anaheim-gazette 1933-02-16

THE ANAHEIM GAZETTE HENRY KUCHEL, Editor and Publisher ESTABLISHED 1870 ISSUED EVERY THURSDAY SUBSCRIPTION PER YEAR ... $2.00 TIX MONTHS ... $1.00 Entered at the Anaheim, California Postoffice as second-class matter. PREJUDICE SWAYS AGAIN Because confused thoughts expressed in an editorial, "When prejudice Sways," represent a popular misconception of our taxation problems, we wish to call attention to specific charges and conferences. The writer of that editorial, we are confident, expressed his honest opinions. As such, they deserve our honest consideration. The Bulletin editorial of February 8 concerned the appearance before the Anaheim Kiwanis club, February 7, of Dr. Milbank Johnson, chairman of the board of directors, California Taxpayers' association, who spoke on the problem of reducing state expenditures to a point where a dreaded ad valorem tax could be avoided. He discussed state finances, showing where a $9,000,000 deficit faces the state at the end of the present biennium, and where, unless reductions in state expenses are curtailed sharply during the next biennium, 1933-35, expenditures would reach 142 millions of dollars, while the estimated income from present taxes would be 92 millions. He did not discuss the intricate problem of tax reduction, but did point out that unless other and new means of taxation are found, or, unless expenditures are slashed, an ad valorem tax of 50 cents on every $100 of actual valuation is mandatory under the state constitution. The Bulletin editorial states that Dr. Johnson "was introduced as a representative of the California Taxpayers' association, but no mention was made of the fact that this association is composed principally of utility concerns and corporations." We do not know whether or not the association is dominated by utility and corporation interests. The only importance of the statement is for the purpose of analysis. The writer of the editorial infers that because he believes Dr. Johnson represents the utilities, the latter best opinion on necessity must be means of taxation are found, or, unless expenditures are slashed, an ad valorem tax of 50 cents on every $100 of actual valuation is mandatory under the state constitution. The Bulletin editorial states that Dr. Johnson "was introduced as a representative of the California Taxpayers' association, but no mention was made of the fact that this association is composed principally of utility concerns and corporations." We do not know whether or not the association is dominated by utility and corporation interests. The only importance of the statement is for the purpose of analysis. The writer of the editorial infers that because he believes Dr. Johnson represents the utilities, the latter's honest opinions about taxation of necessity must be prejudiced. That is the crux of the whole editorial. The Bulletin set itself a high goal when it concluded as follows: "Thus one sees that it is vital for every individual to possess a broad information and a discerning mind in order to avoid being swayed by honest prejudices of others." In the light of this high-minded objective, let us consider several prejudices. The editorial stated: "He (Dr. Johnson) urged the reduction of state support of schools as one of the possible methods of reducing costs of state government. But he did not explain to his hearers that the tax on corporations provides the funds for the state support of schools, and that any relief granted to the corporations would not be actual relief to the homes. "Perhaps the speaker was influenced wholly by his studies of one angle of this momentous problem. Undoubtedly a man of his reputation would not have sought to mislead, but because he is so convinced of the need of relief for this group of organized taxpayers, he failed to present the entire picture." When we consider that of the $142,691,840.75 general fund expenditure budget for 1933-35, education gets $81,549,996.31, or approximately 57 per cent of the total, the necessity of including schools with other forms of state costs becomes apparent. Otherwise, we would blindfold ourselves for the sake of an ideal of public education, and confine state economies to functions that get less than half of the state budget. Consider further that more adults than regular high school students are enrolled in California's high schools, that this same enrollment is used as a sort of racket to bolster local demands upon the state treasury for increased school appropriations, that tap dancing, beauty parlor instruction and contract bridge lessons represent the kind of "frills" that can be eliminated without in any way injuring the fundamental purposes of our schools, and we begin to see where some expenses could be lopped off our educational budget. Let us not close our eyes to the possibility of increased educational efficiency with decreased appropriations. Let us also bear in mind that Dr. Johnson was speaking for a reduction of state expenses to keep within our present tax system, and not for reduction of taxes. The Bulletin editorial charges Dr. Johnson of not making clear that taxes on corporations provide the funds for the state support