anaheim-gazette 1955-07-21

BLONG VIEWS (From an Egg-Shaped Head) BY WALDO HUNTER, P.S.B. There has been much pro and con in recent years on the methods of teaching how to read in the California schools. Some say that the kids aren't being taught right. The old fashioned "phonetic" way is out. Visiting our modest hacienda is a representative of the Lippincott publishing company, and he sells school books, back in Illinois. Because the question of how our children are being taught to read is of great concern to most, I asked my friend to guest-write this week's column. Discussions of the "reading problem" have recently taken on all of the emotionalism usually reserved for politics and religion. I deplore the vindictiveness of some of those who have a definite opinion on either side, but I am pleased to see that the heart of public education has become a household topic. For many years the public schools have been teaching youngsters to read by the "whole word" method. That is—a child is shown a picture of a dog and the word DOG. By so doing, the meaning of the picture and the alphabetic symbols DOG are wedded and are thus fixed in the child's mind. This process seems perfectly logical but reading becomes a demonstrably slow accumulation of separate learning experiences. Smog Bill Now On Statutes The United States Government is about to begin, thanks to the two-year campaign of U.S. Senator Thomas H. Kuechel of California, a $25,000,000 hunt for ways of preventing smog and cleaning up the air which people, plants, and animals of the country breathe. Under terms of a new law just signed by President Eisenhower, the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, through the U.S. Public Health Service, will mobilize the resources of the Federal government, states and other local government agencies, scientific institutions, research organizations, public and private colleges and universities, and others in a five-year investigation into causes of and possible remedies for air pollution. The statute putting Uncle Sam into the anti-smog fight was authored by Senator Kuechel, who previously had taken the lead in getting President Eisenhower to set up an inter-departmental committee to consider the need for Federal research and facilities that might be utilized to assist cities and counties in wrestling with the smog problem. The bill unanimously approved by Congress had several co-sponsors, including Senator William F. Knowland of California. California Bank Considers Merger A special meeting of the shareholders of California Bank has been called for Aug. 12, 1955, to consider proposals to merge Union National Bank of Pasadena, The Covina National Bank, and Fishermen and Merchants Bank, San Pedro, into California Bank. The proposed mergers have been approved by the boards of directors of the respective institutions. Deposits of California Bank will be increased by more than $42,000,000 upon the effective date of the merger, according to Frank L. King, president of California Bank. Deposits of the four banks as of June 30, 1955, were as follows: California Bank $688,368; Union National Bank of Pasadena $19,669,991; The Covina Bank, $12,536,341; Fishermen and Merchants Bank, $9,920,406. Employment at New State High California begins fiscal 1955 with the highest employment in the history of the state and rapidly declining unemployment, the state Department of Industrial Relations and the Department of Employment announced today. Ernest B. Webb, Director of the Department of Industrial Relief For many years the public schools have been teaching youngsters to read by the "whole word" method. That is—a child is shown a picture of a dog and the word DOG. By so doing, the meaning of the picture and the alphabetic symbols DOG are wedded and are thus fixed in the child's mind. This process seems perfectly logical but reading becomes a demonstrably slow accumulation of separate learning experiences. Using this method, a third grade child can only be taught 400 or 500 words and that only if he is an interested and apt pupil. Look at your child's reader and see how long you think his interest will be kept at fever pitch with simple-minded stories about a dog, a cat, Dick, Jane, mother, and father. Recently another reading method (phonetic) has been getting a lot of attention. This method is concerned with teaching the child the sounds of letters and combinations of letters so he can "sound out" or pronounce any word made up of the English alphabet. Critics of the phonetic method assert that the child taught in this method can pronounce more words than he knows the meaning of. This may be a fault, but what words can you think of that he may encounter for which he does not know the meaning? Refrigerator, alligator, adventure, sheriff, and pineapple are several words which come to mind which are not taught in the first three grades but which every child knows. It seems to me that education is the process of learning meaning for words which we can only say. It would then appear that if a child