anaheim-gazette 1954-08-26

OBLONG VIEWS (From an Egg-Shaped Head) By WALDO HUNTER, P.S.B. PLACERVILLE, Calif., Aug. 20. Well, here we are at the north end of the Mother Lode country after a leisurely drive from Mariposa up serpentine and enchanting Route 49. Placerville originally was known as Hangtown, and apparently was everything that the name implies. We will not be hanging around here very long. We are camped on the American river, a galloping, crystal clear little rock-strewn stream steeped in the tradition of gold. Our camp is within a rifle shot of the site of Sutter's Mill, where in 1848 the dull yellow metal was discovered to set off the wildest scramble for quick wealth the world has ever seen. (With the possible exception of the period immediately following Harry Truman's inauguration). The temperature as I write is about 68 at 1 p.m., and there is a touch of fall in the air. They have four definite seasons here, and pears seem to be the basic crop. The Nash Rambler has deported itself admirably on the trip, although I have not been able to get the mileage I at first expected. Some motorists get 25 miles to the gallon out of them, but the most I have gotten out of mine so far is 14 times to the mile. At Mariposa, our first taste of the real gold country, we camped near an old prospector's shack, about 10 miles up a rocky canyon well off the beaten track. At first he was reticent and suspicious, but at length broke down and became acquainted with us. Last Sunday morning he even became amiable enough to offer School Board Prepares for Sept. 13 School Opening More Funds For Boy Scout Council A plea for more funds from Anaheim Community Chest has been granted the Northern Orange County Boy Scout Council. The Boy Scout quota in the coming fund drive has been increased by $1,300. Scout executive Lloyd Paxton and financial secretary Robert Schooler appeared in a special meeting of the Community Chest board and made the plea for additional funds. They announced that nearly 900 boys are now being served in the Anaheim area and the Boy Scout share of $9,200 in the coming drive would not be sufficient to operate the Scout program. The chest board, composed of civic leaders and all agency representatives, granted the Scouts a budgetary goal of $10,000. The new figure increases the total campaign goal to $38,800, according to Barney W. Jordan, chest president. General Motors Increases Wage General Motors today announced an upward revision of one per cent per hour in its cost-of-living allowance to approximately 375,000 hourly rate employees resulting from an increase in the nation's cost-of-living index. With the opening of school a little more than two weeks away, the Anaheim Elementary Board of Education this week hired six new teachers as part of its final preparations for the 1954-55 school year. Another phase of their work included the setting of a daily schedule of classes and approving new school boundaries for several districts. The six new teachers bring the elementary staff to 108. Highest paid on the list is Mrs. Evelyn Sonnie, former curriculum consultant for Stanislaus county school system who will serve in the same capacity for Anaheim. She will advise teachers on courses of study in the fundamentals at a salary of $5,900. Tod A. Anton will teach the fifth grade at Benjamin Franklin school at a salary of $4120; Francis F. Martin will teach fourth grade at Horace Mann for $4600; John W. Shea, sixth grade at Benjamin Franklin for $4480; Mrs. Donna B. Staples, Lincoln school first grade at $3950, and James D. Wallace, North Street school, sixth grade for $4600. Kindergarten will be in double session in several schools, depending on enrollment. Double sessions will run from 9 a.m. until noon and from 12:45 p.m. until 3:10 p.m. For other grades school opens at 9 a.m., closing at 2:10 p.m. for first and second grades; 2:30 p.m. for third grade; 3 p.m. for fourth grade and 3:10 p.m. for fifth and sixth grades. George Washington and Broadway schools will have the same General Motors Increases Wage General Motors today announced an upward revision of one per cent per hour in its cost-of-living allowance to approximately 375,000 hourly rate employees resulting from an increase in the nation's cost-of-living index. The one cent increase in the cost-of-living allowance for hourly rate employees becomes effective with the first pay period after Sept 1. These employees, therefore, will