anaheim-gazette 1937-02-04

ANAHEIM GAZETTE Established 1870 Orange County's Oldest Newspaper HENRY KUCHEL, Editor and Publisher 1887-1935 The Anaheim Gazette has been owned and edited by the same family since 1875. Published every Thursday at 259 East Center Street, Anaheim, Calif. MRS. HENRY KUCHEL — THEODORE B. KUCHEL Editors and Publishers "SKELETON" BILLS Orange county's representatives in the legislature came home last week with many stories and many proposed laws, both the result of the first session of our bifurcated legislative period; but no story is more amazing, and no proposed law more flagrantly violative of all honesty and spirit of democracy than the so-called "skeleton bill." The theory behind the thirty day interim between sessions is that it permits the legislators an opportunity to ponder and to discuss with their constituents the changes in the law which have been suggested. In the first session, the bills are introduced; in the second; that is to say, when the legislature convenes after the month recess, the bills either are passed and sent to the governor, or they are rejected. But the practice, indulged in by some of our representatives, of introducing a bill in skeleton form, prevents everyone else from understanding what is sought to be done. In introducing such a bill, the state senator or assemblyman, draws it as follows: "An act to amend sections —— of the Agricultural code, relating to plant and animal husbandry. The people of the State of California do enact as follows: Section 1. Nothing more is included. Thus, it may be seen that it is not only impossible to determine what the proposed changes in the law are, but—and this is infinitely more important—it is impossible to tell what section of the existing law is sought." "An act to amend sections of the Agricultural code, relating to plant and animal husbandry. The people of the State of California do enact as follows: Section 1. Nothing more is included. Thus, it may be seen that it is not only impossible to determine what the proposed changes in the law are, but—and this is infinitely more important—it is impossible to tell what section of the existing law is sought to be changed. As a matter of practice, when the legislature re-convenes, the authors of these skeleton bills will "amend" their measures by filling in the blank spaces, and then, for the first time, will anyone know what is sought to be done. It is true, that in emergency, or because of the element of time, it is necessary to introduce a bill without a complete text of the legal verbiage which will be required before the bill may become good law. But certainly, the author of a change in the law knows at once what part of the law he desires to have altered. If he doesn't know, he shouldn't be in the legislature. And, if he does know, but doesn't want to disclose it until the last possible moment so that opposition to it may be minimized, he shouldn't be taking part in the making of our laws. Such practices as the introduction of the kind of bill above outlined is a mean and certainly undemocratic practice, and just as certainly should be condemned and dropped." CHRISTIAN SCIENCE CHURCH Paul's words to the Corinthians: "We all, with open face beholding us in a glass glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord," are the Golden Text in the Lesson-Sermon on "Spirit" on Sunday in all branches of The Mother Church, The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Massachusetts. The Lesson-Sermon includes these Scriptural passages from Joel: "Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the Lord will do great things... Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God: ... And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Isreal, and that I am the Lord your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed." Among the selections from "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," by Mary Baker Eddy, are these words: "If the disciple is advancing spiritually, he is striving to enter in. He constantly turns away from material sense, and looks towards the imperishable things of Spirit. If honest, he will be in earnest from the start, and gain a little each day in the right direction, till at last he finishes his course with joy." Post Office Sales Show Big Increase Post oice receipts for last month took a decided jump over those of the first month of last year, it was reported this week by Postmaster Louis H. Hoskins. Receipts for January totaled $4,179.70, while in the same month of 1936 the total was $3,865.38. Somewhat reassuring from public standpoint, however, is fact that the percentage of which become law this session will probably be considerably lower than usual, due to the emphasis taken by Lieutenant Governor George J. Hatfield, presiding officer of the senate against "skeleton bills." Hatfield has sent notice that the practice of introducing "skeleton bills," with merely a perfunctory title—and filling-in the substance of measures during the second half of the session, too late for public review or scrutiny—will not tolerated. It is estimated some 500 or 700 "skeletons" will stricken from the file when reach the Lieutenant Governor desk. To the farmers and people rural California, Hatfield's rule is of vital importance, as it reduces the danger of hasty ill-visited and "loaded" legislation, en slipped through in past sessions without public knowledge. The Hatfield decision gives for to the zifurcated, or split-sess leaving the 30-day recess between the two halves of the session study of bills, and restricting second half largely to the consideration of legislation, rather than its introduction. No major tax program confirma 1937 legislature and both publican and Democrats fairly well determined to carry with the present tax structure without the imposition of taxes, inasmuch as the non-pickup in revenues is expected cancel the state deficit and care of all current government needs. Numerous tax bills are pen In the heart of DOWN-TOWN San Francisco HOTEL DRAKE-WILTSHIRE STOCKTON STREET • AT UNION SQUARE Convenient to Every Point of Interest. 