1926,$1,502,085. The total number out was 250, and for residences. Issued for dwelling Most of these housing costing an average tion to the dwelling residential purposes coupled with their houses in the city now is pretty good city's population is business structure permits granted. As fire chief, Mr. a report on the department during Anaheim suffered the total loss being than $2000. This showing,and indicatingthe fire fighters. There were 37 alarms seven of them being Twice the department Garden Grove to as fires,and once to packing houses we weeks ago.Autom sponsible for ten department answer alarms,and others out to extinguish trash piles or graffited. Aside from the which were damage fires within the city loss,and in the damage was only Anaheim's fire commended for it. Judge Allie Opposite Recommends Tecations Be Kiwanians Install Their New Officers Arthur Porter Assumes Gavel As President of Club New officers of the Anaheim Kiwanis Club, headed by Arthur Porter as president. Tuesday took over the reigns of office. They were installed by Frank Morris of Whittier, lieutenant-governor of this Kiwanis district. Mr. Morris was introduced by R. B. Young, secretary, who also gave a report on the club's activities for the year. Besides Mr. Porter, the new officers include O. E. Steward, vice-president; Fred Backs, treasurer, and the following directors: John Newhard, Forrest Fowler, Roy Easton, Joe Collings, Robert Easton, Fred Robbins, and Floyd McCracken. "There is something wrong with society and civilization which produces a man like William Edward Hickman, now held in a Los Angeles jail for the slaying of a 12-year-old girl," said Mr. Morris in his installation address. "And it is for Kiwanians and allied organizations to overcome this influence. Kiwanis must look to the spiritual in life for a solution for society'sills. It must forget the material side as much as is possible." "Kiwanis members should make a new year's resolution at this time. This resolution should be to learn more about Kiwanis, why it is, what it is and what it proposes to do. Clubs should exercise a greater selectivity in choice of their new members. They should seek those men who will become the right kind of leaders in their community." AHEIM GAZETTE Anaheim, California, Thursday, January 5, 1928 ENTRY WINS HONORS AT YEAR'S BUILDING ARGER THAN LAST YEAR MITS ISSUED DURING LAST TWELVE MONTHS TOTALED 259 egate of Cost of New Struces $75,000 Greater Than previous Year; Losses From es Only $1875 in 1927; Alarms Sent in, Seven ng for Aid Outside City; eral False Alarms Given Marriages and Divorces Decrease During Past Year DECREASE in the number of marriages in Orange county during 1927, as compared to 1926, was accompanied by the comforting fact that divorces, too, were on the decrease, for the first time. The year just closed had but 4589 marriages, as compared to 5026 for the year 1926, according to word received from Santa Ana. Divorces totaled 179 in 1927 and 193 in 1926. The new "three-day" marriage law is blamed for the drop in marriages, the matrimonial traffic now being diverted to Yuma, Arizona, and other points just beyond the state line. For the first half of 1927, before the new law went into effect, the year 1927 outstripped 1926 by a large margin. But the last five months, with the new law in effect, saw a decrease of about half in the volume of marriages during each month. December, for example, had a total of 280 marriages, as compared to 495 for December, 1926. NO PESSIMISTS IN SOUTHLAND THIS YEAR SEASON JUST PASSED ONE OF MOST PROSPEROUS IN HISTORY More Money for Citrus Crop Brought to Orange County Than Ever Before; All Citrus Associations Report a Year of Unprecedented Prosperity; Good Timely Rains Add to Satisfaction of the Growers THE year 1927, which drew its expiring breath at midnight last Saturday, was a very satisfactory year from an industrial Superior Impress IMPROVED ORGANIZING VISIONS AT The pro district for been up for images and developed so ahead whil to advertise potions wi to cover case the tested our were order. No prot way City January_27 w Curbs in Los Angeles resolution specification for the L Catalina, Chestnut, Cherry. The boo Anaheim is steadily advancing and showing a substantial growth is indicated by Building Inspector Nyboe's figures for the year ending the last day of December. Although no large and costly structures were erected during the year, the total figures for permits issued were more than $75,000 greater than the previous year. The aggregate valuation of all permits was $454,734, against $378,864 in 1926. The total number of permits taken out was 259, and the largest item was for residences. Sixty permits were issued for dwellings within the year. Most of these houses were substantial, costing an average of $3500. In addition to the dwellings, four courts for residential purposes were erected. This coupled with the fact that vacant houses in the city are not plentiful now, is pretty good evidence that the city's population is growing. Ten new business structures were among the permits granted. As fire chief, Mr. Nyboe also issued a report on the activities of the fire department during the year. As usual, Anaheim suffered very little from