receive a total hourly cost-of-living allowance of seven cents per hour for the months of September, October and November. Under the GM wage formula wages are reviewed quarterly and adjusted in line with changes in the revised consumer’s price index of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The BLS index for July 15, made public today, is 115.2 compared with 114.6 for April 15, the date upon which the cost-of-living allowance for the last quarter was based. Tustin Playbox Has Fine Season The Tustin Playbox, at the end of its most successful summer season, is now in the midst of a number of plans for future seasons. Search continues for a permanent Playbox site, and in the meantime definite plans for a winter season for both the children’s and adult evening shows are being formulated. A winter season of evening shows, beginning in February is being considered. A new series of children’s shows is set to begin on Oct. 9. These shows will be presented at Tustin Playbox every Saturday at 2 p.m., and a morning production will be shown in Santa Ana, Fullerton, Anaheim, and Orange on successive weekends. The children’s shows will have Patti Fickes, of Orange, in the leading role, and will use Orange county talent in the casts, and in the variety acts preceding each play. The new series of children’s shows will be written by Marian P. Fickes (Mrs. A. M. Fickes), of Orange, whose work has appeared in many leading national magazines. The producers of Tustin Playbox, Cathy Browne and Sherwood Kindergarten will be in double session in several schools, depending on enrollment. Double sessions will run from 9 a.m. until noon and from 12:45 p.m. until 3:10 p.m. For other grades school opens at 9 a.m., closing at 2:10 p.m. for first and second grades; 2:30 p.m. for third grade; 3 p.m. for fourth grade and 3:10 p.m. for fifth and sixth grades. George Washington and Broadway schools will have the same boundaries as last year. Other school boundaries have been altered slightly to allow for the new North Street school and to make safer travel arrangements for some youngsters. Parents are urged to take their children to the nearest elementary schools on one of the three registration days, Sept. 1, 2 and 3. Detailed maps will be available for those in doubt about which school their children should attend. Supt. Paul Cook said it may be necessary to operate double sessions at Horace Mann and Loara schools until the opening of the new North Street school in mid-October. Transportation problems may also make it imperative to change some of the attendance boundaries, he added. Births Twin daughters were born to Mr. and Mrs. William Hale Livingston of 8941 Huston St. They arrived in St. Joseph hospital on August 21. A seven pound, two ounce son was born to Mr. and Mrs. John Higgins of 409 Boysen street in St. Joseph hospital on Aug. 21. The Robert Ruthers of 1608 E Center street, welcomed a 9 lb 1½ oz. son on Aug. 22, born in St. Joseph hospital. Henry G. Leveck of 315 S. Placentia st., is passing the cigars His wife presented him with a 6 lb. 11½ oz. son in Fullerton Cottage hospital on Aug. 22. Mr. and Mrs. Rudy Lara of 315 Paulina st., are the proud parents of a daughter, born in Orange County hospital on Aug. 22. Y GIRLS AT CAMP OSCEOLA THIS WEEK Finally after about five washings nothing remained in the pan but some very fine black sand. He put his magnifying glass to it and grunted. Letting us do the same, we saw glints of bright yellow in the stuff. That was gold. When we finally left the old boy, he gave us an old penicillin vial containing two small nuggets. Lots of prospectors, both amateur and professional, make day's wages up here panning for gold. (It's a pretty hard day's wages, though). While at Lake Tahoe we dropped down to Carson City, Nevada, roamed through the state capitol building (about as big as a good-sized mid-western county court house) and told an attendant we wanted to shake hands with the governor. We expected him to laugh, but he told us to walk on down the hall three doors to the governor's office. A girl receptionist told us the governor at the moment was busy in a drought-disaster conference, but she would make an appointment for us to see him later. We then told her we were just California tourists. Despite the insufferable heat, she chilled slightly at this information, and terminated the interview by fobbing off onto us a small booklet put out by the