anaheim-gazette 1928-05-24

THE ANAHEIM GAZETTE ESTABLISHED 1870 HENRY KUCHEL, Editor and Proprietor ISSUED EVERY THURSDAY SUBSCRIPTION PER YEAR $2.00 SIX MONTHS 1.25 THREE MONTHS .75 Entered at the Anaheim, California, Post Office as second class matter. WHAT OUR DOLLAR BUYS The purchasing power of the dollar, as measured by average living costs for the American wage-earner and other persons of moderate means, which includes the great majority of our population, stands higher today than it has for nearly five years, according to the recent living index made public by the National Industrial Conference board. The dollar, on the basis of living costs in March, is now worth 62.1 cents compared with the pre-war dollar of June, 1914. The board goes on to say that the purchasing power of the dollar has been enhanced by a net decline in the cost of living of 21.2 per cent since July, 1920, and living costs today are the lowest since June, 1923, when they were at about the present level. The decline has been fairly steady during the past two years. But the most significant statement in the report is that while the total cost of living is but 61 per cent higher than in 1914 and is still declining, the average weekly earnings of the worker today are 118 per cent higher than in 1914, and the average hourly earnings are 131 per cent higher. In short, although the living cost is 61 per cent higher than before the war, wages have increased twice as rapidly as the cost of living. The average worker's weekly pay therefore will buy approximately 35 percent more than it would before the war, and on the hourly But the most significant statement in the report is that while the total cost of living is but 61 per cent higher than in 1914 and is still declining, the average weekly earnings of the worker today are 118 per cent higher than in 1914, and the average hourly earnings are 131 per cent higher. In short, although the living cost is 61 per cent higher than before the war, wages have increased twice as rapidly as the cost of living. The average worker's weekly pay therefore will buy approximately 35 per cent more than it would before the war, and on the hourly earnings basis will buy 43 per cent more. There is a lesson here for the free traders. They told us that all sorts of dreadful things would happen when the present protective tariff was passed. The cost of living would mount rapidly and the workers would earn less because we would lose our foreign markets. But the opposite is true. It is significant that the purchasing power of the post-war dollar was at its lowest ebb before the protective tariff in July, 1920, when it stood at 48.9 cents. It is only fair to say that this was at the peak of post-war inflation, but it is nevertheless true that since the protective tariff law was passed wages have increased and the cost of living has gone down. This has been possible because the great American market has been saved for the American producer and the tremendous output and modern efficiency methods have enabled the home producers to cut the cost. In predicting a slump because we might lose the foreign market, the free traders lost sight of the fact that the great American market absorbs nearly nine-tenths of our produce, leaving only a comparatively small surplus for foreign trade. But even at that, our foreign trade continues to flourish under the protective tariff, as a perusal of the figures will show. WITHOUT NEWSPAPERS IN COMMENTING on what the country would be like if all newspapers should suddenly cease publication, a statement credited to the Editorial Opinion of the Anglo-California Trust Company says there would be— "No paper on the doorstep. Newsstands unnaturally bare. Car riders watching familiar landscapes as their trains rush cityward, instead of renewing their contacts with the happenings of the four continents. The world seeming strangely out of joint. Store sales sagging abruptly, for only the show windows remain to tell the daily bargains. Finance, always dependent on the latest news, thrown back upon the thin stream of information trickling through the 'ticker tape.' A city cut off mentally from the outside world. 'Twenty-eight years before George Washington was born the first American newspaper was established. Increasingly during the 200-odd years that have intervened, the newspaper has become a matter-of-course in the American home. In this day and age one can scarcely conceive a world without newspapers. They are a very part of the fabric of daily life, universally in demand—a running record of world events, human achievements, pathos, tragedy, scientific progress—every conceivable activity." All of which is, of course, true. We little reckon, as we carelessly turn its pages, how much the newspaper adds to our daily comfort and our well-being. The newspaper is a necessity not only to keep us in touch with the day's news and the day's business and amusements, but for other reasons. One of these reasons is not often enough taken into consideration by the aver- the first American newspaper was established. Increasingly during the 200-odd years that have intervened, the newspaper has become a matter-of-course in the American home. In