anaheim-gazette 1962-01-11

Virgil Pinkley's By VIRGIL PINKLEY Editor and Publisher The passing of a newspaper is a sad development. This is especially true if the newspaper is one you have given nine years of your life to, as I did the Los Angeles Mirror. I was its founding editor and publisher in 1948. The Times-Mirror Company had asked me to resign my vice presidency and general European managership of the United Press, and bring to a close a career of 19 years I was most privileged to have with that fine international news gathering agency, to return to Los Angeles and become the first head of the Mirror. For nine years I gave the newspaper, its staff and its owners all the loyalty, dedication and hard work of which I was capable, coupled with whatever professional skills I might possess. I attempted from the first edition to be fair with the public — all groups and segments — and to present objectively both sides of any newsworthy situation. 220,000 Circulation I left the newspaper more than four years ago, in October 1957, with the publication vigorous and moving ahead. Staff morale was high. The newspaper had gone from no circulation to 320,000 sold copies daily in eight busy, challenging and difficult years. It published more than 17 million lines of paid advertising in that final year. The Mirror then had the largest home delivered circulation of any afternoon newspaper in the entire West. It's Classified advertising section was nearly three times the size of its immediate competitor, the then 68-year-old Herald Express. We were behind the Herald Express only a few thousand in circulation. The Mirror was a crusading newspaper insofar as it was possible to crusade. No apologies need to be made for our basic policies in the beginning, our concept of news and how it should be presented, for the awards and honors which we were fortunate receive, or for the fact that Mirror attempted to meet its responsibilities as a part of free press. The record and progress of the Mirror for nine years was impressive. It is indeed too great that this progress did not continue. I had hoped with all heart that the paper would grow and prosper and serve. Many Jobs Lost So, the demise last week of Mirror and Hearst's 58-year Examiner bring a heavy heed and a deep feeling of nostalgia. Also, I have deep regret that many fine newspaper men and women have lost their jobs. Los Angeles and Southern California really needed and continued to need a newspaper of the character and type first envisaged by the Mirror. The Times-Mirror Company had vision and financial courage in starting the M... Parking Limits Off In Downtown City Parking meters in downtown Anaheim will be removed. The City Council Tuesday approved the removal of all parking meters in the City with the exception of those special meters indicating green zones. The drive to have the meters removed for a six month trial period was sparked by the Downtown Merchants' Association in an attempt to spur business. The change is officially to begin Feb. 1, but the Council ordered that removal of the meters begin immediately. Opposition was provided by those merchants having businesses on streets off Lincoln. They felt employees of a few large concerns doing business downtown would monopolize the parking areas on Lincoln and force customers to park off Lincoln. In an effort to combat this, all downtown merchants are reported to be instructing their employees to park in non-restrictive areas only. Barney Jordan, manager of the United California Bank, and president of the Anaheim Chamber of Commerce put teeth in his throat persistent violation of the directive might be grounds for dismissal. Commission Resets Dike Water Hearing The California Public Utilities Commission this week reset a public hearing on three meters involving the Dyke Water Company for Jan. 31 in Los Angeles. The hearing had previously been scheduled for Jan. 10. The hearing was postponed at the request of Richard Roe, attorney for the company, who asked for the continuance because of a death in the Lansdale family, which controls the utility. The hearing will be before PUC Examiner F. Everett Emerson at 10 a.m. in the Commission courtroom, State Office Building, 107 S. Broadway. OC Gets ¼ Million State Controller Alan Cranston said today the December apportionment of highway users taxes amounted to $295,872,023. AROUND ANAHEIM Concerning Civic Action; Families By R. H. (Bob) Abboreno Gazette News Editor "Citizenship in Action" is a catch phrase for some patriotic organizations and generally reaches no further than that — a catch phrase. Except in Anaheim, that is. Question of right or wrong aside, local citizens are interested in their