fire, the total loss being estimated at less than $2000. This is a remarkable showing, and indicates the efficiency of the fire fighters. There were 37 alarms during the year, seven of them being outside the city. Twice the department sent a truck to Garden Grove to assist in extinguishing fires, and once to Olive, where the two packing houses were destroyed some weeks ago. Automobile fires were responsible for ten of the alarms. The department answered several false alarms, and others the boys were called out to extinguish proved to be only trash piles or grass that had become ignited. Aside from the automobiles, some of which were damaged, only four of the fires within the city resulted in property loss, and in the largest of these the damage was only $1200. Anaheim's fire department should be commended for its efficiency. Judge Allen Again Opposes Parole Recommends That Both Applications Be Turned Down The California state prison board is to hear another expression of Superior Judge James L. Allen's opinion of the indeterminate sentence law. Despite it, Anaheim is steadily advancing and showing a substantial growth is indicated by Building Inspector Nyboe's figures for the year ending the last day of December. Although no large and costly structures were erected during the year, the total figures for permits issued were more than $75,000 greater than the previous year. The aggregate valuation of all permits was $454,734, against $378,864 in 1926. The total number of permits taken out was 259, and the largest item was for residences. Sixty permits were issued for dwellings within the year. Most of these houses were substantial, costing an average of $3500. In addition to the dwellings, four courts for residential purposes were erected. This coupled with the fact that vacant houses in the city are not plentiful now, is pretty good evidence that the city's population is growing. Ten new business structures were among the permits granted. As fire chief, Mr. Nyboe also issued a report on the activities of the fire department during the year. As usual, Anaheim suffered very little from fire, the total loss being estimated at less than $2000. This is a remarkable showing, and indicates the efficiency of the fire fighters. There were 37 alarms during the year, seven of them being outside the city. Twice the department sent a truck to Garden Grove to assist in extinguishing fires, and once to Olive, where the two packing houses were destroyed some weeks ago. Automobile fires were responsible for ten of the alarms. The department answered several false alarms, and others the boys were called out to extinguish proved to be only trash piles or grass that had become ignited. Aside from the automobiles, some of which were damaged, only four of the fires within the city resulted in property loss, and in the largest of these the damage was only $1200. Anaheim's fire department should be commended for its efficiency. PLAN MEMORIAL FOR PIONEERS Tablet Bearing Names of Early Settlers Pronosed for Cemetery; to Cost $15,000 Mrs. J. J. Dwyer has received a letter from A. G. Langenberger, at Honolulu, December 24, in which he suggests the erection of a memorial at the cemetery in honor of the early settlers of this city. Langenberger formerly resided here, but for a number of years has been absent, mostly in Europe, and is now sojourning in Honolulu. He was here in October, and visited the cemetery. He was greatly pleased at the many improvements made by Charles Fay, who is transforming the grounds into a much better appearing city for the dead. He suggests that descendants of Pioneers contribute to a fund for the erection of a memorial, which will cost $15,000. He will personally donate $2000. His letter is as follows: "Honolulu, T. H. Dec. 24, 1927. Dear Dwyer, "I regret so much not having had time to see you before leaving for Hawaii. I spent a day in Anaheim, and of course visited the cemetery, and was perfectly delighted to see our long-cherished desire for perpetual care being realized. What a wonderful thing to know that the sturdy Pioneers of Anaheim will now have a fitting resting place! My first impulse was to erect at my own expense, with the consent of the cemetery trustees, an ornamental flagpole. But after due reflection, feel that all the sons and daughters should have a share in having some memorial built to commemorate the sturdy, self-sacrificing qualities of their parents, the Pioneers of Anaheim, and by 'pioneers' I meant not exactly the original Anaheim Vineyard Association, but all the old-time families that worked so hard and lived in and about Anaheim between the years of 1860-1890. "Of course you are much better posted as to the names of all these true Pioneers of Anaheim. I have thought up about twenty families who surely could donate perhaps $500 a piece to perpetuate the names of their honorable fathers and mothers whose self-sacrifice helped to make Anaheim what it is today. If we sons and daughters do not do this now, I fear the coming fate for this new family." THE year 1927, which drew its expiring breath at midnight last Saturday, was a very satisfactory year from an industrial standpoint throughout the entire United States, as a whole, although people in