anaheim-gazette 1935-04-04

THE ANAHEIM GAZETTE HENRY KUCHEL, Editor and Publisher ESTABLISHED 1870 ISSUED EVERY THURSDAY SUBSCRIPTION PER YEAR ... $2.00 SIX MONTHS ... $1.00 Entered at the Anaheim, California Postoffice as second-class matter. CHANGE OF PROGRAM A great many people—not all of them political opponents—do not seem to be exactly happy over the results of certain phases of the programs of the NRA and the AAA. Among those prominently identified with the work who seem to be particularly unhappy on occasions is Secretary Wallace of the United States Department of Agriculture. In his testimony recently to a House Appropriations Subcommittee on the Agriculture Supply Bill for 1936, Mr. Wallace took occasion to express some of this unhappiness. The Secretary admitted that at best the farm program falls below the needs of the country and of the farmer. He thought there ought to be an increase of thirty to forty per cent in the output of manufactured goods in the United States so that the farmers could benefit through lower prices for what they buy and the entire country get into better condition. Mr. Wallace is quoted by the Associated Press as stating, in part: “If in some way it were possible to turn out 50 per cent more industrial goods at a price definitely lower than the present price the result would be to give a very material benefit to agriculture, to make it possible for agriculture to buy more with the agricultural dollar, and there would be more factory workers to be fed in the cities.” “What methods should be used to bring about that increase is certainly not for me to say,” the Secretary declared. He also asserted: “We have reached the conclusion that further action along the line of reducing production will not greatly increase the farmer’s share in the national income.” But Mr. Wallace who is a good New Dealer ought to remember “If in some way it were possible to turn out 50 per cent more industrial goods at a price definitely lower than the present price the result would be to give a very material benefit to agriculture, to make it possible for agriculture to buy more with the agricultural dollar, and there would be more factory workers to be fed in the cities.” “What methods should be used to bring about that increase is certainly not for me to say,” the Secretary declared. He also asserted: “We have reached the conclusion that further action along the line of reducing production will not greatly increase the farmer’s share in the national income.” But Mr. Wallace who is a good New Dealer ought to remember that it was the New Deal plan to increase the costs of prices of manufactured goods through increase in wages and raw materials so that the whole country would benefit. Now if we increase manufactured production fifty per cent and glut the market, prices may go down. Then the workers will be out of jobs. And how are they then to buy the farm products which have already been made higher in price by plowing under corn and slaughtering pigs with the efficient assistance of Mother Nature's drought? If we are to increase the supply of manufactured goods 50 per cent to make them cheaper for the farmer why not increase the supply of agricultural products so the factory worker will be happy? Usually what is sauce for the gander is sauce for the goose. If finished goods have been made so high in price that the farmer suffers in buying them, then it may be equally true that the same thing has happened to the wage worker in regard to farm products. The higher the prices of meat and flour, the less the people in the city and town buy. It is the same theory in reverse. Mr. Wallace is quoted as admitting that the AAA cannot give the farmers much additional benefit by crop restriction. This is doubtless true. Higher prices either in finished good or raw materials may well encourage a buyers' strike, and stimulate imports over our tariff wall. This is already happening in the case of many farm products. Alien growers, encouraged by our crop restrictions are raising bigger and better crops to take the markets away from our growers. Certainly further restricting our crops will aggravate rather than reduce the complaint. Perhaps, after all, in trying to regulate supply and demand and make men prosperous by human law we have overdone it a little. Maybe it would have been better to restore things before reforming them. If we were going to run for President on a third party ticket next year we would promise every voter a new car, a tankful of gasoline and a ticket to the world series. THE SITUATION CHANGETH The second half of President Roosevelt's administration is now under way and political commentators are beginning to draw a contrast between political conditions now and two years ago. Although the administration has enjoyed a public support rarely equalled in modern American politics, there are indications that more political troubles are just ahead than was deemed possible. A comparison of the conditions now with those of two years ago is not without interest and significance. At the beginning of the administration the dramatic action in the bank crisis elicited full political and public approval. Congressional leaders vied with one another in doing the will of the administration, in turning over authority to the executive department without stopping to consider the constitutionality of the action. A stateman of either under way and political commentators are beginning to draw a contrast between political conditions now and two years ago. Although the administration has enjoyed a public support rarely equalled in modern American politics, there are indications that more political troubles are just ahead than was deemed possible. A comparison of the conditions now with those