250 newly decorated rooms with bath and shower and many with panoramic view EXCELLENT COFFEE SHOP Rates from $2.00 Single • $3.00 Double GEORGE T. THOMPSON Managing Director PLAN SESSION Education courses will be featured in the Summer Session at the Los Angeles campus of University of California. The course will be drawn from eastern western universities and colleges as well as from the university The FARMERS CORNER by RALPH H-TAYLOR Executive Secretary Agricultural Council of California Actor's Note: This is the first several articles by Ralph Taylor, executive secretary of the Agricultural Council of California, analyzing measures introduced during the first half of 1937 session of the state nature. In subsequent articles Taylor will deal with of particular interest to farmers and the farming industries well as legislation affecting the entire state. Issue-less session, insofar as ant problems are concerned, 4,017 state legislature would only never have been missed and never been convened—at from the standpoint of the public! Paradoxically enough, 4,017 proposed constitutional amendments and resolutions were enacted during the short Janetting, some 400 more than the entire 1935 session, wrestled with many major issues of outstanding public concern by the end of the 1937 sesame months hence, the legislators, surpassing even the breakthrough session of 1913! Moral seems to be that Californias lawmakers and the votable that elects them, given issue to cope with, feel ready to deal with all the lesions. Acts and Facts of Townsendism By Walter R. Robb (This is a non-political, non-partisan news and views, and written by a prominent Townsend leader. Any opinions which are expressed herein are not necessarily those of the Gazette). The writer is of the opinion that there are many besides the Townsendites who read this column who would like enlightenment concerning the real truth as to the Townsend plan bill particulars, which the Townsend movement is seeking to have enacted into national legislation. There can be no real understanding of the value or lack of it in the Townsend plan for the people, unless they are familiar with its principles. For what reason during the next few articles the writer has determined to give an analysis of the new Townsend bill and its intended benefits to the people. State Commission Studies Utilities Investigations of five major gas, electric and telephone utilities have been underway for several months, President Wallace L. Ware of the California Railroad commission announced today. These informal investigations, which in the past have been responsible for the reduction in rates to California users of millions of dollars is an assurance to the people of California that the railroad commission is keeping in close touch with the operations and earning positions of the utilities under its regulation. Christian Science Lectures on Radio Anaheim radio listeners may hear authorized Christian Science lectures by William D. Kilpatrick, C. B. S., of Detroit, Mich., a member of the Board of Lectureship of The Mother Church, The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, as follows: Friday, February 5, at 12:10 noon, over KECA and Monday, February 15, at 8 p.m., over KFOX, Long Beach. articles that will follow in future weeks. Therefore the writer suggests that this article be clipped and filed away to be used in helping understand the analyzation of the bill, which will be given in later articles. The preamble outlines the purpose of the Townsend bill. The writer believes that but few of the readers will object to the purposes for the general welfare intended by the bill. I quote the preamble of the Townsend Business In Western State Registers Far western business for the year 1936 was made at a higher level than in the previous four years, due to the Bank of America's index appearing in the cuisine of the bank's monthly review. The index stood at 832 year's end, which is the point since April 1931, at 16.4 per cent below norm. The bank's annual summary does not only be graphical extent of westness gains in 1936, but also that the gains have been widely distributed through various channels of industry, trade and finance. Points out that gains were consistently made throughout month of the year over responding months of the four years. Building activity in California contributed heavily to the speeding up of business permits showed 71.8 per crease over 1935 and showing in the past five years. The 1936 average index for California farm prices registers per cent of the July 1915 average, being 73.8 above the depression considerably higher than any averages of the five years. The total farm value of pal California crops was at $439,415,000 in 1936 than any year since 1929, or 18.5 per cent. by the end of the 1937 session some months hence, the legislature will have established a full-time "high" in legislative calls, surpassing even the breakaway session of 1913. The moral seems to be that Californias lawmakers and the vetoable that elects them, given serious issue to cope with, feel led to deal with all the lessestions, pet projects and legal hobbies which get only big attention in the busier areas. What reassuring from the standpoint, however, is the fact that the percentage of bills become law this session probably be considerably lower than usual, due to the emphatic taken by Lieutenant Governor George J. Hatfield, presiding of the senate, against "skelebills." Hatfield has served that the practice of intro- "skeleton bills," with mere perforatory title—and then in the substance of the laws during the second half session, too late for publvion or scrutiny—will not be used. It is estimated that 500 or 700 "skeletons" will be sent from the file when they are Lieutenant Governor's farmers and people of California, Hatfield's ruling vital importance, as it relied on the danger of hasty, ill-advised "loaded" legislation, oft-trapped through in past sessions without public knowledge. Hatfield decision gives force to zifizated, or split-session, the 30-day recess between two halves of the session for bills, and restricting the half largely to the condition of legislation, rather than its introduction. A major tax program confronts 1937 legislature and both Reagan and Democrats seem well determined to carry on the present tax structure but the imposition of new inasmuch as the normal so in revenues is expected to be the state deficit and take of all current governmental numerous tax bills are pending into national legislation. There can be no real understanding of the value or lack of it in the Townsend plan for the people, unless they are familiar with its principles. For what reason during the next few articles the writer has determined to give an analysis of the new Townsend bill and its intended benefits to the people. In the past there has been considerable ridicule directed toward