governor extolling Nevada's charms. Most interesting bit of information in it was the fact that Nevada's total population (estimated) is 140,000 sun-baked citizens. It is estimated by those in the know that the amount of gold remaining in the Mother Lode is equal to what has been taken out, but with the price of gold frozen by government decree, and with the sky-high costs of mining and refining, it just doesn't pay to try to dig it out. At that, some of the veteran prospectors do pretty well. One Anaheim, and Orange on successive week-ends. The children's shows will have Patti Fickes, of Orange, in the leading role, and will use Orange county talent in the casts, and in the variety acts preceding each play. The new series of children's shows will be written by Marian P. Fickes (Mrs. A. M. Fickes), of Orange, whose work has appeared in many leading national magazines. The producers of Tustin Playbox, Cathy Browne and Sherwood Price, appreciate very much the interest and support of Orange county that has been shown this summer. It is this interest that has made definite plans for future seasons'and for a permanent Playbox possible. In return, the producers and company of the Playbox pledge themselves to do everything possible to make the Playbox into an organization that Orange county can well be proud of. Mrs. Paul David entertained members of the Prospectors club of White Temple Methodist church at a coffee hour this morning (Aug. 26) at her home at 511 N. Clementine street. of them showed us a bottle full of nuggets worth about $300 which he had gleaned from the creeks by leisurely panning. A trip up old Route 49, which winds for 277 miles through some dozen counties; is a step back into history, and anyone with any imagination at all will get a thrill at every turn of the road. And that's a lot of thrills. As I said before, we are camped on the American river. There is also a Russian River up here somewhere. What goes on at the confluence of the two streams I don't know. But I bet it's one Helluva whirlpool! Henry G. Leveck of 315 S. Placentia st., is passing the cigars His wife presented him with a 6 lb. 11½ oz. son in Fullerton Cottage hospital on Aug. 22. Mr. and Mrs. Rudy Lara of 315 Paulina st., are the proud parents of a daughter, born in Orange County hospital on Aug. 22. Y' GIRLS AT CAMP OSCEOLA THIS WEEK A group of the older 'Y' girls left on Tuesday, August 24, for Camp Osceola in the Barton Flat area. Some 70 tenth graders and above are enjoying the last camping experience of the summer with Nan Moore as Camp Director. They will return home on August 31. Honeymoon Newlywired Their First Home In Following a honeymoon in San Francisco and Lake Tahoe, newlyweds Mr. and Mrs. Donald Conrad will make their home at 913 N. Lemon street. They exchanged marriage vows recently in the First Lutheran church of Fullerton with the Rev. Moss Meyer conducting the ceremony. The bride is the former Miss Neva Zoe Hokenstad, daughter of Mrs. G. H. Hokenstad of Canton, S. D. who came here for the ceremonies. Her daughter's gown was a white ensemble of nylon organza worn with lace hat and lace finger mitts. The wedding bouquet was of tiny rosebuds. The bride's only attendant was Miss Doloris Jackus, as maid of honor, clad in a frock of pink orlon accented with white carnations. The bridegroom, son of Mr. and 62 YEARS OF DEVOTION TO ALL THAT ANAHEIM ORANGE COUNTY'S OLDEST NEWSPAPER ESTABLISHED IN 1870 PUBLISHED EVERY THURSDAY Councilmen Clear Way for H Shopping Center by Rezoni County Supervisors Approve Nine-Cent Tax Rate Increase for Coming Year Adoption this week of a $1.24 tax rate by the County Board of Supervisors means that Orange County taxpayers will have to dig down in their jeans during the coming year for nine cents extra for every $100 of assessed valuation. The increase was expected however, since the supervisors last week adopted a record budget of $18,409,576 for its county-wide levy, cut reserves from a million dollars to $750,000 and adjusted estimates of the outside income to lop six cents off the originally-proposed rate. County Auditor L. H. Eckel said the following rates will be required for various funds: General county government, budget $5,990,343, rate, 52.41 cents; Health Department, budget, $398,-426, rate, 6.17 cents; Hospital, $2.