of schools. As a matter of fact, the dual system of California taxation was not under discussion. Nor was it necessary. Superintendent Melbourne A. Gauer of Anaheim elementary schools, a guest at the meeting, rosé to explain that state support for schools is derived from a tax on utilities and corporations. This simple statement, innocently made, plays right into the hands of the teachers' lobby at Sacramento, the most expensive and most effective lobby in California. Propaganda that corporations and utilities pay for our schools is dished out wholesale for the purists in California, ready to submit to a vote. state's fixed constituent elementary and higher In other words, service in California of the state, that t for a reduction of ea all over the state s measure. Our own send telegrams or w/ blyman Edward Crawf. This kind of propaganda parents and teachers protesting against a of those writing at schools would be owe which would have rethe state before it owe. The teachers' action This figure is taken weekly floods the deteachers pay $3 each an income of $114, as advertising in Headquarters expermoney received is a Not all this ,of oteachers themselves groups in the state up at Sacramento greater harm than W Assemblyman Eway department, givsystem has worked In 20 years, Calibonds. In this time terest and $16,000, $105,000,000. We still owe $56 And yet there are today and pay a doceivable purpose. REVOKE A couple of weeks warned that there wi did not get immediWe don't agree The Bulletin editorial charges Dr. Johnson of not making clear that taxes on corporations provide the funds for the state support of schools. As a matter of fact, the dual system of California taxation was not under discussion. Nor was it necessary. Superintendent Melbourne A. Gauer of Anaheim elementary schools, a guest at the meeting, rose to explain that state support for schools is derived from a tax on utilities and corporations. This simple statement, innocently made, plays right into the hands of the teachers' lobby at Sacramento, the most expensive and most effective lobby in California. Propaganda that corporations and utilities pay for our schools is dished out wholesale for the purpose of confusing the issue. It is only partly true, because the people, in establishing certain regulating bodies over corporations and utilities, must permit those groups to make a legitimate profit. Heavily taxed, the increase must be passed on to the consumer in the form of increased rates, which the duly constituted governing bodies of the people must grant under state laws. But, what is more important, the Bulletin and Mr. Gauer are guilty of a greater injustice than they charge. Bear in mind that Dr. Johnson was not discussing tax systems or rates, but reduction of state expenditures. The Bulletin and Mr. Gauer change the subject from reducing state expenditures, to forms of state taxation, and then tell only a half truth. Of course, utility and corporation taxes pay the state's share of school expense, but those two groups also pay for the other 43 per cent of the state's expenditures. California's dual system of taxation provides the state shall tax utilities and corporations, and the counties and cities other property, and inoperative property of utilities. To carry the Bulletin's and Mr. Gauer's arguments further, because utilities and corporations pay state expenses, we not only should refuse to cut educational costs, but foist more and greater expenses of all governmental departments upon the state because corporations and utilities must pay. The fallacy of this assumption was pointed out previously. In fairness to Dr. Johnson, we wish to see his views treated with an open mind. In the interests of justice to ourselves in revamping our tax system and revising governmental costs, for city, county, state and nation, we want prejudice exposed. OUR MOST POWERFUL LOBBY Assemblymen and state senators—we have talked to several in recent months—return from Sacramento with impressive stories about the workings of the California Teachers' association lobby. This lobby, run chiefly by two men who are known among the assemblymen and senators as the highest paid lobby- ANAHEIM GAZETTE CANT' SOMEBODY HEAD 'EM OFF? ... By Albert T. Reid OUR OLD FARM INVESTMENT FIRST MORTGAGE SECOND MORTGAGE TAXES INTEREST ists in California, recently was effective in defeating a proposal to submit to a vote of the people the question of reducing the state's fixed constitutional charge of $30 for every student in elementary and high schools of California. ists in California, recently was effective in defeating a proposal to submit to a vote of the people the question of reducing the state's fixed constitutional charge of $30 for every student in elementary and high schools of California. In other words, the largest single group of employees in public service in California, organized to tell their employers, the people of the state, that they cannot even have the privilege of voting for a reduction of educational costs. Parent-Teacher associations all over the state suddenly joined the hue and cry against the measure. Our own fourth district P.