anaheim-gazette 1934-10-04

THE GAZETTE Is Now In Its 64th Year OLDEST PAPER IN THE COUNTY 108 NORTH EMILY STREET VOL. LXIV ANAHEIM'S SOLVENT CONDITION AND LOW TAX RATE WIN PRAISE OF CALIFORNIA CITY OFFICIALS Municipal Chieftains Request Copies of Report Made To Convention at Pasadena by Councilman Leo J. Sheridan; Profits of Electrical Distributing System Studied for Lowering Taxes California municipal officials this week turned their attention to Anaheim's exceptionally solvent condition, her low tax rate, and particularly to her municipally-owned power lines and distributing system as a means of producing a handsome net profit through which general taxes may be reduced, while maintaining more than average services to her citizens. This tremendous interest was evident at the city hall as scores of applications from city officials throughout the state were received for copies of the report made by Councilman Leo J. Sheridan at the California League of Municipalities convention in Pasadena last week. WHAT IF UPTON SINCLAIR WERE NEXT GOVERNOR? This Question Pondered By One Of State's Clearest, Most Liberal Thinkers By CHESTER H. ROWELL Suppose that—as is mathematically possible—a division of the majority vote against him should elect Upton Sinclair Governor-of-California. What would that give us? Not the "EPIC" plan, certainly. That This Question Pondered By One Of State's Clearest, Most Liberal Thinkers By CHESTER H. ROWELL Suppose that—as is mathematically possible—a division of the majority vote against him should elect Upton Sinclair Governor-of California. What would that give us? Not the "EPIC" plan, certainly. That is out. If there are those, and the primary vote shows that there are many—who rest illusory hopes in this visionary plan, they may as well deflate those hopes at once. Whatever else happens, this at least will not. This, too, is mathematical. There are 40 members of the state senate and 80 of the Assembly. Only three Sinclair-indorsed candidates won any nomination for the senate. If all three of these were elected, the majority against him would be 37 to 3. Even assuming that he might pick up some votes among the 20 "holdover" senators, it is quite inconceivable that he could ever get a majority in the Senate. For the assembly, 37 Sinclair-indorsed candidates won one or another nomination. Not all of these are pledged to him, and by no means all of them will be elected. They are not enough even to put his program into the democratic platform, and even in the impossible event of all of them being elected, and all of them "sticking," they would still be four short of a majority. So it is a mathematical impossibility to put the "plan" through the legislature. Even if, by methods familiar to governors who have patronage to distribute, this mathematical impossibility did happen, there would still be a vote of the people—by referendum, if the measures passed, and by initiative if they did not. But the primary vote shows that the large majority of the people of California are against Sinclair and all his works. While it would be mathematically possible to elect him, by a division of the opposing majority, it would not be possible to pass his measures. What, then? If Sinclair, as Governor, could not impose his "EPIC" on us—what could he do? A lot! He could thrust us into turmoil for at least a year, and keep business in the jitters for the remainder of four years. First in the legislature, and then in the initiative and referendum election to follow, we would be in a continuous net profits made by the power and lighting system, which enabled Anaheim to cut her general tax rate to 20 cents in contrast to an average of about 88 cents in most other communities of California having comparable services and populations of approximately 10,000. This saving of 68 cents in general tax rate was obtained from the average yearly net profit during the past five years of $70,691.44 from the electrical distributing system. Gross profit for the period from 1929-30 through 1933-34 was $491,154.70. Depreciation was $137,697.47 and net profit for the same period of $353,457.23. Anaheim's remarkable record began when the city gave up its attempts to produce electricity and started buying it from the Southern California Edison company, distributing the power through the municipally-owned system. Since 1929-30 the distributing system has been greatly improved until now it is in "infinitely better condition that it was in 1930," according to the report. Anaheim started operation of its first municipal light and power system on April 13, 1895, when it was operated and maintained by the water department, with offices on West Cypress street. The original plan was steam operated, delivering 1100 volts. It was designed by E. C. Sharp, consulting engineer of a company who wished to get a franchise here, but he remained with the city when it refused the franchise. In 1907 a new steam plant was built on the South Los Angeles street location, now occupied by the department. The new plant developed 2200 volts. In 1912 additions were made, but in 1916 the generating unit added in 1912 was discontinued and the city started