of two years ago is not without interest and significance. At the beginning of the administration the dramatic action in the bank crisis elicited full political and public approval. Congressional leaders vied with one another in doing the will of the administration, in turning over authority to the executive department without stopping to consider the constitutionality of the action. A stateman of either party who dared to question the action was regarded as a hopeless reactionary. The New Deal had brought us a new era in which rugged individualism had passed and the government was going to see to it that everyone who deserved was comfortable and comparatively as well off as his neighbor. The action and promises of the majority were greeted with unbounded enthusiasm by that considerable portion of our citizenry known as the “left.” Two short years have brought some interesting changes. There is no longer any unanimity of opinion regarding the administration on the part of the so-called “left.” The only symptoms are the rebellion of Senator Long and the bitter verbal warfare between General Johnson and Father Coughlin. Other liberal leaders have indicated that they are not exactly happy with the situation. The National Recovery Act, the enactment of which was hailed with such fervor that a failure to boost it was regarded almost as nefarious as failing to buy liberty bonds in the stirring days of the World War, is now under investigation by the Senate. And most of the questions being asked of witnesses by examining senators are seemingly unfriendly to the NRA as now constituted. If the NRA is to continue after June, Congress must act to extend its life. The President has recommended that this life be prolonged for two years. And yet in spite of the personal popularity of the President among his followers, the temper of Congress is such that it is little more than an even bet whether the NRA will be re-enacted without having been so changed that its own political mother—whoever that may be—might not recognize it. No matter what the action of Congress may be, the federal courts remain a “menace” to many of the provisions of the act which are regarded by many jurists as unconstitutional. No matter what the final fate of this much advertised scheme of recovery may be, two short years have brought a great many changes both to political alignments and the official plans for economic recovery. One way the government could increase its revenues would be to charge an income tax on what it contributes in the way of federal relief. SCHOOL DAYS By DWIG ARE THERE ANY GUARDIAN ANGELS, SIR CONAN? YOU KNOW IT! THE FARMER'S CORNER By RALPH H. TAYLOR Executive Secretary Agricultural Council of California The fate of California's vast Central Valley Water Project—at least insofar as federal financing is concerned—will be determined within the next sixty days, according to reliable advices from Washington. And there are increasingly strong indications that the $170,000,000 water-power project, greater in magnitude than the much-heralded Boulder Canyon Dam development, will win final approval as a major unit of President's Roosevelt's huge public works program. Although it is entirely possible that present predictions may be upset, members of the California delegation in Congress have advised the Water Project Authority that they are confident first funds for the gigantic development will be forthcoming from the new 4,880 million dollar work-felief bill now awaiting final enactment. It is also stated, with equal assurance, that the pending public works program will constitute the last large appropriation for public works in many year, with little possibility of federal financing of the California project in the future if it should fail to be included in the present program. To thousands of farmers in the Sacramento and San Joaquin Valleys, if the project is successfully constructed and operated, it will mean an adequate water supply; relief from salt water encroachment; relief from costly litigation between down-stream and upstream water users; relief from winter floods and the possibility of improved navigability of California's two great rivers. There is still the further prospect of a new supply of hydro-electric power, which sponsors of the project claim will result in reduced power rates for the farmers and home owners, as well as industrialists. California farmers, incidentally, must do their utmost to make this hope a reality and prevent the possibility of the cities reaping the main benefits in distribution of the power. It is equally vital, however, that the new supply of water, if it is made available, be used to save lands already under cultivation, rather than to bring new lands into production. If this connection, State Engineer Edward Hyatt, before leaving for Washington to press for action on the project, reiterated his pledge that "Water will be supplied only to lands now planted to trees and crops," adding that "It is contemplated that no new lands will be brought into production in the near future." Bearing on the need for a new water supply, Hyatt announced that the United States Department of Agriculture reported losses in the San Joaquin Valley of more than $20,000,000 during 1934, due to drought conditions, and declared it is imperative that immediate action be taken to save thousands of farmers in the Southern San Joaquin area from being forced to abandon their lands. WASHINGTON SNAP-SHOTS Almost exactly twelve months after President Roosevelt surprised Congress last year by taking a vacation at a critical point in legislative maneuvering, the Chief Executive left again for have studied the case cited it as the strongest test case involving the NRA and New Deal legislation generally. But