-433,812, rate, 35.66 cents; welfare Two shopping centers Get Okay Of Anaheim Planning Commission Community Chest Chairmen Named Mayor Charles Pearson and O. E. Hanson will serve as co-chairmen of the advance gifts division for Anaheim Community Chest's fall fund drive. Chest President Barney Joran today announced the names of the leaders of the important division, which is in charge of linking up donations from corporations Two shopping centers on Ball Road were given the Anaheim Planning Commission's blessing this week. One commercial center is proposed to include 10 acres on each of the four corners at Ball Rd. and Euclid Ave. This reclassification request to change the area from residential-agricultural to neighborhood commercial was instituted by the commission. The second shopping center is proposed by Ora Miller of Long Beach on 10 acres at the northeast corner of Brookhurst Ave. and Other grades school opens, closing at 2:10 p.m. and second grades; 2:30 for third grade; 3 p.m. fourth grade and 3:10 p.m. sixth grades. Washington and Broadcools will have the same sales last year. Other boundaries have been slightly to allow for the new street school and to make travel arrangements forungsters. Paul Cook said it may be easy to operate double sesst Horace Mann and Loara until the opening of the North Street school in mid-Transportation problems so make it imperative to some of the attendance duties, he added. Births Daughters were born to Mrs. William Hale Liveston of 9841 Huston St. They in St. Joseph hospital on 21. Pound, two ounce son to Mr. and Mrs. John of 409 Boysen street in Joseph hospital on Aug. 21. Robert Ruthers of 1608 E. street, welcomed a 9 lb. son on Aug. 22, born in St. hospital. G. Leveck of 315 S. Plast., is passing the cigars, presented him with a 6 oz. son in Fullerton Cot-hospital on Aug. 22. Mrs. Rudy Lara of 315 st., are the proud parents daughter, born in Orange hospital on Aug. 22. ALS AT CAMP LA THIS WEEK STANTON 4-H CLUBS TO DISPLAY RIBBONS Community Chest Chairmen Named Mayor Charles Pearson and O. E. Hanson will serve as co-chairmen of the advance gifts division for Anaheim Community Chest's fall fund drive. Chest President Barney Jordan today announced the names of the leaders of the important division, which is in charge of lining up donations from corporations and individual large donors. Mayor Pearson has given generously of his time in the past to Chest work, having served as president and having headed several committees in past drives. Hanson also has been active in Red Feather work, having served on the board for several years At present he is custodian of local funds for Salvation Army in his capacity as manager of the Anaheim Branch of Bank of America. He represents the Boy Scouts on the Chest Board. Judge John Shea and Wayne Butterbaugh, co-chairmen of the campaign, said that Division Captains will co-operate with Mayor Pearson and Hanson in gathering a large share of the fund, which is to be distributed among Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Children's Hospital, Orthopaedic Hospital, Catholic Welfare, Salvation Army and Visiting Nurses Association. All divisions begin their drive Sept. 14. Other division leaders and their committees are to be announced soon. Margaret E. Miller Margaret Ellen Miller passed away August 20 at her home at 11241 South Dale, at the age of 87 years. She was born in Canada, but has lived in Anaheim for 78 years, and at the above address for sixty years. She is survived by two sons, Roy E., of Anaheim, and Charles P. of Hobbs, New Mexico.; three daughters, Miss R. Edna Miller, Mrs. Ethel M. Evans and Miss Catherine Miller, all of Anaheim; three grandchildren, and one great grandchild. She was a charter member of the Alamitos Friends church. Services were held in Alamitos Friends church, Monday, at 3 p.m., with Rev. Eugene Coffin officiating. Private interment was in Santa Ana cemetery. Gertrude S. Hiles Gertrude S. Hiles passed away Aug. 24 at Hong Memorial Hospital at the age of 88 years. She was born in England, and came to Anaheim in 1910, living at 308 N. Lemon street. She is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Catherine Edens of Anaheim, Mrs. Gertrude H. Carter of Long Beach; one son, Albert E Hiles of Long Beach; three sisters, Mrs. Emma Whitmark of Whittier, Mrs. Kate Griffen of Hollywood and Mrs. Blanche Price of Rivera; one brother, Joseph Williams, also of Rivera. She was a member of St. Michael's church of Anaheim. Funeral services will be held at St. Michael's church, Friday at 2 p.m., with