utilizing power delivered by the Edison company. Another unit, a 325 KVA, was installed in October, 1927, to carry the water pumping load. It was discarded in 1930, the city on May 12 beginning purchase of all its power from the Edison company. Total capital investment of the municipal system in 1930 was $376,011.03, fixed partly on the basis of valuations placed by appraisers of the Edison company in 1930. The light and power lines were valued at $255,465.55 by Edison appraisers. The city placed a value of $58,448 on land and buildings, $17,788.75 on its switchboard, $36,287.34 on meters and connections, $5,189.89 on miscellaneous equipment, and $832.50 (Continued on page 6) Governor Merriam May Attend Rally Unless unforeseen developments prevailed George Bender, 30-Year Resident of Anaheim, Killed In Auto Accident The head-on collision of two automobiles at the intersection of Stanton and Ball roads at 1 p.m. Sunday, causing the death of George Bender, 78-year-old pioneer carpenter and contractor of Anaheim, and Mrs. Amanda A. McCauley, 58, of Pasadena, was accidental in the findings of a coroner's jury meeting at Backs, Terry and Campbell parlors Tuesday afternoon. Mr. Bender was killed instantly, his small coupe being crushed to the ground, Mrs. McCauley was rushed to the Buena Park hospital where she died soon from skull injuries. She was riding in a car driven by her son, Gordon, 24, who suffered broken ribs. Her husband was killed in an automobile accident about a year ago. Funeral services for Mr. Bender were held at St. Boniface Catholic church Wednesday morning. Rosary was recited Tuesday evening at the funeral parlor. Pallbearers were John Kirsch, Henry Nau, John Bastian, F. A. Backs, Al Erickson and C. J. Weber. Mr. Bender was a member of both the Knights of Columbus and the Holy Name society. Burial was at the Holy Sepulchre cemetery. Mr. Bender is survived by his widow, Rosa. The couple have lived at the family home at 611 West Broadway for many years. They came here from Ohio 30 years ago, and have no children. He is survived by two brothers, Anthony, of Albany, Oregon, and John, of Scio, Oregon. Governor Merriam May Attend Rally Unless unforeseen developments prevent his attending, Governor Frank F. Merriam will deliver the principle address at the republican rally to be held at P. A. Stanton's Brookhurst road home Saturday at 1 o'clock, Chairman Homer Chaney of Santa Ana announces. All local republican candidates, Assemblymen Ted Craig and James Utt and Senator Nelson T. Edwards, will be present as will George Hatfield, republican candidate for lieutenant governor. Three hundred persons are expected to attend. Kiwanians Toll Instruct the Vocational Director L. Pullerton junior college members of the Kiwanis political and financial America depends more than upon government, service clubs concentrate personal attention to you guide them into the right time. 40 In Kiwanis At Whittier Anaheim Kiwanians are attending the forum he Tuesday night numbered witnessed Buena Park a Park capture first and forum contest, thus win to send speakers to the meeting at San Diego. SCHOOL IS RE-ISSUE THE Mexican school East La Palma street will be welcomed. Mrs. Santa Ana will address "French Youth." Miss bell will have charge on program. The office of Seitz, recording Secretary because Mrs. Seitz resigns of health. The second program arrives January when members Colony chapter will talk tough study of "Historic California." The third event is scheduleduary, when women of district will present an antique complete plans for ven been arranged yet. AHEIM GAZETE ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA, THURSDAY, OCTOBER, 4, 1934 Big Boy, Take A Bow! by A. B. Chapin PUBLIC INTEREST NATIONAL LEAGUE Anaheim D. A. R. Planning Three Special Events Guests Eligible For Members To Be Welcomed at the Oct. 19 Meeting The Mother Colony chapter D. A. R. Pioneer house, located at Sycamore and West streets, will be open every Friday afternoon of this month between the hours of 2 and 5 e'clock, according to announcements early this week. Mrs. L. C. Deming, Mrs. Honor H. Easton and Mrs. W. M. Chambers are hostesses for the month. Three highlights of the Mother Colony chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, program for the coming year were announced this week by Mrs. Honor Easton, program chairman. The first program will be October 19, when guests eligible to membership will be welcomed. Mrs. T. H. Glenn of Santa Ana will address the group on "French Youth." Miss Ethel Campbell will have charge of the musical program. The office of Mrs. Nelle Seitz, recording Secretary, will be filled because Mrs. Seitz resigned on account of health. The second program announced is for January when members of the Mother Colony chapter will take up a thorough study of "Historic Spots of California." UPTON SINCLAIR CONDEMNS ALL RELIGIONS "There are a score of great religions in the world, each with a score or hundreds of sects, each with its priestly orders, its complicated creed and ritual, its heavens and hells. Each has its thousands or millions or hundreds of millions of 'true believers'; each damns all the others with more or less heartiness—and each is a mighty fortress of graft."