-T. A. urged all members to send telegrams or write Senator Nelson T. Edwards and Assemblyman Edward Craig urging them to vote against the measure. This kind of propaganda worked. Thousands upon thousands of parents and teachers wrote to their legislative representatives protesting against any reduction of state support to schools. Many of those writing and sending telegrams honestly believed our schools would be closed should the legislature approve a plan which would have needed an affirmative ballot by the citizens of the state before it could become law. The teachers' association is comprised of 38,000 members. This figure is taken from the association's own publicity, which weekly floods the desks of newspapers throughout the state. The teachers pay $3 each per year for membership dues. This means an income of $114,000 for the association. Other income, such as advertising in the association's magazine, boosts the total. Headquarters expense is nominal, so the greater portion of the money received is available for such purposes as lobbying. Not all this, of course, is spent on purely selfish interests. The teachers themselves are among the most intelligent and loyal groups in the state. But the "educational trust" they have set up at Sacramento threatens to become a boomerang, and work greater harm than good for the school children of California. WHERE OUR MONEY GOES Assemblyman Edward Craig, quoting statistics from the highway department, gives us an idea of how efficiently the road bond system has worked in financing our highways. In 20 years, California has sold $70,000,000 of state highway bonds. In this time, the Golden State has paid $91,000,000 interest and $16,000,000 principal, making a total outlay today of $105,000,000. We still owe $56,000,000 of the original $70,000,000. And yet there are those among us who want to get a penny today and pay a dollar tomorrow, by voting bonds for every conceivable purpose. REVOLUTION — AMERICAN STYLE A couple of weeks ago a Senate committee in Washington was warned that there would be a revolution in America if the farmers did not get immediate relief from their difficulties. We don't agree with this point of view. All the indications We still owe $56,000,000 of the original $70,000,000. And yet there are those among us who want to get a penny today and pay a dollar tomorrow, by voting bonds for every conceivable purpose. REVOLUTION — AMERICAN STYLE A couple of weeks ago a Senate committee in Washington was warned that there would be a revolution in America if the farmers did not get immediate relief from their difficulties. We don't agree with this point of view. All the indications are that the revolution in America has already begun and that it will go on regardless of the question of farm relief. Of course, what the gentleman in Washington was talking about was the kind of revolutions we read about, in Russia and Spain and South America, where an armed force seizes the government and proceeds to reorganize it at the point of the bayonet. We don't think there is the slightest danger of that kind of a revolution in the United States. What we are talking about is revolution in the American style, which consists of changing the methods and operations of our government by what the Constitution calls "due process of law." We have been going through revolution after revolution of that kind ever since the armed revolution of 1776, which won us our national independence. Our whole scheme and system of government is as different from any thing which was imagined by the gentlemen who framed our Constitution in 1787 as chalk is from cheese. Sometimes by the interpretation of the Supreme Court, sometimes by actual amendment, we have changed that document and its applications into some thing that Franklin, Washington, Adams and Madison and the rest would never recognize. What is going on now, as a result of the widespread distress and the multiplication in the number of debtors, may easily amount to another series of radical changes in our entire governmental scheme. The people are in the mood for change. The resistance of the creditor class to the demands for debtors for relief is weaker than it has been at any previous time. The debtor class today includes not only farmers but industrial workers, business men and great corporations. In the light of this state of affairs it is natural to expect that Congress will respond by carrying the new concepts of the functions of government into fields of which the founders of the Republic never dreamed. If they do, it will, in essence, amount to a revolution; but it will merely be another revolution, American style, in the long series of revolutions through which we have come successfully. BRUCT BARTON writes of "THE MASTER EXECUTIVE" Supplying a week-to-week inspiration for the heavy-burdened who will find every human trail paralleled in the experiences of "The Man Nobody Knows." ALL MEN CREATED EQUAL What was there for Jesus to add? It was a thought more splendid than all which had gone before and it has altered the current of history. He invited frail bewildered humanity to stand upright and look at God face to face! He called upon men to throw fear, disregard the limitations of