now the Justice Department withdraws the appeal. Improvement Shown In Valencia Study By Office, Farm Advisor Valencia growers experienced a satisfactory come back last year as a result of their marketing stabilization program and other favorable factors such as less competition of other summer fruits, higher summer temperatures and better consumer purchasing power. This is shown in the Ninth Annual Summary of the Cost of Producing Valencias which has just been completed by the Farm Advisor's office in Orange County. The average gross returns received by the sixty growers reporting for the citrus study in 1933 was $1.95 per packed box as compared with $0.90 in 1933 and $1.09 per box in 1932. The average used here include all fruit from the orchard computed on a packed box basis. The nine year average returns, 1926 to 1934 inclusive was $2.23 per box. The yields of 1934 were reported as practically equal to the nine year average, 216 and 213 packed boxes per acre respectively. The lowest average annual yield was 120 packed boxes in 1928 and the highest average yield was in the year 1929, when 275 boxes were reported. The highest yield reported last year by the growers in the economic study was 427 packed boxes per acre; the lowest was 83 boxes. Quality High Quality was also high during the 1934 season, running 65.8 percent first grade fruit as compared with 55.6 percent for the period covered in the nine year survey. The superior quality in 1934 was due to the fine growing season and the absence of damaging desert winds. A segregation of the ten highest return orchards in the group showed their average production to be 320 boxes per acre, grading 75 percent first grade fruit. The ten low orchards averaged 113 boxes per acre and graded 54 percent first grade fruit. Costs Analyzed WASHINGTON SNAP-SHOTS Almost exactly twelve months after President Roosevelt surprised Congress last year by taking a vacation at a critical point in legislative maneuvering, the Chief Executive left again for a fishing cruise in Southern waters. The President, reports said, hopes to regain the vigor and smiling demeanor which have been noticeably absent recently. The old axiom of "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy" applies also to Presidents, and none will begrudge Mr. Roosevelt the respite which will bring him back more keenly alive to the national needs. Almost simultaneously with enactment of the huge $4,000,000,000 relief bill, with its possibilities of "pork" for those who play the game, resentment came from two directions. In Maryland efforts of the Federal Government to interfere in State Government because it was supplying money was sharply denounced in the General Assembly. In Connecticut the Legislature defeated a proposal to establish a "Rehabilitation Corporation" under Federal control. Present indications are that Congress will not adjourn before June and it may be in session even longer. Passing almost unnoticed, but one of the most important recent moves of the Government, was the decision not to press before the Supreme Court its appeal from the Belcher-NRA case which came from the District Court of Alabama. In that case a lumberman was accused of violating the code hour and wage regulations. The Federal Court upheld his challenge of the Recovery Act's constitutionality, and the Department of Justice took an appeal to the Supreme Court. Attorneys who have studied the case cited it as the strongest test case involving the NRA and New Deal legislation generally. But now the Justice Department withdraws the appeal. Apparently as long as possible the Administration is going to avoid having the nine elder statesmen of the Supreme Court pass upon the Constitutionality of its enactments. In one case after another, distinguished lower court judges have held against the New Deal's attempt to ignore states' rights and regulate local affairs such as wages, hours and working conditions. The Government has taken none to the Supreme Court. Washington observers are more and more of the opinion that new legislation involving NRA, a compulsory 30-hour work week, and the measure to set up a permanent Labor Board to dictate to workers and employers should not be undertaken without first finding out whether the present laws are valid. The recent statement of ex-President Hoover, in which he attacked the New Deal directly for the first time, was received with varying comment in the Capital. Largely the reaction was one of wonder as to whether Mr. Hoover intends to seek the Republican nomination again. Most aggravating to officials was his denunciation of the "economy of scarcity," under which production is curtailed as opposed to the "economy of plenty." Destruction and curtailment of domestic farm products, with a resultant steady increase of foreign sales in this country, is not one of the matters which the Administration likes to have discussed publicly. Costs Analyzed Some of the more important costs shown for the past year were labor $41.23 per acre, harvesting $27.05, materials $50.88, other cash costs $24.31, depreciation $37.80, and interest on the investment $107.90. The total of all costs amounted to $288.36 per acre, leaving a net return of $132.88. The high ten orchards in the summary showed a total cost of $318.16 per acre and a net return of $363.19 after all costs were deducted. The average investment in the citrus properties reporting, based on the land value to which had been added the cost of trees and improvements, was $1880 per acre. This does not represent the real estate value, according to Farm Advisor Harold E. Wahlberg in charge of the study. Some of the more important orchard operation costs during 1934 were segregated and averaged as follows: Irrigation water $12.52 per acre, irrigation labor $9.46, fertilizer $28.28, cover crop seed and planting $1.33, fumigation $22.53, spraying $16.84, cultivation $10.32, pruning $5.71, taxes $17.18. In concluding the study, Wahlberg points out that records over the nine year period covered by these orchard efficiency studies show no advantage in heavy irrigation practice. Conservative irrigation is conducive to maintaining a more favorable soil environment for vigorous root development. A fluctuating soil moisture content varying from saturation (field capacity) at the time of irrigation to a fairly dry condition before the next application is an optimum program for Valencias. Many History of Anaheim Officially Recorded In Minutes of Anaheim Water Company; Which are Copyrighted, 1932, by Anaheim Gazette, and Printed In Weekly Installments Town Hall, Anaheim, Dec. 18, 1880. The Board of Directors of the Anaheim Water company met in regular weekly session. Present a full Board. The minutes of the meeting held on Dec. 11, were read and approved. A communication from Thomas H. Smith Esq., giving his terms for bringing suit to quiet title to water, etc., was read and ordered on file. With the above communication was a draft of a letter which Mr. Smith advised to be sent to J. W. Shanklin, Esq. The letter is as follows: Anaheim, Dec. 17, 1880. J. W. Shanklin, Esq. Dear Sir: Since I met you a few days ago, The Anaheim Water Co., has had a meeting at which it was determined either to buy the one-half interest of the Cajon Irrigation Company in the Cajon ditch or to sell our one-half interest therein. You are perhaps aware that in the past there has been contention and dissatisfaction between the two Co.'s, with regard to the management, repairs, etc., of the ditch, and we anticipate and fear there will be continued trouble in the future as long as the ditch is owned jointly by the two Co.'s, all of which my company is very anxious to avoid. Understanding that you can control the action of the Cajon Company, we respectfully request that you will, if agreeable to you, name a price that the Cajon Co., will give or take for the one-half interest in the ditch, and my Co. will obligate itself to buy or sell at the price named. If you prefer we will set the price, provided your company will bind itself to buy or sell at the price we name. We hope very respectfully your obedient servant, B. DREYFUSS, President Anaheim Water Co. On motion the President was authorized to sign the above letter and forward it to Mr. Shanklin. The zanjero was instructed to clean out the main ditch as soon as he could get the requisite number of men. Adjourned. B. MELROSE, Secretary. Town Hall, Anaheim, Jan. 1, 1881. The Board of Directors of the Anaheim Water Company met in regular session. Present a full Board. The minutes of the meeting held on December 18th were read and approved. A letter from J. W. Shanklin, in response to the one forwarded by President Dreyfuss on December 18th, was read, and a letter from William McFudden secretary of the Cajon Irrigation Company, was also read. The letters above referred to were given to Mr. Zeyn, who stated that he was going to Los Angeles on Monday, and he was instructed to show them to Mr. Thomas H. Smith, and get his advice as to the advisability of entering suit against the Cajon Company to quiet title to the water; and Mr. Zeyn was further instructed to ascertain the terms of Mr. Smith for bringing the suit. Warrants were ordered drawn in payment of the following bills: County tax collector, Bill 282, $16.50; Anaheim Gazette, Bill 283, $8.50; Mrs. C. Yocum, Bill 284, $79.16; F. J. J. Schmidt, Bill 285, $72.50. Total, $176.66. The receipts of the meeting were as WASHINGTON WEEKLY REVIEW Special to ANAHEIM GAZETTE For several days last week Washington squinted through a clay-colored fog of dust consisting for the most part, of tons of rich topsoil from the middle west and the Texas Panhandle, which had crept across the Nation in a murky cloud. However some of the Washington dust may have been picked up in the House when that body took up consideration of the two billion dollar soldiers’ bonus program. An old-fashioned and lively debate on this issue occupied the House with oratory and newworks, ending when the so-called Patman bill was passed and laid on the Senate’s doorstep. The Patman bill would immediately pay off the remaining World War veterans’ adjusted certificates with United States notes, all legal tender, appropriated out of the Treasury and non-interest-bearing. Outside of the discussions from the diplomatic slant, chief reaction in Washington to Hitler’s denunciation of the Treaty of Versailles and his announcement of an enlarged army has been a serious consideration of ways to insure America’s neutrality in any possible European war. One method of doing this, one which would take the profit out of war, was proposed by Economist John T. Flynn before the Senate Munitions Investigating Committee. It received support from a surprising quarter when Financial Bernard Baruch appearing before the Committee, endorsed the plan. Flynn’s proposal, a 12-point program, would limit individual incomes in war time to $10,000, collect all over that as income taxes, would take fifty percent of the first six percent profits of cor- ed social security bill which will include a program of old age pensions and unemployment insurance lies in the midst of several political cross-currents. tentatively submitted to the President several days ago and including many important detailed changes over the original measure, the bill has been kept in Committee until it could see fit to report it. Reasons are the legislative impasse with which Congress is infected generally, and apprehension over its reception by