government and the city in which they live. Anyone doubting this should attend some of the City Council meetings and meetings of the City Planning Board. At Monday's meeting of the Planning Board, a ticket scalper could have made a fortune for himself if he had only had the foresight to print tickets — and the ingenuity to enforce the seating. And if tranquilizer companies employed direct salesmen they could have cleaned up, selling the temper-soothers to members of the board and irate citizens (particularly women). True, much of the interest was local, concerning zoning changes in residential districts, and involving property values, but, like charity, civic interest begins at home. If a person isn't interested in his backyard, he can hardly be expected to be concerned with his government and representatives. A prime example of what I am talking about is the Sunkist Civic Association members and their dogfight with the threat of an airfield in their vicinity. While it is the opinion of this (Please Turn to Page Four) Disneyland Special Is Available A "Passport to Disneyland" ticket, offering visitors to the Anaheim Park admission every ride and attraction as often as they desire, will be available to guests beginning immediately. Disneyland officials announce today. Described as "the greatest entertainment value" ever offered at Disneyland, the "Passport" includes admission to the Park and a complete day of enjoying all attractions throughout the Magna Kingdom. Priced at $4.50 for adults and $3.50 for children under 12, the "Passport to Disneyland" will be available now through April 13. In addition to the "Passport," Disneyland's box office will continue to offer its "Big 10" ticket books, general admission media and the popular Guided Tour. Hey's Views on Mirror and how it should be prepared, for the awards and honwhich we were fortunate to love, or for the fact that the or attempted to meet its full consibilities as a part of a press. The record and progress of mirror for nine years were passive. It is indeed too bad this progress did not true. I had hoped with all my that the paper would grow, prosper and serve. Many Jobs Lost In the demise last week of the corr and Hearst's 50-year-old miner bring a heavy heart a deep feeling of nostalgia. I have deep regret that so fine newspaper men and have lost their jobs. Angeles and Southern Calia really needed and continue a newspaper of the charand type first envisaged for Mirror. The Times-Mirror many had vision and financourage in starting the Mir- VIRGIL PINKLEY ror. It is too bad that America's third city (and one day to become our largest) and a county with more than seven million people now have only two daily newspapers and that their basic policies are fairly similar. Real all-out newspaper competition now becomes virtually a thing of the past in Los Angeles. The public is the real loser in this unfortunate series of events. In our magnificent system of competitive free enterprise we need first class competition in all phases of our business life, newspapers and mass media communications included. Why did the Examiner and the Mirror fail, or the arrangement which has now been effected come about? Many Reasons There is no easy and short answer. The reasons are many. Permit me, however, to pass on my observations and conclusions based on 30 years of daily newspaper experience at home and overseas, including the nine valuable and fruitful years spent at the Mirror. What I am going to write will not win me any Pulitzer prizes, nor are these views likely to lead to my being requested to address a meeting of publishers. criticism in most industrial business is unpopular and especially true of newspapers. Whenever a newspaper and especially a metro daily, the reasons most pop advanced is that costs have raced income, or that economically dictated such a course. This be true to a considerable degree but it is not the entire answer it begs to issue. For a newspaper to succeed pecially a new one in a contative market such as Los Angeles was, it must have even abnancial means, an editoriality which adds up to its fill need of the public. It must character and a personalia sharp identity. There may be a need and a purpose. Great newspapers start from editor's chair — and from no er point. Little Feel For News Today more and more newspers, especially in metropo- Heim Gazette ously in Orange County's "Number One" City For 92 Years PR 2-1800 Anaheim, California, Thursday, January 11, 1962 eim Gazette ously in Orange County's "Number One" City For 92 Years PR 2-1800 Anaheim, California, Thursday, January 11, 1962 Placentia Airfield Fig City Recieves Hal Million As Tax Cu Anaheim received a $542,546 as