—From "The Profits of Religion," by Upton Sinclair, 1931 edition, Page 23. Receive Details of New Tax Laws Details of Governor Frank F. Merriam's moratorium on sale of tax delinquent property at public auction and on penalties for tax delinquency were received this week by officials at the city hall. The law was passed at the special session of the legislature two weeks ago. It provides for dropping of old penalties and interest on delinquent taxes for payment of seven per cent interest on delinquencies from July 1, 1934, for parties paying now; for the first of ten annual installments on delinquent taxes to begin April 30, 1935. These provisions apply to both county and city properties. Taxes for the year 1934-35, however, are not affected. Ted Craig Opens Election Drive, Favors Pensions Declares Straight Thinking, Plan Talk, Honest Dealing Needed Now Speaking before the Lions club of his home city—Brea, Assemblyman Ted Craig opened his campaign for re-election Wednesday. Craig was guest-speaker, declaring "what we need now is plain talk, straight thinking, and honest dealing." He discussed the principal problems of vital interest to the district, county, state and nation, and frankly gave his views on each to them. Relief of unemployment, economy in governmental costs, old age pensions, tax relief, were touched upon by the speaker who declared himself in favor of an adequate program of unemployment insurance, a fair old age pension plan, increased returns from the gas tax to cities and a modification of the state sales tax to exempt basic food commodities. "We must bring relief to those citizens who, through no fault of their own, find themselves out of employment and in dire straits. We must assure them of the necessities of life and what is more important we must strive to find means to assure them of opportunities to help themselves," Craig stated. As a member of the ways and means committee of the last legislature, and as chairman of a sub-committee, Craig will be welcomed. Mrs. T. H. Glenn of Santa Ana will address the group on "French Youth." Miss Ethel Campbell will have charge of the musical program. The office of Mrs. Nellie Seitz, recording Secretary, will be filled because Mrs. Seitz resigned on account of health. The second program announced is for January when members of the Mother Colony chapter will take up a thorough study of "Historic Spots of California." The third event is scheduled for February, when women of the Magnolia district will present an elaborate pageant, complete plans for which have not been arranged yet. Kiwanians Told To Instruct the Young Vocational Director L. O. Clup of the Pullerton Junior college Tuesday told members of the Kiwanis club that political and financial stabilization of America depends more upon youth than upon government, and urged that service clubs concentrate on giving personal attention to young people to guide them into the right channels at this time. 40 In Kiwanis Party At Whittier Forum Anahiem Kiwanians and their wives attending the forum held at Whittier Tuesday night numbered 40. They witnessed Buena Park and Huntington Park capture first and second in the forum contest, thus winning the right to send speakers to the western division meeting at San Diego. SCHOOL IS RE-ROOFED The Mexican school house at 333 East La Palma street will be re-roofed at a cost of $75, according to a permit issued Tuesday by the city building department. Council Decides On 2 New Tennis Courts City councilmen, meeting informally Tuesday evening, decided that the two new tennis courts at the city park shall be constructed of cement and shaded a darker hue than those now built. They will be enclosed in a new galvanized fence, and the present fence around the other courts will be dipped in a galvanizing coating. City Employes To Protect Property To give employees in the city park, on the city ranch an din the public service department authority to protect city property, the council Tuesday night voted to order 21 city badges. Headquarters For Merriam Open Here Merriam for Governor headquarters opened at 107 South Los Angeles street Tuesday, with an attendant available throughout the day. The telephone is 2406. Ship 75 Carloads of Local Valencias Two of the 75 carloads of valencias shipped this week through the Central Orange County Citrus Exchange went to European markets, the balance to domestic. RE-ROOFS HOME Mrs. W. Stopper two out a permit to re-roof her home at 323 South Illinois street at an estimated cost of $90. "We must bring relief to those citizens who, through no fault of their own, find themselves out of employment and in dire straits. We must assure them of the necessities of life and what is more important we must strive to find means to assure them of opportunities to help themselves," Craig stated. As a member of the ways and means committee of the last legislature, and as chairman of a sub-committee, Craig was largely responsible for a reduction in the budget for the state government of 28 per cent, thru saving approximately $12,000,000 to the taxpayers of the state. In