certain sections of the country encountered adverse conditions and cannot regard the past year as a prosperous one. According to reports of department heads at Washington, the country is entering the year 1928 with bright prospects, and it is believed that legislation will relieve where help is needed. Southern California is on easy street, especially this particular section of it. Citrus fruit is the mainstay of Anaheim district, and the bumper crop of last year, coupled with the satisfactory prices, brought more money into Orange county than ever before in history of the industry. The largest crop ever harvested by the growers of the county was shipped out, and found a ready market at unusually good prices. The annual report of G.W. Sandilands, secretary-manager of the Anaheim Orange and Lemon Association, may be taken as a fair example of what the packing houses did during the season, as the associations all prosper alike. Fruit marketed through this house during the past year, said Mr. Sandilands, brought returns to the district totalling $1,041,462.24, a total of 707 cars of oranges and lemons being shipped during this period. Despite the large percentage of small sizes handled during the year, 49.2 per cent of the crop being of size 252 and smaller, an average price of $3.26 net per packed box was paid for Valencias including all grades and sizes, and the off-blooms cleaned up at end of the season on a high market, netted on the same basis, an average price of $3.91. In addition, growers are yet to receive their annual refund on operating expenses this year's refund to average 38.8 cents per packed box on the entire crop,the largest refund ever made by the house.it is stated.All charges covering packing,hailing and pickingremainedthesameasinthepastseveralyears. The annual report of Manager Sandilands covers.ina comprehensive fashion.all branchesofthebusiness.fromthegrowingofthefruittothemarketingofitinthepast,andhasmany suggestionsfortheraisingofbetterandmoredesirablefruit. VISITING THE OLD FOLKS Arthur and Harold Mann were in town first of the week,vistingwith their parents.Mr.Marley.H Judge Allen Again Opposes Parole Recommends That Both Applications Be Turned Down The California state prison board is to hear another expression of Superior Judge James L. Allen's opinion of the indeterminate sentence law. Despite the fact that he recently termed the law the greatest curse in the state, two applications for paroling San Quentin prisoners sentenced by him were received yesterday. Judge Allen was asked to make his recommendations regarding the request for liberty, which have been made in anticipation of the fact that the prison board will decide on the length of their terms in the near future. He stated that he will advise keeping the two men for the full period of their sentences and will oppose granting them parole. H. L. Brown, convicted of second-degree robbery two years ago, after his alleged holdup of service stations at Westminster and Long Beach, is one of the parole applicants. Judge Allen declared that the only place for him is in the penitentiary, stating that a man who carries a gun around the country and endangers people's lives cannot be allowed to circulate among law abiding citizens. Brown's family, in which there are said to be five children, is living in Costa Mesa, according to reports. It is said that they are getting along very well without his help. John F. Bebee is the other prisoner who is to be sentenced by the prison board. He was convicted of issuing a fictitious check and was termed as being a "tough cookie." His parole application will not receive any support from Judge Allen. He entered San Quentin March 22, while Brown began his term there March 13. A New Jersey woman stoked the furnace on her 101st birthday. It's getting so now that they never grow old. "I have spoken to two architects and also with a sculptor friend of mine, who think $15,000 will build something very fine—something that will be a credit to the community. I do not think it would be difficult to get this amount together. I thought each Pioneer family should be called upon to donate $500 minimum. This sum to insure the inscription of their family name on the scroll of honor. Of course, the wealthier sons and daughters can give as much more as they care to, and these additional sums will take care of some of the Pioneer family names to be inscribed that have not the means or the fortunate descendants to contribute to the building of such a memorial." "I will have a couple of sketches to submit to the old cemetery board when I return in the spring, and my hope and desire is that you get up some enthusiasm for the creation of this memorial in the meantime. I am sure the Anaheim newspapers could help very much. Get the Pioneer families to submit names of those they think should be included on this roll of honor. I will give you the names of those I think would gladly contribute to such a memorial." "Of course there are a number I have forgotten, and those who contribute less and are really within the right to be classed as Pioneers should also be eagerly canvassed." My attorney made the suggestion that a non-profit corporation be formed for the collection of funds and the