the Townsend plan as being but the fantastic dream of an impractical country doctor. Some even went so far as to label the idea as cockeyed and Dr. Francis E. Townsend — its originator — an economic ignoramus, who was self-seeking and interested only in enriching himself at the expense of the poor and credulous elderly of the nation. This belief was held in general only among those who had not really acquainted themselves thoroughly with the Townsend plan principles. This unbelief in the Townsend plan and the criticism of its national founder were in a measure produced because of certain journalists and financial writers giving out through syndicated columns and articles statements which were written with that general purpose in view. The writer believes that the people who are the readers of this column are capable of understanding the working of economics, including those advocated by the Townsend plan, if they are presented truthfully and accurately with the purpose of enlightening instead of confusing the readers. It shall be the desire and purpose of this column to present the Townsend plan bill particulars in a manner that will make its purposes easily understood. The new Townsend plan bill now ready to be presented to the present session of congress has been given the title "The General Welfare Act of 1937." This week's column will only give the preamble to the bill. But a careful reading of it will pave the way for thorough understanding of the articles that will follow in future weeks. Therefore the writer suggests that this article be clipped and filed away to be used in helping understand the analysis of the bill, which will be given in later articles. The preamble outlines the purpose of the Townsend bill. The writer believes that but few of the readers will object to the purposes for the general welfare intended by the bill. I quote the preamble of the Townsend bill: "To provide for and promote the general welfare of the United States by supplying to the people a more liberal distribution and increase of purchasing power, retiring certain citizens from gainful employment, improving and stabilizing gainful employment for other citizens, stimulating agricultural and industrial production and general business, and alleviating the hazards and insecurity of old age and unemployment; to provide a method whereby citizens shall contribute to the purchase of and receive a retirement annuity; to provide for the raising of the necessary revenue to operate a continuing plan therefor; to provide for the appropriation and expenditure of such revenue; to provide for the proper administration of this Act; to provide penalties for violation of the Act; and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled:" A careful reading of the above will reveal that the purpose of the Townsend plan bill are highly idealistic and worthy of praise of intended accomplishments. The general welfare should be the concern of every citizen. The need of more liberal distribution of produced wealth and an increased purchasing power is generally admitted. Next week's column will discuss more fully the preamble to the Townsend bill. And other articles later will reveal practical measures to be instituted making possible the realizing of the fine idealisms of the Townsend plan. REACH FOR YOUR TELEPHONE before you reach for your rubbers If you want to do it with greatest convenience, turn to your telephone. Many drug stores, shops, markets make a specialty of prompt delivery of telephone orders. Your telephone can help you continually. Turn to it first of all. If you wish telephone service, please let us know— Just Call BUSINESS OFFICE 217 N. LEMON ST., ANAHEIM SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA TELEPHONE COMPANY Anaheim 2101 Business In Far Western States Registers Gains Far western business activity for the year 1936 was maintained at a higher level than in any of the previous four years, according to the Bank of America's business index appearing in the current issue of the bank's monthly Business Review. The index stood at 83.6 at the year's end, which is the highest point since April 1931, and only 16.4 per cent below normal. The bank's annual summary reveals not only the broad geographical extent of western business gains in 1936, but also shows that the gains have been generally distributed through the various channels of industry, agriculture, trade and finance. It also points out that gains were consistently made throughout each month of the year over the corresponding months of the previous four years. Building activity in California contributed heavily to the general speeding up of business in 1936; permits showed 71.8 per cent increase over 1935 and the best showing in the past five years. The 1936 average index of California farm prices registered 107 per cent of the July 1910-June 1915 average, being 73 per cent above the depression low, and considerably higher than the yearly averages of the five previous years. The total farm value of principal California crops was estimated at $439,415,000 in 1936, higher than any year since 1929 and $68,-499,000 or 18.5 per cent greater. Still, if middle-aged cows took violent exercise in an effort to be young again, they would have heart-trouble, too. Doubtless Nature also was trying to prevent war by making it too awful when she developed the cootie. Another frequent cause of remorse is a telephone pole just where you decided to go around a truck. But now the election is over, there won't be any vital issue in sight except the Thanksgiving game. Treating Congress like a stepchild isn't new. Alexander Hamilton resented its "impudent curiosity" about financial matters. And if some of us had one short leg, and put on airs because of it, the rest of us would envy and hate them. OLD FRIENDS! NEW FRIENDS! Good News to All! SALE FLORSHEIM SHOES The 1936 average index of California farm prices registered 107 per cent of the July 1910-June 1915 average, being 73 per cent above the depression low, and considerably higher than the yearly averages of the five previous years. The total farm value of principal California crops was estimated at $439,415,000 in 1936, higher than any year since 1929 and $68,-499,000, or 18.5 per cent greater than 1935. The review also points out that dollar sales in representative western department stores showed about an 11 per cent gain over 1935, with the gain distributed generally throughout all sections. 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