can pronounce a word, he need only ask his teacher or parents for the meaning. In any event, if he can pronounce a word he has at least half of the reading problem solved which is better than none of it. This discussion may appear to be a tempest in a teapot. Neverthe less the rapidity with which our children can become independent readers is of considerable importance if subject matter is to be learned in any appreciable quantity. Our children are keenly aware of the wonders of the world about them. They need only watch television to have a glib knowledge of committee to consider the need for Federal research and facilities that might be utilized to assist cities and counties in wrestling with the smog problem. The bill unanimously approved by Congress had several co-sponsors, including Senator William F. Knowland of California. BUMPER CROP STARTS NEW SALES EFFORT Sparked by this year's huge crop of Avocados—double that of last year, and the largest ever produced in the state—a new program to further increase consumption by intensive promotion and consumer education was announced today by Avocado corporations. Calavo organization sales for the first eight months of the fiscal year were 12 million dollars, compared with 10 million dollars in the same period a year ago, according to Albert Thille, president. "The Calavo business is becoming an important part of the state's economy," Thille said. "supplying revenue to thousands, which helps merchants in every community." The new program, approved after a nationwide survey of wholesalers and retailers, is also aimed at improving the net return to California growers. Thille declared, by reducing costs of distribution and assuring the arrival of the fruit at consumer outlets in the best possible condition. "We feel we have barely scratched the surface of sales possibilities with the tremendous potential markets in the central and eastern portions of the nation," Thille said. "When more millions in these areas learn of the nutritious eating pleasure they can get in Calvalos, we know we won't be able to keep up with the demand—even with the probable increased production." This discussion may appear to be a tempest in a teapot. Never the less the rapidity with which our children can become independent readers is of considerable importance if subject matter is to be learned in any appreciable quantity. Our children are keenly aware of the wonders of the world about them. They need only watch television to have a glib knowledge of the world, its people and its problems. Reading, and a lot of it, is the only way I know to insure that our children will acquire something other than a glib and superficial appreciation of man and his world of institutions, values and ideas. THIS REPORTER noticed no appreciable difference in traffic around Anaheim Sunday due to the preview opening of Disneyland. We spent the day at Newport Beach, going by way of Corona. Local Youth At San Jose Three persons from Anaheim are enrolled in the summer session at San Jose State college, which opened June 27. Special features of the 1955 summer session are a Festival of Arts, an educational tour to Scandinavia, a bus tour to historical places in Northern California, and workshops in various phases of public school education. Those from Anaheim are: Gilbert T. Martinez, Glenn F. Kaminsky, Barbara S. Still. The island of Jamaica is the largest of the British West Indies. CABLE CAR CUTIES—Because this is the 65th anniversary of the Orange County Fair, candidates for Pirate Queen of the 1955 Fair visited the historical exhibits at Knott's Berry Farm and Ghost Town in Buena Park. Climbing aboard one of the transported old cable cars from San Francisco are Sharon Glenn Costa Mesa, getting her ticket punched by Gripman Jim Murdoch and (seated) Dot McKinnle of Garden Grove, Julie Zaiser of Twin and Leille Chapman of Orange. The six-day Fair starts Aug. 9 at Costa Mesa, between Santa Ana and Newport Beach. Highlights include the National Horse Show, pirate musical performance, California State Baton Twirling Contest, Southern California Pogo Stick races, major Flower Show, Valencia Orange cake baking conest and huge Junior Fair. CALIFORNIA BANK PRESIDERS MERGER special meeting of the shareof California Bank has held for Aug. 12, 1955, to proposals to merge Union Bank of Pasadena, The National Bank, and Fishand Merchants Bank, San into California Bank. The mergers have been apply by the boards of directors respective institutions. Mits of California Bank will beased by more than $42., upon the effective date of merger, according to Frank L. president of California Deposits of the four banks June 30, 1955, were as folCalifornia Bank $688,368. National Bank of Pas- $19,669,991; The Covina $12,536,341; Fishermen and ents Bank, $9,920,406. EMPLOYMENT at W State High California begins fiscal 1955 the highest employment in history of the state and rapclining unemployment, the department of Industrial ans and the Department of ment announced today. St B. Webb, Director of the