their mortality, and claim the Lord of Creation as Father. It is the basis of all revolt, all democracy. For if God is the Father of all men, then all are his children and hence the commonest is equally as precious as the king. No wonder the authorities trembled. They were not fools; they recognized the implications of the teaching. Either Jesus' life or their power must go. No wonder that succeeding generations of authorities have embroidered his Idea and corrupted it, so that the simplest faith in the world has become a complex thing of form and ritual, of enforced observances and "thou shall nots." It was too dangerous a Power to be allowed to wander the world, unleashed and uncontrolled. This then was what Jesus wished to send to all creation, through the instrumentality of his eleven men. What were his methods of training? How did he meet prospective believers? How did he deal with objections? By what sort of strategy did he interest and persuade? He was making the journey back from Jerusalem after his spectacular triumph in cleansing the Temple, when he came to Jacob's Well, and being tired, sat down. His disciples had stopped behind at one of the villages to purchase food, so he was alone. The well furnished the water-supply for the neighboring city of the Samaritans, and after a little time a woman came out to it, carrying her pitcher on her shoulder. Between her people, the Samaritans, and his people the Jews, there was a feud of centuries. To be touched by even the shadow of a Samaritan was defilement according to the strict code of the Pharisees; to speak to one was a crime. The woman made no concealment of her resentment at finding him there. Almost any remark from his lips would have kindled her anger. She would at least have turned away in scorn; she might have summoned her relatives and driven him off. An impossible situation, you will admit. How could he meet it? How give his message to one who was forbidden by everything holy to listen? The incident is very revealing: there are times when any word is the wrong word; when only silence can prevail. Jesus knew well this precious secret. As the woman drew closer he made no move to indicate that he was conscious of her approach. His gaze was upon the ground. When he spoke it was quietly, musingly, as if to himself: "If you knew who I am," he said, "you would not need to come out here for water, I would give you living water." Next Week: The Center of Interest Copyright, Bobbs-Merrill Co. OBSERVATIONS GETTING MEAT OUT OF THE COCOANUT When a guy gets into a mess and makes the front page you may rest YOU TELL EM Sometime back a man riz up and said there would be heavy rains in November. He based his guess on signs he OBSERVATIONS GETTING MEAT OUT OF THE COCOANUT When a guy gets into a mess and makes the front page you may rest assured the wind is all taken out of the sails when the incident drops into a corner of one of the inside pages. THE COCK-EYED WORLD About every so often things become topsy-turvey and people wonder why. Maybe it is just like the old gray mare. She gets sick and then you have to doctor her up. Congress has a case on hand. That august body should do something in the nursing line now that the patient is convalescing. OLE MAN GETS A BREAK A couple in the amusement sector married and lived together a whole year before the wife sued for divorce. It is believed the lady didn't do it sooner because she didn't want her friends to think she walked out on him. BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND DEEP BLUE SEA Lots of folks say that are opposed prohibition—but they don't want the saloon. The plot thickens. If the saloon did come back wouldn't the racketeers put the keeper on the spot—if he didn't play ball. YES, SIR, THE DIE IS CAST Prohibition may come and prohibition may go, but racketeers will go on forever. PUT ALL THEIR EGGS IN ONE BASKET The well meaning but misguided farmers in the midwest went on strike and tried to stop produce from outside places going to market. They only put more sand in the sugar. They should, if possible, cooperate among themselves. Learn to raise what is needed, and stop overproduction, ask congress to put suitable tariff on what they raise in order that they must not compete with cheap foreign labor. Wheat, for instance comes in from Russia, and American wheat raisers juggle mortgages. Stop that! This country must develop its natural resources. That would make business and give employment to thousands of laborers. Elect men to congress who know something and who will do something—besides drawing their salaries. YOU TELL EM Sometimes back a man riz up and said there would be heavy rains in November. He based his guess on signs he got from gophers, horned toads, ants and the bark of the trees. The oldest inhabitant here predicts rains sometimes, and he bases his guess on how much his corns hurt, how his rheumatic progresses and sometimes counts on the dip of the moon. They all have their bearings, but believe it or not it has been dry, even though we have prohibition, and the boulder dam which will be ready in about ten years. Other prognosticators wait until the rain gets here and then tell you it's