this day and age one can scarcely conceive a world without newspapers. They are a very part of the fabric of daily life, universally in demand—a running record of world events, human achievements, pathos, tragedy, scientific progress—every conceivable activity." All of which is, of course, true. We little reckon, as we carelessly turn its pages, how much the newspaper adds to our daily comfort and our well-being. The newspaper is a necessity not only to keep us in touch with the day's news and the day's business and amusements, but for other reasons. One of these reasons is not often enough taken into consideration by the average newspaper reader. It is that the daily and weekly home newspaper is in nearly every case a leader in every civic and moral movement in the community. It furthers every move which is made to increase not only the material prosperity but the home life of the community, its education, its philanthropies, its charities and its moral and spiritual development. Without the home newspaper, business could not go on as usual. FRANCE OFFERS ONE SOME time ago we heard quite a little about the new British cruisers which are said to be more powerful than any warships of the type in the world. In the past few days we have been getting word from France of a new and powerful type of submarine. According to a Paris dispatch, this new submarine, the Redoubtable Venguer, will have its trial voyage early in June. It is said to be bigger and more powerful than anything in the world, and according to many naval experts will give the French a submarine navy equal to anything in the world. But this is not all. There will soon be under construction for the French an even more powerful undersea boat which will have an undersea tonnage of 3,250. The largest American submarine has an underwater tonnage of 2,850. Few of the qualities of the new subs have become known, but it is said that the Redoubtable Venguer will have a cruising radius of 8,000 miles and be capable of remaining at sea for thirty days. The ships will have armament features which are said to be entirely new and will be a real advance over all similar construction. Needless to say, these new features are being kept secret. It would seem, therefore, that all of the world has not yet been converted to pacifism, in spite of the statement of certain American pacifists that we ought to disarm. In view of the expansion and improvement of the navies of Great Britain, France and other world powers, it would seem that Uncle Sam would be foolish indeed either to begin reducing his navy or to quit the building necessary to preserve the best interests of the United States. Nobody in America wants war, but it would be foolish just the same to hamper the development of our navy which is, after all, the best insurance against war. The Straw Hat Days Are Here By Albert T. Reid STRAWS SHOW WHICH WAY THE WIND BLOWS GOSH! THAS' FUNNY Albert T. Reid D. A. R. ACTIVE Some of the many activities of the Daughters of the American Revolution and kindred organizations in the way of constructive patriotism are outlined in an interesting way in the current number of the National Republic by Mrs. Alfred J. Brosseau, president general of the D. A. R. "Education in its broadest sense must ever be our watchword." Mrs. Brosseau says, in way of beginning. "First, must the children of both native and foreign-born citizens be made proficient, not only in the fundamental branches of learning, but in the theories of government and the important part played by the citizen voters should carely be instilled into their young minds. They must be taught respect for the traditions of our country, love for that stable element of life, the home and the value and need of adherence to the principles of the Christian religion. The Southern Mountain and Americanization schools, to which we so generously lend our financial support, provide us with wonderful opportunities for helping in this necessary work of education. "Along the same lines, but in divers ways, does our work in conservation and thrift, girl home-makers and sons and daughters of the republic aid in this vast educational scheme. Through the interesting medium of club life are the children taught the care and protection of possessions, the theories of human relationship and the amenities of every-day existence. And then we have the happy opportunity of lending to worthy young students money from our student loan fund, by means of which they may obtain the benefits of a higher education. "The Philippine Scholarship fund, now completed, enables us to bring to this country one native Filipino girl at a time and to give her four years of training in nursing and the general science of health and public welfare. One student, Damiana Rolorico, a truly lovely and gifted girl, has recently returned to the Philippines after a course at Columbia University and now has an excellent position with her government. She is spreading among her own people the gospel of clean living, preventive measures and sanitation. Soon another girl will be sent to us for similar training. "The education of the foreigner who seeks to establish a home in the United States is not neglected by the