its share of state administration of k sales and use taxes, Rich Nevins, Fourth District m ber of the State Board of E lization announced this wee The amount was second Santa Ana's $597,844. The C ty received $119,676. Advance payments w made in Nov.; final paym came in Dec. Ball Rd. Sewer Begins This Wee Work is expected to start week on the Ball Rd. sewer struction project, according to Anaheim City Engineering partment. The work will take place Ball Rd., between Placentia and Eaton Way. Because of extreme sandy area, the pro is expected to take approxima ROYALTY — Pretty Cleona Woodruff, Orange County March of Dimes Queen Anaheim , is surrounded by her brother, and her sister, Coren. Nine-year-old Cleona will preside at the Orange County 1962 March of Dimes Horse Show, Jan. 21 (See story on page 5). (Gazette Photo) Disneyland Special Is Available New Theater-Hall Slated For City The Anaheim City Council flashed the "green light" Tuesday on plans to begin construction of a million dollar, 3,000 seat theater-in-the-round and convention hall on Harbor Blvd. Work of the structure is expected to begin within the next 30 days. In addition to the theater-convention hall facilities, provisions for an exclusive 'key-hole' type restaurant were also included. Completion of plans and details of the site were announced yesterday by Bertram L. Tesman, Orange County physician and president of the Orange Circle Theater Corporation. (See architects' drawing on page 4) The new structure, largest theater-type building in Orange County, will be a reinforced concrete dome-type structure to be located on a nine acre parcel of land on Harbor Blvd. between Katella St. and the Santa Ana Freeway, which has been leased for 40 years by the Orange Circle Theater Corporation for Gerald Hegar and Leo Freedman. Peter Kiewit & Sons Company, who will build the Los Angeles Music Center, are scheduled to begin construction of the Anaheim structure within the next 30 days, with completion on or before July 1. The Los Angeles firm of Hawkins and Lindsey, AIA, have completed plans for the building which was engineered by A. J. Blaylock and Associates. The entire project has been privately financed by a group of Orange County investors. To be known as the Orange Circle Theater, the new project will be similar, but nearly double the size, of the only other theater of its kind in the world, the Cinema Arts Theater in San Diego. It will be of the "theater-in-ground" type, the entire building being circular with a circle stage surrounded by the audience with no seat further than 19 feet from the stage, and containing pillars or balcony. It will be completely air-cooled and will be equipped with both television and radio transmission. Another structure, of the same architectural design and type construction, to be built adjacent and connected to the theater plexer, will house offices, dress rooms, rehearsal hall, proper wardrobe and scenery stalls. In addition, there will be paved parking area sufficient 1500 cars. Mirror's Death meeting of publishers. Self-interest in most industries or business is unpopular and this is especially true of newspapers. Whenever a newspaper fails, especially a metropolitan one, the reasons most popularly advanced is that costs have outpaced income, or that economics stated such a course. This may be true to a considerable degree, it is not the entire answer and pegs to issue. For a newspaper to succeed, especially a new one in a competitive market such as Los Angeles, it must have even above financial means, an editorial policy which adds up to its filling of the public. It must have character and a personality — sharp identity. There must be need and a purpose. Great newspapers start from an editor's chair — and from no other point. Little Feel For News today more and more newspapers, especially in metropolitan markets, are directed by former bankers, lawyers, labor negotiators, public relations experts, promoters or third and fourth generation heirs of the founder. These people, in most instances, watch the box office returns. They have little feel or flair for news — the basic content of any newspaper. Few of them have ever covered police beats, sat on a rewrite desk, written editorials, made up a front page or read proof. They are not editorially trained, or if they are, the experience is one of short duration. Now a few of these men develop a good sense of news or they have the intelligence and courage to give an editor whom they trust a completely free hand at all times on all issues. They do not permit friends, wives, business associates or other members of their families to interfere. Most meetings of publishers these days are given over