building of such a memorial. The subscribers automatically becoming life members of such a corporation, to be called the Pioneer Memorial Society of Anaheim, or some such name. "I would appreciate your opinion on the foregoing. We will be a long time dead; let us do something to perpetuate the memory of these old Pioneers before we, too, are called. I personally will gladly contribute $2000 toward the erection of a fitting memorial as outlined above." "Sincerely yours, "A. G. LANGENBERGER." ANÄHEIM—YOUR CITY Founded by German Colonists, 1857 Assessed Value, 1925, $10,500,000 School System Valued at $951,000 Number 13 ERS AT PASADENA MISTS LAND EAR SSED ONE PEROUS ERY Citrus Crop range County ; All Citrus port a Year Prosperity; Ins Add to the Growers which drew its at midnight a very satisian industrial Supervisors Plan Improvements for West Orange Co. IMPROVEMENT projects for western Orange county had their inning before the board of supervisors at last week's session. The proposal to create a lighting district for Westminster, which has been up for three successive meetings and to which there has developed some opposition, was moved ahead when the supervisors decided to advertise the project if the proposals will put up a certified check to cover the cost of advertising in case the project is eventually protested out. Plans and specifications were ordered. No protests were filed to the Midway City lighting district and January 27 was set as the election date. Curbs and walks for nine streets in Los Alamitos were included in a resolution passed ordering plans and specifications. January 24 was set for the hearing. The streets are Catalina, Florita, Alvarado, Walnut, Chestnut, Myrtle, Pine, Main and Cherry. The board formally approved the improvement of Orangetown and COUNTY RECORD IN HIGHWAY BUILDING PAST YEAR SURPASSES ALL PREVIOUS IN ROAD IMPROVEMENT More Than Million and a Half Dollars Spent on Highways During 12 Months: 12 Miles of Primary Road Improved; Secondary Road Improved; Northern Section of County Gets Its Shares of Reports ORANGE county's wonderful progress in all lines of activity during the year 1927 is shown by reports of the various. Many Malefactors Land in County Jail Jernigan Has 9000 Guests During Past Five Years Although it is generally known that there are between 75 and 100 prisoners in the Orange county jail at all times, few persons in Orange county would believe that almost 9000 prisoners have come into the jail during Sheriff Sam Jernigan's term of office. These figures are correct, however, being taken from the sheriff's jail book. In a number of cases, the prisoners have been the same on different occasions, but each time they had to be handled as new prisoners. In other words, enough persons have been booked in the jail during the past five years to make up a third or more of the population of Santa Ana. Of the same 8440 prisoners taken care of in the past four years, 2217 were booked at the jail for the past year. When the records for the year were closed there were 89 prisoners in jail. The crimes of these prisoners range from speeding to murder, but regardless of the crime, they all come to the jail in the same manner and they all go out the same way. The treatment given is the same for all. Although Sheriff Jernigan's working force is much smaller than the police force of Santa Ana and other cities in the county, the number of arrests does not show it. During the five years Jernigan has been in office, the monthly arrests averaged 51.52, while the records show that 10.56f calls were made by sheriff's officers during this time. The sheriff's office itself has been responsible for the arrest of 3180 of the prisoners booked at the jail during the past four years, the records show. Jernigan and his deputies have arrested 768 prisoners on felony charges since he took office, 134 on high misdemeanor charges, and 1430 prisoners on lesser charges. This does not include protests were filed to the Midway City lighting district and January 27 was set as the election date. Curbs and walks for nine streets in Los Alamitos were included in a resolution passed ordering plans and specifications. January 24 was set for the hearing. The streets are Catalina, Florita, Alvarado, Walnut, Chestnut, Myrtle, Pine, Main and Cherry. The board formally approved the improvement of Ocean avenue and Los Alamitos boulevard, the contracts having been completed some months ago. Orange county's wonderful progress in all lines of activity during the year 1927 is shown by reports of various officials. One of the most marked of all improvements during the past 12 years is the record-breaking road building program which is shown in the annual report of the highway superintendent. Hundreds of thousands of tourists from all sections of the country pass up and down our highways every year, and the county has gained the reputation of leading all other counties in the United States in the excellence of its roads. There was more activity in this work during the past year than in any previous year, and a million and a half dollars was spent on highway improvement. A total of 42.32 miles of primary highway construction, and 138.43 miles of secondary or "dirt road" construction was