wet. TOOK HIS OWN MEDICINE Back east a man whipped his boy with a lash and was sent to jail. Some of the boys doing their stretch in that jail held a kangaroo court and gave the man 15 lashes on his back and then asked him how he liked it. HOLE IN THE DOUGHNUT Some highup office men when elected take up the first year figuring out what they are going to do with all their salary, and after getting all set for the fireworks the second year, lo and behold they are defeated at the old home town election—and they don't amount to much. THE SPARE TIRE Some folks wonder why a candidate for vice-president does not take more interest in the elections. There may be a possibility that the steering committee holds him back because he might steal the show if he went around making speeches and kissing the babies, but yet again the wheelhorse of the parties might have a hunch the people don't like to listen to the second fiddler, while the bobillink is singing sweetly in the trees. PAPA GOES BYE-BYE After the mayor of an eastern city kicked up a mess and drew the front page, he ups and walks out on the boys, leaves the janitor busy sweeping up the wise cracks, and goes far, far away to think it ovah. GOSH, FELLERS, YOU CAN'T EXPECT THE STOREKEEPER TO BE A MIND READER There awhile ago a high court gave an important ruling about malt prod- and stop overproduction, ask congress to put suitable tariff on what they raise in order that they must not compete with cheap foreign labor. Wheat, for instance comes in from Russia, and American wheat raisers juggle mortgages. Stop that! This country must develop its natural resources. That would make business and give employment to thousands of laborers. Elect men to congress who know something and who will do something—besides drawing their salaries. had found an iron pot containing thirty thousand dollars in old coins buried in the ground. And from out in Arkansas comes the report that workers for the American Red Cross have turned up nearly six thousand dollars that was hidden by an ancient hermit who committed suicide a few weeks ago, after writing instructions to the Red Cross workers how to find his buried treasure. Adventurers are still searching for pirate gold on various islands of the West Indies, and dredging the deep seas for sunken treasure ships. It is the most fascinating fame imaginable, but those who play it seldom win. SECURITY - In old age pension My friends of the American Association for Old Age Security report that efforts are being made by politicians in several states to abolish their old age pension systems, on the plea of economy, and go back to the horrors of the town and county poor houses. It seems to me that this is about the last place to practice economy. Of course, the poorhouses made jobs for politicians and profits for local tradesmen supplying bad food at high prices. The experience has always been that almshouse support of the indigent poor costs twice as much as providing the small pension of five or six dollars a week to every needy person of advanced years. Twenty Legislatures have old age pension bills up for consideration now. I hope and believe that the time will come soon when every American can look forward to have at least enough to live on after reaching the age of sixty-five or perhaps seventy. If this be socialism make the most of it. PAPA GOES BYE-BYE After the mayor of an eastern city kicked up a mess and drew the front page, he ups and walks out on the boys, leaves the janitor busy sweeping up the wise cracks, and goes far, far away to think it ovah. GOSH, FELLERS, YOU CAN'T EXPECT THE STOREKEEPER TO BE A MIND READER There awhile ago a high court gave an important ruling about malt products, bottles, caps, and whatnots. The court held that while the articles used were susceptible of legal and also illegal use, in the case at issue, the court held there was not sufficient evidence that the defendant possessed the articles with intent they be sold for the purpose of manufacturing intoxicating liquor. ROCKABYE BABY In the amusement sector a man who had three wives (all divorced) recently hitch-hiked up to the alter with another actress and wed again. This lady has made the thrilling and unexpected announcement that she will give up her career in the halls of fame and be just a plain homelike missus, and won't take a chance of rocking the matrimonial boat by having two many stars in one family. It is said the husband is a big star in the movies, and it is hoped all the other stars in the family of the future will be little twinkling ones. HERE, KITTY, KITTY, KITTY Every once in awhile a jungle "pitcher" comes along, but the other day a hair raiser was put on the bulletin board. It said it was taken down in the African wilds where no white man ever set a hoof before, and the natives eat 'em alive, too. Well, you know, a panther and a tiger were put to work so often in a fight that the fans sort of woke up and recognized the spots. The jungle scenery was of such similarity where the beasts "fit" that the guys in the audience had a notion that the wild ones must have been in an enclosure somewhere in peaceful territory, and must be thoroughly domesticated by now.