his talk, Craig declared there are needless duplication of bureaus, commissions, boards and departments, and if elected he pledged himself to strive to eradicate those which may be dispensed with, and to consolidate others with a vast saving to the tax-payers, and without loss of needed functions. Craig pledged continued aid for our school system which he declared one of the finest in the country, and which the state must continue to aid. The speaker pointed out that he introduced into the assembly, and secured passage of, a bill to return a quarter of a cent of the gas tax to the cities, thus effecting quite a saving to those cities. He also declared his opinion that that return should be increased to half a cent, with further beneficial results to the cities. He also expressed the opinion that our county road tax can eventually be replaced by the state adsorbing our county roads into the state system. Craig declared his purpose, if re-elected, to work for the solution of all the problems discussed, and pointed, to his six years of service in the assembly as a guide to the citizens in determining their choice on November 6. RE-ROOFS HOME Mrs. W. Stopper two out a permit to re-roof her home at 323 South Illinois street at an estimated cost of $90. Henry Mang To Invite I. O. O. F. To Encamp Here Delegate Henry Mang of the Anaheim lodge, I. O. O. F., leaves the later part of this week to extend an invitation fro mhis own organization and local civic groups to hold the 1935 grand encampment in this city. The encampment would bring the Patriarchs Militant, colorful drill teams of the lodge, and the auxiliary, all of them staying approximately a week in the city. Officials estimate about 1500 persons would attend the encampment. The American Legion post Monday night adopted a resolution instructing its adjutant to send an invitation to the Old Follows, and offered assistance to local I. O. O. F. to make the encampment a success. County’s School Population Is 907 Less Than in 1932 Decreasing Birthrate Since 1921 Given as Reason For Declining Enrollment The elementary school population of Orange county has decreased twice in the past five years, according to a study of average daily attendance in grades PREPARES SUIT TO HALT WASTE BY GUN CLUBS District Attorney Kaufman Seeks Injunction In New Water Move Gun clubs of Orange county, long the enemy of farmers fighting for conservation of water in the underground basin, notify face a suit seeking permanent injunction against their water-wasting activities to be filed in the superior court probably Friday of this week by District Attorney S. B. Kaufman. Kaufman on Wednesday announced his intention to bring the issue to a head immediately, saying he hoped to have the suit ready for filing by Friday, or at the latest, early next week. At the same time, he said the district attorney's office will take every measure possible to prosecute violators of the county ordinance designed to prohibit pumping water to attract wild birds, termed Water District Board Director W. C. Mauerhan as a "non-beneficial use." Kaufman put the lie to the rumor spread that his office either directly or indirectly had given permission to the clubs to pump water so long as a suit was not filed against them. Previous suits against clubs, in which convictions have been attained, were Decreasing Birthrate Since 1921 Given as Reason For Declining Enrollment The elementary school population of Orange county has decreased twice in the past five years, according to a study of average daily attendance in grades one to eight of California schools, recently completed by California Tax-payers' association. Elementary school attendance in the county declined 5.1 per cent from its peak year 1932, when it was 17,673 to 16,766 in 1934, reported N. Bradford Trenham, educational counselor of the association. Since 1930, the study points out, only ten of the 58 counties of the state, Alpine, El Dorado, Los Angeles, Nevada, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Francisco, Trinity, and Ventura, have shown no decline in elementary school average daily attendance. Two of the ten, Los Angeles and San Francisco, do not belong in this class, according to Mr. Trenham, for their attendance has been bolstered by the state law on emergency average daily attendance. Modoc county has suffered the heaviest decline from its peak year, with a drop of 12.5 per cent since 1930, the study found. Nexxt comes San Benito, with a fall of 11.7 per cent since its peak year 1931. Others heavily hit are Mayo and Maddern, with 8 per cent from 1931 and 1930 respectively. Tuolumne with 7.2 per cent from 1930, and Colusa with 6.1 per cent since 1931, its peak year. "California is not unique in declining elementary school population," Mr. Trenham declares. "It is a national situation. When American births drop from 2,600,000 in 1921 to 1,900,000 in 1933, there is no way of preventing a falling off in school enrollments at least until 1939 or 1940. In many places acute declines are found, especially in the lower grades. These lower grades being "feeders" for the upper grades, foretell what to expect in the high schools and