largely to discussions of newsprint costs, the growing problem of unions and rank feather-bedding, how to reduce their respective fields by merging newspapers or buying out competitors, or how to live with television and radio. Little time, thought and effort go into how better newspapers — much better ones — can be produced. Little is said about increased community and area service and help for the people living in them. Then in addition to a host of increased costs, newspapers are confronted with changes in American life. Transportation and communications and urban living are not considered sufficiently. Newspaper practices and policies tend to become rigid and deny flexibility. Research in the industry is held to a minimum. Publishers fight change and they are slow, for example, to adopt and use color in editorial or advertising content although their chief rivals — television, magazines and outdoor advertising — have done (Please turn to Page Eight). ORANGE COUNTY'S FIRST NEWSPAPER Established in 1870 Per Month Delivered 25¢ Eight Pages ORANGE COUNTY'S FIRST NEWSPAPER Established in 1870 Per Month Delivered 25¢ Eight Pages All Fight On Again Parties To Meet At 9 a.m. Today by R. H. Abborane Gazette News Editor Another chapter will be played in the bitter and emotional drama of Anaheim's "Ghost Airfield" this morning at approximately 9:30 a.m. At that time members of the Sunkist Civic Association will meet with W. R. (Bill) Messenger, vice president of Co-Ordinated Construction, Inc., in the construction company's office on South Los Angeles St. Each faction — Sunkist on one side, Messenger and Co-Ordinated on the other — will have definite ideas of what they would like to accomplish — each opposed to that of the other. Co-Ordinated Construction would like to assure the representatives of the Sunkist housing tract that the 1500 foot landing strip they want to build in the East Anaheim-Autonetics area is simply a time-saver and not a time-bomb, which might be exploded by the County Airport Commission and County Board of Supervisors and, eventually, be used as an excuse to build a permanent county airfield in the area. which has been hovering over them for at least the past year and which they have been fighting vehemently. The original tussle started a little better than a year ago, when members of the Sunkist housing tract learned the county master plan for future airfield expansion called for an airfield in the East Anaheim-Placentia vicinity. The general confusion was added to when certain unauthorized persons, members of the Anaheim City Council, and the Anaheim Chamber of Commerce, began discussing the potential airfield, and in the case of the unattached individuals, even began making positive moves toward the project. Faced by what they felt to be a concrete threat, the Sunkist people began taking action which in(Please Turn to Page Four) INSIDE ... • EDITORIAL PAGE 2 • UNSUNG HEROES PAGE 2 Work is expected to start this week on the Ball Rd. sewer connection project, according to the Anaheim City Engineering Department. The work will take place on the Ball Rd., between Placentia Ave. and Eaton Way. Because of the same sandy area, the project expected to take approximately 15 days. Contract for the job was awarded to Shamrock-Park Construction Co., Los Angeles, and is worth $27,742.18. In the not too distant future multi-story office buildings, hotels and apartments may be gracing the Anaheim skyline. The Anaheim City Council has been considering removing the height restrictions from downtown buildings and, Tuesday, ordered the City Attorney to look into the matter. Businessmen who are not members of the Chamber of Commerce should expect visits from members of the Chamber's membership committee within the next month or so. The Chamber plans to put on a big drive the last week in Feb. Present membership is 601, they plan to make it at least 800 by the end of the year. Sports enthusiasts should begin getting excited over the Anaheim High Colonists. The local cagers continued their winning ways, Tuesday, dumping Newport Harbor, 55-37, for their 11th win in 12 starts this year. They play Fullerton Friday night at Fullerton. Standard Oil will fight down to the wire to gain their well-drilling permit, but sentiment in proposed drilling site area — Brookhurst St.-Ball Rd. — is too strong against it. Assemblyman Richard T. Hanna, D-Fullerton, today has opened his campaign for election to U.S. Congress to represent the newly-created 24th Congressional District. The much-rumored candidacy was made official at a Disneyland Hotel press conference yesterday afternoon by Hanna. He has served this area in the California State Assembly for six years.