ment of Industrial Rela- 82 YEARS OF DEVOTION TO ALL THAT ANAHEIM ORANGE COUNTY'S OLDEST NEWSPAPER ESTABLISHED IN 1870 PUBLISHED EVERY THURSDAY VOLUME LXXXIII ANAHEIM, ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA. ASSESSMENTS TO CHANGE IN 19 COUNTIES ... BUT NOT HERE Action was initiated at Sacramento Monday by the State Board of Equalization looking toward upward adjustment of assessed values of 19 counties, not including Orange county which is recognized as one of the best in the state. This was done on the basis of a staff report that assessments in those counties should be raised to conform to the state-wide standard. Proceeding at the direction of the Legislature, the board staff has made a detailed study of more than 13,000 parcels of property selected at random from the 58 county tax rolls. After appraising these properties the staff reported that the prevalent practice of county assessors is to make assessments that are approximately 25 per cent of market value. In 39 counties it has been found that the average assessment does not deviate from this standard by more than 5 percentage points. No counties show assessment ratios in excess of 30 per cent, but in 19 counties, scattered Anaheim Exchange Club Installation On Thursday night July 14, the Anaheim Exchange Club and their wives met at Brothers Corral for a dinner meeting. Officers for the year 1955-56 were installed by Fred Burmester of San Bernardino, State and National committeeman of the National Exchange Club and Fred Crank of La Habra, State Treasurer of the California Exchange Club. The following officers were installed: President George Reed; vice-president, Ed Baker; secretary, Don Baggett; treasurer, Frank Cone; Board of Control: Fred Klein, Ed Stringer and Dr. D. D. Dornan. BECOMING A CITY WITHIN A CITY Old-fashioned steam locomowheel Mississippi river stea California begins fiscal 1955 the highest employment in history of the state and reclining unemployment, the Department of Industrial and the Department of Employment announced today. Matt B. Webb, Director of the Department of Industrial Relations said that June employment was an all-time record high mark was 86,000 over May of this year and 189,000 over June of the California civilian labor force to 5,338,000, an increase of 200 over June of 1954. Tom A. Burkett, Director of Department of Employment, said that unemployment declined 166,000 in June, which was lower than for May and below June of 1954. The Employment Insurance Fund has $825,400,000, the highest year closing balance on employers, Burkett said, hired record-breaking total of 140 workers through the Department of Employment in June, 95.4 more than for the same last year. Farm work accounted for 100,899 of these jobs, which to a large degree reflected success of the department's campaign to rid Californians of illegal "wetback". Mexiabor. Business and industry, 39,914 seekers found jobs through Department of Employment one, an increase of 47.7 per over June of 1954 and the number since October of 1953. Phuric acid is important in chemistry, science and art. School districts with lower than average assessment levels obtain State aid which belongs rightfully to other districts. As a result, property owners in districts with low assessment levels have not borne their fair share of the tax load, while those owning property elsewhere have been relatively over-taxed. Equalization would be achieved, according to the report, by raising local assessments in the counties affected by the following percentages: 30% - Alameda, Colusa, Riverside, San Benito, and Shasta. 35% - Butte, Marin, Merced, Sonoma, and Tulare. 15% - Contra Costa, Del Norte, Mariposa, and Stanislaus. 50% - Humboldt, Imperial, Mendocino, San Bernardino, and San Luis Obispo. It is emphasized that these adjustments are no reflection upon the quality of the work done by the assessor in any of the counties listed. His basic duty is described as promoting equality of tax treatment within his county by assessing all property at the same proportion of its market value. The report to the board indicate that the degree of intra-county equalization in the 19 counties does not compare unfavorably with that in the remaining 39. Stressing that the process of Inter-county equalization is designed to promote fair tax practices between counties, the report points out that approximately one-fifth of the money distributed by the State to school districts for their current expenses is "equalization aid." Under formula fixed by law, the amount of this aid tends to decrease as the assessed value of a school district increases. The following officers were installed: President George Reed; vice-president, Ed Baker; secretary, Don Baggett; treasurer, Frank Cone; Board of Control: Fred Klein, Ed Stringer and Dr. D. D. Doran. BECOMING A CITY WITHIN A CITY The 1955 California State Fair and Exposition, Sept. 1 through 11, is rapidly becoming a city within a city. This year, for example, the electricity needed on the Fairgrounds for the 11-day run