colleges during the next few years." Ineligible Player Dims Gridiron Hopes Because Woodrow (Tex) Hooser, the spark plug of Anaheim Colonists' football team's backfield, failed to attend school last semester, he is ineligible to play with the squad this year, according to Principal J. A. Claye. are possible to prosecute violators of the county ordinance designed to prohibit pumping water to attract wild birds termed Water District Board Director W. C. Mauerhan as a "non-beneficial use." Kaufman put the lie to the rumor spread that his office either directly or indirectly had given permission to the clubs to pump water so long as a suit was not lied against them. Previous suits against clubs, in which convictions have been attained, were on criminal charges. The injunction suit contemplated by Kaufman is designated to bring the case before a civil court for the purpose of strengthening the position of the county in preventing water waste. The ordinance recently was strengthened to include a definition stating that pumping water to attract wild birds was wasteful. If the injunction suit is granted, gun club officials themselves indicate their pumping activities may cease. Representatives of the clubs sought to have the supervisors change a clause in the ordinance which prohibits pumping to attract wild birds. The supervisors lagged politely, then refused to change the heart of the ordinance designed to conserve underground water supplies of the basin. Several arguments were advanced by Lee G. McLaughlin of the Los Patos club who said for one thing that if the clubs could not pump to attract birds they would be forced to turn the lands over for farming, in which case he argued they would use more water than at present. He also voiced the opinion that golf clubs are using more than the 31 inches allowed by the new ordinance. Mauerhan, answering the arguments of gun club officials, declared that gun club lanes could not be profitably used for farming, and said that there was not enough water for the good land, let alone poor farming areas. The same line of argument used before juries in justice of peace courts to justify their pumping activities was advanced by McLaughlin. He went on to say that there was a surplus of water in the western part of the county that pumping was beneficial because it permitted reclaiming of alkali lands, and that the gun club lands are used for pastureage during a greater part of the year. These arguments that the pumping really was for agricultural purposes, when the purpose of the ordinance to prevent wasting water is to conserve it for agricultural purposes, has been the stumbling block of previous enforcement efforts because juries would not convict. Ineligible Player Dims Gridiron Hopes Because Woodrow (Tex) Hooser, the spark plug of Anaheim Colonists' football team's backfield, failed to attend school last semester, he is ineligible to play with the squad this year, according to Principal J. A. Glayes. The Texan transferred to the local high school this fall and showed up exceptionally well in practice, but is subject to C. L. F. rules and hence ineligible. He was to start in the full-back berth Friday when the Colonists meet the Brea-Olinda Wildcats in their first league game. Coach Dick Glover announces that Art Schwarting will fill in at the key position. Building Permits Showing Increase Building permits in Anaheim totaled $8905 for September, just $67,893 for the year to date, according to Inspector R. Nyboe. In 1933 permits for the month totaled $2851, and the period to October 1, just $52,999. Hallowe’en Parade Will Feature Novel Stunts; Window Decorations Featured If northern Orange county residents could pull a Rip Van Winkle to wake up along Center street in Anaheim on Halloween night they would rub their eyes in astonishment as monstrous heads come bobbing down the thoroughfare, as witches and goblins and spooks bring to life childhood nightmares. Intermingled with the annual Hallowe’en classic, however, are enough humorous incidents to make the whole program one of delight for young and old. In these parades Anaheim merchants have caught the spirit of Hallowe’en, making the celebration one of the outstanding affairs of the year in the county. This Hallowe’en will differ only in the larger scale of attractions, according to Executive Committeemen Lotus H. Loudon, E. M. Keath, Ernest DuBols and Harold Kelrsey, who this week admonished merchants-to: "Center beautiful floats as well as humorous and grotesque ones." "Urge the costume idea on all marchers." "Begin planning a real display for your windows immediately. Don't think because you have a pumpkin and an aeron in your window that it is decorated." And warned: "Don't be afraid to spend a little money on a float or on your windows. It will come back to you many times." Secretary George Reid of the Merchants and Manufacturers association announced that 24 replies pledging $100 has been received from 465 letters mailed 10 days ago. The committee went into a huddle on novel features and came out with the announcement that not all details had been completed, but that the parade would be the best in the city’s histroy.