Bishop Thomas Jenkins officiating. Interment will be in Anaheim cemetery. Ollie Ann Goff Funeral services for Mrs. Ollie Ann Goff, 67, whose death occurred Wednesday morning, will be conducted at the graveside in the Anaheim cemetery on Saturday morning at 10 o'clock. The planning Commission's blessing this week. One commercial center is proposed to include 10 acres on each of the four corners at Ball Rd. and Euclid Ave. This reclassification request to change the area from residential-agricultural, to neighborhood commercial was instituted by the commission. The second shopping center is proposed by Ora Miller of Long Beach on 10 acres at the northeast corner of Brookhurst Ave. and Ball Rd. The site is approximately a mile west of Ball and Euclid Avenue. Planners have indicated they believe such centers should be at least a mile apart as it is believed 500 homes warrant a shopping area. At Ball and Euclid, the planners reclassified the northwest corner for commercial and recommended to the county planners that they do likewise with the southwest and southeast corners as they are still county territory. At a July 6 meeting the Anaheim Planning Commission approved for commercial use the 10 acres at the northeast corner. At that time it was thought it would be desirable to so rezone the other three corners. Heymoon Newlyweds To Make First Home In Anaheim City Driving a honeymoon in San Diego and Lake Tahoe, new Mrs. and Mrs. Donald Conrad make their home at 913 Monroe street. They exchanged vows recently in the First Church of Fullerton with Mrs. Moss Meyer conducting ceremony. Bride is the former Miss Bee Hokenstad, daughter of H. Hokenstad of Canton, who came here for the cereal ensemble of nylon organ with lace hat and lace mitts. The wedding bouquet tiny rosebuds. Bride's only attendant was Doloris Jackus, as maid of lad in a frock of pink ornamented with white carnation. Mrs. W. B. Conrad of Fullerton, chose Glen Conrad as best man. Usheres were Roger Clark and Iver Pedersen. At the reception which followed, Miss Charlotte Wooley of Armour, S. D., was in charge of the guest book. Assisting with serving were Mrs. J. K. Hulsey of Whittier, Mrs. Glen Conrad of Anaheim, Mrs. Raymond Cason of Berkeley and Mrs. Nelle Oison of Whittier. When the school year begins, the new Mrs. Conrad will teach elementary grades having received a bachelor of science degree from the University of South Dakota in 1952. Her husband is employed by the Pacific Telephone and Telegraph Co., of Santa Ana. He attended Fullerton High and Junior college and completing 3½ years of service with the U.S.Air Force during World War II. Coming Events The monthly YLI card party will be held this evening, Aug. 26, at the home of Opal Rimpau with Bonnie Strickroth in charge of reservations. The next general meeting has been set for Sept. 3. Ollie Ann Goff Funeral services for Mrs. Ollie Ann Goff, 67, whose death occurred Wednesday morning, will be conducted at the graveside in the Anaheim cemetery on Saturday morning at 10 o'clock. The body will lie in state in Hilgenfeld chapel Friday afternoon and evening for friends who desire to pay their respects. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Fiske had a week-end guests to help celebrate Mr. Fiske's birthday, Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Goggin and Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Harrison and daughter, Linda, all of Los Angeles, and Mrs. Vera Morier, of Butte, Mont. ALL THAT IS GOOD IN ANAHEIM ORANGE COUNTY'S WILDEST NEWSPAPER ESTABLISHED IN 1879 PUBLISHED EVERY THURSDAY COUNTY, CALIFORNIA, THURSDAY, AUGUST 26, 1954 No. 91 Disneyland Contract To L. A. Firm Although protests were voiced by Anaheim residents the Anaheim City Council Tuesday night voted unanimously to rezone a block square section bounded by Euclid, Loara, Crescent and Manchester Aves., to allow construction of the proposed Broadway Shopping Center. The change dissolved a residential-agricultural zone, making it a general-commercial area. When the council made its final decision, officials of the Broadway-Hale Stores, Inc., announced that construction would get underway immediately. The multi-million dollar project will cover 200,000 square feet and will include a three-story main store, a smaller department store, approximately 30 smaller shops and a supermarket. Plans also include the installation of a parking lot to accommodate 5,000 cars. In the