the two Houses. Headed by Representative Isabella Greenway of Arizona, a group of Democrats have banded together to force separation of the old age pension feature from that of the other portions of the bill. Western Members are among her support, in hopes of increasing amounts payable to old people. As the bill stands it is involved and complex to the point that Members, hard pressed for time to personally digest its contents, make little pretense of understanding it. Meanwhile the crusade to secure signers to the petition discharging the Ways and Means Committee from further consideration of the Townsend Old Age Pension Plan continues. At this writing less than 60 of the necessary 218 signatures have been placed upon the petition. Half of the members who have signed are from far Western States, and the majority of that half are from California. Strategy decreed that the details of how the public works fund would be administered remain undisclosed until the bill carrying the $4,800,000,000 was passed. Hence it was irritating for the more important costs the past year were labor, harvesting $27.05, manpower other cash costs $24.31, 17.80, and interest on the $17.90. The total of all paid to $288.36 per acre, return of $132.88. The awards in the summary cost of $318.16 per acre, return of $363.19 after all deducted. The average in citrus properties reported the land value to which the cost of trees and was $1880 per acre, represent the real estate to Farm Advisor Wahlberg in charge of the more important orchard during 1934 were segregated as follows; Irrigation fertilizer $28.28, cover crop planting $1.33, fumigation planting $16.84, cultivation $5.71, taxes $17.18, using the study, Wahlberg records over the nine covered by these orchard shows no advantage in practice. Conservatives conducive to maintain favorable soil environment not development. A fluoride content varying from (field capacity) at the town to a fairly dry condition next application is an example for Valencias. Many of the best orchards in Orange County are using 14 to 18 acre inches per year. It is our observation that any considerable use over this amount is a distinct loss to the community and a detriment to the tree in the long run. The trend of cultivation cost is decidedly downward. In 1926 it averaged $21.90 per acre and in 1934 the average was $10.32 per acre. Many orchards have reduced their tillage operations 50 to 75 percent in that period. The importance once attached to cultivation has rightfully faded away. High School P.-T. A. Planning For Tea With Mrs. Walter Ross serving as general chairman for the event, the High School Parent-Teacher Association are planning a tea for May 1, according to plans completed at a meeting of the association held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Clayes last Friday. The tea will be served from 3 to 5 in the afternoon. Strategy decreed that the details of how the public works fund would be administered remain undisclosed until the bill carrying the $4,800,000,000 was passed. Hence it was irritating for the information to leak out that Harry Hopkins and Rex Tugwell would be leading men in the general handling of the program, particularly since Tugwell is an anathema to so many Democratic Congressmen. All this, then, was the reason for the White House announcement that Mr. Roosevelt, as Chairman of an administrative board, would really be head man . . . Proposed tax legislation by the Administration includes plans for extending the so-called nuisance taxes totalling about four hundred and twenty million dollars . . . While the President recently urged Congress to pass new food and drug legislation, doing so by Presidential message, Senator Robinson, ostensibly acting as the Administration's spokesman, placed this legislation in the doubtful category for this session . . . By an overwhelming chorus the Senate has voted to repeal the pink slip income tax publicity features of the present law, assuring continued secrecy on income tax records. Old Age Pension Plan continues. At this writing less than 60 of the necessary 218 signatures have been placed upon the petition. Half of the members who have signed are from far Western States, and the majority of that half are from California. Strategy decreed that the details of how the public works fund would be administered remain undisclosed until the bill carrying the $4,800,000,000 was passed. Hence it was irritating for the information to leak out that Harry Hopkins and Rex Tugwell would be leading men in the general handling of the program, particularly since Tugwell is an anathema to so many Democratic Congressmen. All this, then, was the reason for the White House announcement that Mr. Roosevelt, as Chairman of an administrative board, would really be head man . . . Proposed tax legislation by the Administration includes plans for extending the so-called nuisance taxes totalling about four hundred and twenty million dollars . . . While the President recently urged Congress to pass new food and drug legislation, doing so by Presidential message, Senator Robinson, ostensibly acting as the Administration's spokesman, placed this legislation in the doubtful category for this session . . . By an overwhelming chorus the Senate has voted to repeal the pink slip income tax publicity features of the present law, assuring continued secrecy on income tax records. High School P.-T. A. Planning For Tea With Mrs. Walter Ross serving as general chairman for the event, the High School Parent-Teacher Association are planning a tea for May 1, according to plans completed at a meeting of the association held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Clayes last Friday. The tea will be served from 3 to 5 in the afternoon.