to turn the grounds into a fairyland of color at night and to operate daytime facilities could supply a town of 1000 inhabitants for a period of over three months. Farm Bureau Head to Entertain Visiting Russians The much publicized group of twelve farmers from Russia, who are on tour of the United States and visiting on the farms, will spend the night and part of a day on the farm of George H. Wilson, Clarksburg. Wilson is president of the California Farm Bureau Federation and the first announcement of the expected visit by the Russian delegation was made at the recent staff conference of Wilson's organization at Asilomar. In attendance from Orange county were C. J. Marks, executive secretary of the County Farm Bureau, and Russell H. Hepler, Orange, and Charles Fallert, Fullerton, both regional field secretaries for the State Federation. George Wilson is to be the speaker at the meeting of the Associated Chambers of Commerce of Orange county at the county fairgrounds on the evening of July 26, according to Kenneth Casper, Yorba Linda, who is a member of the board of directors of the associated chambers and also a member of the board of the California Farm Bureau Federation. Democrats of Orange county will hold their first Convention and picnic next Sunday, July 24 in the Orange City Park in the city of Orange. The picnic is sponsored by the council of Democratic clubs of Orange county and the Democratic Central Committee. Attending the picnic as special guests will be Democratic dignitaries from throughout California Elizabeth Snyder, Chairman of the State Centra Committee; Pat Ziffrin, California Member of the National Democratic Committee; Richard Graves, recent democratic candidate for governor; Admiral Ross McIntyre, vice-president of the California democratic council and Freddie Kuriloff, chairman of the C.D.C., for the 28th congressional district. Main speaker will be Alice Cranston, president of the California democratic council. Democrats in Orange county are invited to attend. Time for the picnic is 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Plenty of fun for the children promised and paid attendants will watch the little ones. Each family will bring its own lunch and coffee will be served by the committee. The theme of this year's California State Fair and Exposition September 1 through 11, will "Sunshine and Water," two themes most valuable resources. To carry out this theme, samples of water from every county in California will be transported to the Fairgrounds for opening day ceremonies. School districts with lower than average assessment levels obtain State aid which belongs rightfully to other districts. As a result, property owners in districts with low assessment levels have not borne their fair share of the tax load, while those owning property elsewhere have been relatively over-taxed. Equalization orders will have the effect of raising all locally assessed values by a uniform percentage throughout a county. Except for school district taxes affected by the State apportionment formula, the higher assessment should not result in significant tax increases. Amounts needed to operate local governments will be unaffected by State Board action. Property tax rates should be reduced commensurate with higher assessed values whenever these result from equalization orders designed to bring local assessments up to the prevailing standard. The board is notifying the officials of the 19 counties of the proposed action. Hearings have been scheduled in Sacramento during the two weeks beginning July 25. Meanwhile, the board is making appraisal details available to the assessors. BANK DECLARES QUARTERLY DIVIDEND At the meeting of the Board of Directors of Bank of America on July 19 in San Francisco, the regular quarterly dividend of 40 cents per share was declared on the bank's common stock. The dividend, which is at the annual rate of $1.60 per share, is payable on August 31 to shareholders of record August 10. CALIFORNIANS EN ROUTE TO “Y” Centennial convention visit U.S. Capital. Party from Orange county greeted at National Airport by Mrs. Thomas H. Kuchel during stop-over at beginning of seven-week European trip to be climaxed by attendance at 100th anniversary of founding of YMCA with delegates Flanking Mgloves) are for from Santa Anaheim, CALIFORNIA STATE LIBRARY GOOD IN ANAHEIM ALL THAT GOOD IN ANAHEIM GAZETTE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA, THURSDAY, JULY 21, 1955 NO. 37 fashioned steam locomotive and sternal Mississippi river steamboat add note of nostalgia to Disneyland, giving oldsters fond memories; enthralling youngsters. DISCORRATS TO PICNIC Discocrats of Orange county hold their first Convention picnic next Sunday, July 24, at Orange City Park in the Orange. The picnic is attended by the council of Democrat clubs of Orange county and Democratic Central Committee. The picnic will be Democratic dignified throughout California; Beth Snyder, Chairman of State Centra Committee; Paul Culver, California Member of the National Democratic