audience during the session was a large group of residents from the proposed area of construction. One spokesman said: "We aren't here to criticise the construction of this beautiful building in Anaheim. We only want to make sure our interests and The McNell Construction Co., of Los Angeles, was awarded the contract this week for site construction of Disneyland, the nine million dollar amusement which Walt Disney will build on a 160-acre tract near Anaheim. McNell was low bidder among eight competing companies. The contract callist for an outlay more than $250,000 for completion of the park which will be one of the world's most unusual showplaces. Under terms of the contract, McNell will do the excavating for the lakes, rivers and beds for the railroad which will encircle Disneyland. It will include installation of all underground utilities such as sewers, gas and electricity. It also includes construction of the railroad overpass which will serve as an entrance to the park. Two large buildings, presently on the 160-acre tract, are to be moved and placed on new foundations to become administration offices. Disneyland officials will move a survey party into the park site so that by Friday or Monday of next week the site construction will get commercial center is proinclude 10 acres on each our corners at Ball Rd. and Ave. This reclassification to change the area from neigh-commercial was instituted commission. second shopping center is by Ora Miller of Long 10 acres at the northeast of Brookhurst Ave. and The site is approximately west of Ball and Euclid ers have indicated they bech centers should be at mile apart as it is believed warrant a shopping il and Euclid, the planners led the northwest corner commercial and recommended county planners that they wise with the southwest east corners as they are nity territory. July 6 meeting the Analanning Commission apfor commercial use the 10 at the northeast corner. At the it was thought it would able to so rezone the other orners. rude S. Hiles rude S. Hiles passed away at Hoag Memorial Hosthe age of 88 years. She turned in England, and came helm in 1910, living at 308 on street. is survived by two daughMrs. Catherine Edens of mrs. Mrs. Gertrude H. Carter Beach; one son, Albert E. Long Beach; three sisters, Emma Whitmark of Whitts. Kate Griffen of Hollynd Mrs. Blanche Price of one brother, Joseph Wilso of Rivera. was a member of St. Michurch of Anaheim. Funeral will be held at St. Micharch, Friday at 2 p.m., with Thomas Jenkins officiatterment will be in Anametery. Ann Goff oral services for Mrs. Ollie off, 67, whose death ocWednesday morning, will uctel at the graveside in helm cemetery on Saturning at 10 o'clock. The three-story main store, a smaller department store, approximately 30 smaller shops and a supermarket. Plans also include the installation of a parking lot to accomodate 5,000 cars. In the audience during the session was a large group of residents from the proposed area of construction. One spokesman said: "We aren't here to criticise the construction of this beautiful building in Anaheim. We only want to make sure our interests and safety are taken care of." The residents group asked that if the Broadway is given permission to build in that section of the city that the council vote to close off Westmont Dr., and North St., at Loara St., to prevent what they described as a "heavy flow of traffic through a residential area." More than 315 residents of the area joined in the petition asking that the streets be closed. City councilmen, in an attempt to sidestep the issue momentarily, said they were powerless to do anything about the streets until a study could be made and they were certain they wouldn't be open to a lawsuit from some resident who was boxed in by the street closing. Speaking for his colleagues, Councilman A. J. Schutte told the citizens group "I know most of you folks personally and I will provide for your trust in me." HIGH SCHOOL CHURCH GROUP ENJOYS CAMPING The following members of the White Temple high school youth group are currently enjoying a week at Camp Radford in the San Bernardino mountains: Lynn Oden, Jim Harned, Keith Hysom, Jon Leonard, Linda Blakely, Mary Rasmusen, Patsey Biltikely, Bob Wilson, Pudy Winfrey, Ronnie Larson, Dave Evans, Dave Brust, Bix Dunlavy and former minister of youth, Chuck Wiggins, is a counselor. Gala Benefit Event Sponsored by Local Assistance League Local residents will be