added to the Orange county road system during 1927, with the December and part of the November summary yet to be filed by Highway Superintendent Nat H. Neff, his annual report to the supervisors disclosed. The year saw a new road-building record established, expenditures amounting to approximately $1,500,000. Ten miles of cement-concrete pavement, 24.07 miles of asphalt-concrete, and 8.25 miles of grading and graveling made up the primary construction, costing the county $1,128,029.03. The balance was spent upon the secondary work, including decomposed granite surfacing, grading and oil, decomposed granite and macadam, oil and rock and other classifications, but not including maintenance work. The primary report covers 11 months, the second report 10 months." The highway superintendent's report does not classify the primary construction by road districts, but shows that the secondary work was distributed as follows: second district 138.43 miles; third district 56.43 miles; fourth district, 11.91 miles, and fifth district, 33.39 miles. The secondary report is further classified according to type of construction, as follows: grading and decomposed granite, 4.65 miles; grading and oil, 45.88 miles; grading, decomposed granite macadam, 14.36 miles; grading and regrading, 5.45; grading, oil and rock, 4.95 miles; smooth, reshape and decomposed granite, 1.30 miles; clean, reshape and re-oll, 61.84 miles. Twenty-one contracts made up the primary program of 1927, 15 being cash jobs, while seven were financed by assessment districts. Not all of these contracts were for roads, two being for flood protection at the county park and El Modena, another for ornamental During the five years Jernigan has been in office, the monthly averaged 51.52, while the records show that 10.56f calls were made by sheriff's officers during this time. The sheriff's office itself has been responsible for the arrest of 3180 of the prisoners booked at the fall during the past four years, the records show. Jernigan and his deputies have arrested 768 prisoners on felony charges since he took office, 134 on high misdemeanor charges, and 1430 prisoners on lesser charges. This does not include the arrests made for violations of the Wright act. During the past five years, 776 persons have been arrested for possession of liquor or some other form of violation of the Wright act. In 1927, there were 147 arrests for alleged violations of this kind. The year 1926 was the largest year for arrests in liquor violations, when 201 persons were arrested. In 1925, there were 149; 1924, 129, and 1923, Jernigan's first year, 150. Jernigan pointed out that from January to August, 1923, he had only one deputy, from August, 1923, to August, 1925, he had two deputies; from August, 1925, to August, 1927, he had three deputies, and since last August he has had four deputies. The figure 776, given as the number of arrests made in Wright act cases, does not include numerous other Wright act cases handled by city officers in a number of cities in Orange county, although the defendants were arrested by sheriff's officers. Many were handled in Anaheim, Fullerton, La Habra, Brea, Placentia, Newport Beach, and Huntington Beach, the sheriff stated. William Webster brought suit against J. L. Beebe and H. Eva Beebe for $2000 alleging that they had failed to keep a contract agreement. He declared that he bought acreage from them with the intention of subdividing it, and that they agreed to grade a road for the property. They have not done so, he stated, and asks that his first payment of $2000 be returned. Twenty-one contracts made up the primary program of 1927, 15 being cash jobs, while seven were financed by assessment districts. Not all of these contracts were for roads, two being for flood protection at the county park and El Modena, another for ornamental lights at Laguna Beach, and a fourth for bridge and sidewalks at Sunset Beach. Three were for bridges at Villa Park, Orange and Serra. The most notable road contract of the year was that of the Placentia assessment district, which built 14.71 miles of hard-surface paving at a cost of $399,000. Improvement of Newport avenue for a distance of eight miles was next, the cost being $148,519.37. Laguna Beach improvement district built a mile and a half at a cost of $153,721.23, this providing one of the finest local boulevards in the county. The Laguna lighting contract cost $29,422. The western part of the county was well represented in the building program, with a $19,562 contract at Midway City, a $52,412 contract at Sunset Beach, a $37,800 contract on Artesia street, a $42,153 contract on Los Alamitos and Bay City roads, and a $11,-381 contract on Orange and Dale avenues, near Buena Park. NEW YEAR'S DANCE Among the most delightful of the New Year eve parties was the dance given by Miss Florence Backs, Miss Marion Utter, and Miss Gladys Hopson, three charming society buds, at the Overseas Club, at Balboa. About thirty guests were bidden to dance the old year out and the new year in. Delicious refreshments were served, and a happy time was enjoyed by all present. The party was chaperoned by Mrs. Fred A. Backs, Miss Marjorie Utter, and Frederick Thompson of Los Angeles, fiance of Miss Utter.