Committee; and Graves, recent democratic state for governor; Admiral McIntyre, vice-president of California democratic council; Freddie Kurilloff, chairman of D.C., for the 28th congress district. An speaker will be Alan Anton, president of the Cali-democratic council. Discocrats in Orange county invited to attend. Time of picnic is 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Day of fun for the children is used and paid attendants will be the little ones. Family will bring its own food and coffee will be served by committee. The theme of this year's Call-a-State Fair and Exposition, number 1 through 11, will be "shine and Water," two of state's most valuable resources to carry out this theme, sam-of water from every county California will be transported to Fairgrounds for opening ceremonies. MET. WATER AGAIN FLOWS The Metropolitan Water District aqueduct from the Colorado River was back in full operation Thursday morning, July 14, along the full 557 miles of its length following a partial interruption of water flow caused by an earth shift. The earth shift was at the Casa Loma Siphon section four miles west of the San Jacinto tunnel near Hemet and caused a leakage in one of the siphon joints, but the damage was not severe, according to Robert B. Diemer, General Manager and Chief Engineer of the District. He stated that the aqueduct was carrying 200,000 gallons of water a minute at the point where the earth shift occurred, but the leakage amounted to only 600 gallons per minute for a very short time. The only portion of the Metropolitian Water District area where aqueduct water was temporarily cut off was in the Hemet and Peris valleys. The greater part of the District was continuously served from Lake Mathews, located 20 miles west of the Casa Loma Siphon. Lake Mathews now has about 30 billion gallons of water in storage. Aqueduct water that serves the San Diego portions of the District is diverted from the main line before it reaches the Casa Loma Siphon so there was no interruption in service in that area. Repair work on the siphon section was completed in less than five days, Diemer stated. DISNEYLAND Draws Many To Opening A crowd estimated at 30,000 descended on Disneyland Sunday afternoon at the preview-opening of the amusement park. Traffic congestion on the Santa Ana Freeway was described by Highway Patrol officers as "the worst in history of the Freeway." In the nation-wide telecast of the event, Gov. Goodwin J. Knight of California, and Gov. Frank Clement of Tennessee participated. Following is a story on some of the attractions viewed by opening-day visitors. If you really want to get away from it all for a few hours, you can do it now via a new route. Just head for Disneyland park. For vacationers, weekend travelers, or plain Sunday drivers a tour through the unbelievable playground will be a trip that is almost literally out of this world. Because behind the high embankment that shuts in the heart-shaped park and shuts out present day cares, are "new worlds" of enchantment serving up fun for all kinds and ages of people. Entering the park your first view is of Main Street, a replica of a typical small city street as it looked at the turn of the century. The scene will undoubtedly start a good deal of talk about Anaheim as it was "way back when." Horse-drawn street cars will trundle up and down the street, stopping to pick up passengers. Occasionally, the horse-drawn hose and chemical wagon will roar. "Aqueduct water that serves the San Diego portions of the District is diverted from the main line before it reaches the Casa Loma Siphon so there was no interruption in service in that area. Repair work on the siphon section was completed in less than five days, Diemer stated. Horse-drawn street cars will trundle up and down the street, stopping to pick up passengers. Occasionally, the horse-drawn hose and chemical wagon will roar out of the fire house in a very real rush to some imaginary fire. Clustered around the "town square" are the fire house, the city hall, the Disneyland railroad station, the opera house and several mercantile shops. Moving out of the square and up the street, visitors will find the emporium busy with shoppers actually making purchases. An operating branch bank will be open for business, as will a photo shop, meat market, drug store, penny arcade, oldtime nickelodeon, and even an old-fashioned ice cream parlor. In keeping with the 50-years-ago theme, various stores along the main stem will be sponsored by companies that have been in business 50 years or more. Visitors who time their trip to bring them to Main St. at dusk (the park will be open from 10 a.m., to 10 p.m., every day this summer) will be treated to the nostalgic sight of a lamplighter setting aglow the 100-year-old gas lamps that line the street. At the end of Main Street is the Plaza, the hub of Disneyland, from which any of the lands may be entered. Driver license applicants in 1954 were involved in 308 accidents during tests given by the Department of Motor Vehicles."