treated to a gala social event early in October when the Assistance League sponsors opening night at the new "Water Wheel" restaurant, extensive new eating place soon to open on Magnolia Ave. Tickets will presently go on sale for the benefit buffet supper, proceeds from which will be used for heliumland. It will include installation of all underground utilities such as sewers, gas and electricity. It also includes construction of the railroad overpass which will serve as an entrance to the park. Two large buildings; presently on the 160-acre tract, are to be moved and placed on new foundations to become administration offices. Disneyland officials will move a survey-party into the park site so that by Friday or Monday of next week the site construction will get underway. Actual building construction will begin about Oct. 1. Business Shows Brisk Pace Continuing the brisk pace of business which was set in June, the index of business activity for the Southern half of California was practically unchanged in July, according to an announcement today by B. W. Jordan, manager of Security-First National Bank's Anaheim branch. Quoting from the Monthly Summary of Business Conditions as compiled by the bank's research department, the branch manager said that compared with a year ago, the index was up 8/10ths of one per cent. July was the first month this year to show a gain over a year ago. At 399.5 (preliminary), the business index was only 3% below the all-time peak established in May 1953. It was 1% above the average for that record year. Since population in this area is expanding at a rate close to 4% a year, it appears that the per capita volume of business is now about 7% below the extreme peak month, the local bank stated. This is only 2½% below the average level prevailing during the record year 1953. Construction activity and aircraft production continue to provide major strength in the local business picture, he said. Both of these basic industries are exceptionally important in the Southern California economy, and both show gains over a year ago. Unemployment in the Los Angeles area declined 1½% between June and July. The total of 112,600 jobless in July was 48 per cent above a year ago, but was well below pre-Korea levels. Over 12,000 persons have been added to local payrolls during the past two months. Sponsored by Local Assistance League Local residents will be treated to a gala social event early in October when the Assistance League sponsors opening night at the new "Water Wheel" restaurant, extensive new eating place soon to open on Magnolia Ave. Tickets will presently go on sale for the benefit buffet supper, proceeds from which will be used for the League's many philanthropies in the Anaheim area. Plans for the affair were initiated on Monday at a meeting of the ways and means committee at the home of Mrs. Vincent Borden. Mrs. Borden and Mrs. Jack Patterson are co-chairmen of the event. Further discussion will take place at the first regular meeting of the year scheduled for Sept. 9 at the Lido Isle home of Mrs. John Wilson. Unemployment in the Los Angeles area declined 1½% between June and July. The total of 112,600 jobless in July was 48 per cent above a year ago, but was well below pre-Korea levels. Over 12,000 persons have been added to local payrolls during the past two months. However, the total of 2,130,300 civilians employed in July was 6/10th of one per cent below a year ago. Factory employment declined slightly between mid-June and mid-July in the Los Angeles area. The total of 623,400 wage and salary workers was 3% below July last year, he said. Aircraft employment in the Los Angeles area increased moderately in July, offsetting the decline which occurred in the previous month. Electric power used by Southern California industry increased to a new record level during July. This was the second consecutive month of increase. Building permits issued in Southern California during July were valued at $152,634,000—gain of 12% over a year ago. Engineering construction contracts awarded in Southern California during July totaled $29,253,000—a gain of 70% over a year ago. Department store sales increased in July for the fifth consecutive month. The bank's seasonally adjusted index department store sales in the Los Angeles area was at the same level as last July, and higher than in any intervening month. The galleries of the United States Senate chamber seats 682 persons.