Daughters of the American Revolution. We realize that he, too, must be taught certain rudiments of civic and national obligations before he can qualify for citizenship. The Patriotic Education, Americanism, Ellis Island and Immigrants' Manual committees all offer us ample opportunity to aid in this great work of intelligent assimilation of the foreign element in our country. During my years of work among the foreigners on Ellis Island, I learned that the alien instinctively seeks leadership, and once having found it he does his utmost to please and to satisfy. Therefore, the duty of patriotic Americans is obviously to see that he gets the right kind of leadership as soon as he reaches this country." BILLIONS OF PENNIES What becomes of the pennies? Who uses them nowadays, in these times of high prices? Why are they coined? These questions are asked frequently by people to whom the nickel is the least denominator in the economic problem. The answer is not far to seek. Millions of pennies are spent daily in the purchase of newspapers. That is one use to which the little brown coin is put. And Uncle Sam does a large business in retail stamp selling at one and two cents each. But there is another use that calls for an immense volume of this form of money. According to a report just issued by the General Vending Corporation, which maintains slot machines all over the country for the sale of chewing gum, candy and other small package goods, no less than three and a half billion pennies passed through its machines in 1927. It is now estimated by the treasury department, note is made in this connection, that about 4,721,287,900 pennies are in circulation. Hence, in view of the various functions of the penny in daily trade, it is obvious that the same coins pass through the machine slots more than once during the year. It would seem, therefore, that the penny is one of the most actively circulating mediums of exchange in this country. Those who a few years ago protested that the placing of the head of Abraham Lincoln on the penny was not in keeping with his place in the hearts of the people, may be comforted by the assurance which these figures give that the little Lincoln coin is by no means a negligible quantity of American specie. COOLIDGE TURNS PHRASE Calvin Coolidge may not be a Webster in oratory nor a Calhoun in rhetoric, but from his tight lips there springs occasionally a phrase worth repetition. Speaking before the Daughters of the American Revolution in Washington, on April 16, he observed that "If the people to remain politically free, they must be economically free. Their only hope in that direction is for the mto keep their own business in their own hands." These sentences are not dressed for a parade, but they mean something. They carry the President's conviction that the government must not set itself up in concerns which rightfully belong to private enterprise; that Washington must never be turned into the center of a buroacracy which meddles in everything from coal mining to the raising of fancy poultry. Mr. Coolidge explained that government management of enterprises did not always make for efficiency or prosperity. "When business is in private hands," he told the militant Daughters. "It is expected to be run for the benefit of the owners. When the government steps in, the purchasers, users, and beneficiaries of what the government undertakes to supply insist that the concern should be conducted for their benefit. It does not eliminate selfishness; it simply transfers it in part from the seller to the purchasers. Under these conditions it ceases to be a real business, becomes lacking in enterprise and initiative, and does not have any motive to provide improved service. French experts have been sent to America to study mass production of automobiles with a view to using the same system in Europe. But mass production of autos in Europe will never be practical until Europe pays to the workingman the American standard of wages, so that the worker can afford to buy automobiles. NOW THAT THE STRAW HAT SEASON IS CLOSE AT HAND, YE ARTIST FELT IT HIS DUTY TO MAKE A FEW SUGGESTIONS FOR POP FUMBLE'S NEW SPRING HEAD-PIECE. WELL, FOLKS, WITH ALL DUE RESPECTS TO THE ARTIST, JUS THE SAME I THINK I'LL STICK T THE OLD. FEDORA, IT'S MORE BECOMIN' Anaheim, Calif., May 24, 1928 OBSERVATIONS NO EXCESS BAGGAGE QUITE often when you read of a casualty, via the motor vehicle route, when it is said the driver of the death car had been to Tijuana (but was not intoxicated), you wonder why (for the love of Mike) he went down there. (Caramba.) CAMPAIGNING FOR CUPID PREMIER in Europe, in one of his latest inspirations, has come to the idea that it would be a good thing to open a national bank to provide funds to young couples who would marry, to tide them over until they could pay the money back out of their wages, and the proposition is being considered by some of the bankers. FOOLS AND THEIR MONEY SOON PART ALL those young sprigs of gentility who believe they can beat the races at Tijuana have another guess coming. It is only a question of time when they are put on the "bum." BITTER GOES WITH THE SWEET SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA has its disasters the same as any other place on earth, and evil-minded persons should be slow in criticism. When the puny hand of man attempts to change nature's handiwork, that labor should be slow but sure. Some terrible catastrophies have already been recorded. But Southern California, taken as a whole, remains unchanged as a habitation of man. It may be said that of ideal locations there are aplenty, and those sections surely must be valuable and always will prosper. MAKE 'EM SWING TO THE RIGHT SOME motorists who travel a good deal incline to the idea that all left-hand turns should be prohibited; many serious acci- MAKE 'EM SWING TO THE RIGHT SOME motorists who travel a good deal incline to the idea that all left-hand turns should be prohibited; many serious accidents could be avoided. Left-hand turns are dangerous, especially at night, and particularly if an improper hand signal is made. Cases have been cited where no signals had been given, when an oncoming car swung directly in front of the other approaching vehicle and a bad accident was the result. There are many such, according to well informed motorists. WILL SMALL ACORN GROW INTO GREAT OAK? A HURRY call was sent out the other day by a movie actress for an "understudy" for a three-months-old baby now being used in a drama. It was said the child must have blue eyes, an amiable temperament, and must not be of the kind that cries when being bumped around. Now, what have you? BE SURE YOU'RE RIGHT, THEN GO AHEAD BUILDING dams to hold water is a good deal like building airships—that work should be under strict government control, and then only when competent men are employed to do the work. PAST AND PRESENT TENSE ONE of a gang of men accused of a robbery offered an alibi, saying he "broke" with the leader of the bunch just before the job was "pulled" and did not have anything to do with it. In all probability this man will be sent to a place where he will "break" again. SACRE BOOl JOUNG OVER in France, the other day, on one of the old estates the owner found a keg, that had been buried for more than a hundred years, and staged a party. It was supposed to contain wine of an early vintage, and all hands were on tip-toes. After tapping the keg and filling up the glasses of the invited guests, imagine their surprise when they found the liquor had turned to vinegar! WILL EITHER TAKE THE OTHER FOR A RIDE? "BAD BLOOD" seems to exist between a district attorney and superior judge in an adjoining county. According to newspaper reports, the "feud" is "acute." The jurist is quoted as saying that some of the district attorney's deputies are "incompetent." And that official replies that the jurist is "irascible." SO LONG, TOM, TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF ANNOUNCEMENT has been made that a well-known cowboy actor—that debonair and dashing horseman—has gone to one of the southern republics to make his home. Now, that was a mistake—to allow him to go away. The chamber of commerce up there should have passed a resolution about it. And that roving ex-mayor does not stay home long enough to get his feet SO LONG, TOM, TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF ANNOUNCEMENT has been made that a well-known cowboy actor—that debonair and dashing horseman—has gone to one of the southern republics to make his home. Now, that was a mistake—to allow him to go away. The chamber of commerce up there should have passed a resolution about it. And that roving ex-mayor does not stay home long enough to get his feet under the table for his three squares a day. Now what’s the matter u phere in that movie town? S. R. O. SIGNS ARE OUT COMMITTEE has been going over the southern part of the state, looking for a site for a new penitentiary. Just think, folks, they need another state prison! GETTING TO BE A HABIT "HELLO, BILL," said a friend the other day, as he caught up to his acquaintance on the rialto. "How's tricks—how you all getting along?" "Just fine," replied Bill. "I've only got four more payments to make on the old bus and then she's mine. Don't you drive, Sam?" continued Bill, in a sort of an inquisitive voice. "Nope," replied Sam, "but I guess I'll have to get into the game since everybody is doing it. What's the rate of interest now?" ENTENTE CORDIALE FLEW OUT THE WINDOW MAYOR and a pugnacious ex-mayor of an estern city met, at a funeral, the other day, and when the former extended his good right hand for a cordial shake, the latter refused to grasp the proffered free lunch purveyor, saying meanwhile, that it was lucky for the mayor that the incident had not occurred somewhere else. What did he mean by that? These two men, on the dead, should screen well in a comedy strip. PERPLEXITIES CONFRONT THE COLOR-BLIND WHEN a motorist goes to a big city and wants to park his fiiliver along the curb, he has a job on his hands and sometimes gets in the wrong pew. There are red lines, white lines, and lines that are yellow; and there are fire plugs, private house lines, that makes a guy bellow. But when a fellow drives off the wrong car (by mistake) and comes back to find his bus being tagged for being parked too long in one place like going in an alley and punching his own face.