This is our opinion concerning: Facing facts
March 27, 1941
There is an inclination prevalent among people who are somewhat self-sufficient and who live in such nature that a natural seclusion is created, as in Lake County, to feel that the word of fast moving events is all a play and we are merely a part of an audience, sitting in a box beside the stage.
Such, however, is far from the truth, as each of us would find were war to come to this land, especially from the far east. In that event this would be found to be an especially vulnerable spot.
Also because of the large number of our young men who have found employment in the Navy Yard, the matter of national defense should be a subject of large personal interest.
Because we, in Lake county are not, cannot be, and do not want to be isolationists, we are quoting this week in our editorial column a comment on the national situation by the Industrial New Review, of Portland:
“If a vestige of doubt remained in any mind as to this country’s position in the current world struggle for power, the President’s speech at the White House Correspondents Association dinner should have dissipated it. There was no humor in the President’s voice. There were no light touche. He had grave words to say, and he said them gravely.
That speech, coming hard on the heels of Congress’ approval of the lend-lease bill, made our policy clear as crystal – we are out to destroy dictatorship, and the entire resources of this nation will be spent freely to that end. He denounced the Nazis by name. He accused them of seeking the destruction of elective systems of government on every continent, including our own. He accused them of seeking to stir up controversies and to create disunion within all democracies, including our own. And he said that they would fail – that the would-be conquerors will find that the forces of democracy, though they may move slowly, will in the end be supreme.
“That speech was obviously designed for more than American ears. Immediately after it was made, it was broadcast to the far corners of the world, in 14 different languages. It went by short wave, to Germany, to the occupied nations, to Africa, to South America. For this government feels, as do the British, that the moral effect of 100 per cent support of the democracies’ war is as important in some ways as will be tits material effect. It is no secret the Britain expects that revolts in the conquered nations will eventually be a major factor contributing to Hitler’s collapse. The fact that the United States has actually intervened in the war, even though only as a “non-belligerent,” is expected to give new hope to the millions of people who now live as virtual prisoners of the Nazi-facist system.
It is significant that the President had little to say concerning the world after the war. The whole emphasis, here and in England, is now being placed upon victory. That dominates all official thinking and planning. There is little time for discussion about the world order of the future. That must wait.
Highly important were the President’s words to industry and labor. He definitely took the stand that many have wanted him to take for months – he said that all must work harder and longer, that all must expect smaller profits. He said, in effect, that all must sacrifice, and that nothing will be permitted to stand in the way of the swiftest possible consummation of the aid-to-the-democracies program.
So the policy has been finally established. The debate is over, and even the opponents of the lend-lease plan admit that public sentiment is overwhelmingly behind it now the real job begins – to make and supply the weapons Britain and China and Greece must have. That calls for greater industrial productivity than we have so far obtained. It calls for a ship-building drive of unprecedented proportions. Further, it may very likely call for use of the American navy to convey merchant ships to England – it is obvious that our weapons will be of no use if the ships bearing them are sunk by the dozen in the Atlantic.
The President’s request for a $7,000,000,000 appropriation to put the lend-lease plan into effect, was unquestionably designed as a dramatic gesture. It is known that at least two years must pass before it will be possible for our factories to produce that value of goods for England – some think the war will be over before the appropriation is exhausted. The president apparently preferred to ask for a tremendous appropriation at once, rather than to request smaller sums at intervals over a period of time, in order to show the dictators that we really mean business.
Soaring interest rates add to courthouse lease costs
March 24, 1966
Lakeport >> Increase in bond interest rates will mean an additional annual lease payment of $8,575, the Board of Supervisors leaned Monday from Phillip Lewis, chairman of the courthouse advisory committee, who presented an interim report on progress of the new facility.
Mr. Lewis recommended to the board that the project proceed as fast as possible, leaving out non-essentials such as painting the inside of the jail and a museum basement, and that the bonds be sold. He noted that the bond market rate is the highest now since 1934. Interest was pegged at three and three quarters per cent when planning started in 1964. It is now up to 4.5 percent and could still climb.
The additional lease cost can be absorbed by the county, but it will be necessary to raise the tax rate in future years sooner than anticipated. He did not specify how soon the raise would be needed.
EOC Funds
Application for 50 percent financing from the Emergency Operating Center Civil Defense funds, fell thru Mr. Lewis said. The application was turned down by the Region 7 office in Santa Rosa although state CD people approved it.
Mr. Lewis consoled the board with the observation that compliance with federal requirements would have proved so costly and in excess of the county’s own requirements, that little would have been gained from receiving federal funds form this source.
He pledged the full cooperation of the committee to try and recover for the county at least half of the $17,920 the study cost in order to apply for EOC funds.
He mentioned one federal requirement of a $5,000 radiation proof door, as an example.
He explained that the EOC felt the county did not merit matching funds except term, interest free. This would cost the county, as 4.5 per cent, $109,700 for a grant of $160,000.
The present schedule calls for presentation of final drawings the first week in May, issuing an immediate call for bids to be opened by June 10 and work to be underway by late June.
Plans still call for 69,000 square feet of new construction at a total cost of $2.5 million.
Gas company safe cracked; $450 stolen
March 24, 1966
Clearlake Highlands >> The office of Clear Lake Gas Co. here was entered Sunday night, the safe broken open and $450 stolen, the sheriff’s office reports.
Entry was made by forcing a back door. The safe was wheeled into a back room where it was opened with a sledge hammer and crow bar. Also missing is a $140 propane cutting torch.
In a second burglary Sunday night, Superior Propane Co., Lower Lake reported loss of $20 from a cash register. Entry was made by forcing a window.
Eastlake Elementary school in Clearlake Oaks was entered sometime Wednesday night by smashing the glass in the door to the principal’s office. Cabinets, drawers and desks were ransacked, but nothing was missing.
Lake county contractors attack local phone service
March 31, 1966
Clearlake Highlands >> The Lake County Contractor’s exchange announced this week that a special meeting is scheduled April 13 at Wiseda Resort, Clearlake Highlands, for an open discussion on current telephone toll procedures and rates and charges which seriously affect the seven million dollar construction industry of Lake county. Dinner will start at 7:30 p.m., the meeting at 8:30 sharp.
George Amaroli of the public utilities commission, State of California, utilities division, has agreed to be present to furnish PUC Guidance and its position on the current conditions and four officials of the Pacific Telephone and Telegraph company have also agreed to be present. The PT&T officials will be from the San Francisco, Sacramento, and Lakeport offices.
The contractors exchange of Lake county has been conduction cost studies of how high tolls and operator service has been affecting their business.
Comparison costs with areas relative to mileage and types of service will be brought out at the April 13 meeting in an effort to speed up the dial service and to bring rates in line.
While there has been concern by several groups as to when the problem can be alleviated, the Lake County Contractors exchange have chosen to bring the issue into full focus, with PUC representative present.
Contractors, more than many other types of businesses, cannot obtain their sub contractor services and material supplies from their own local free toll confines as now set up by the PT & T toll system. Each job calls for many long distance calls, to arrange for construction services and supplies, or permits and inspections. All of these costs amount to extra charges which cannot always be passed on to the consumer.
An industry the size of the construction industry, dependent on communications all around the lake to outside areas is seriously hampered by the high costs and the delay of service through operators and long distance procedures, an exchange spokesman said.
While there have been previous meetings in the County which have met with PT & T officials regarding the problem, this is the first time that a local industry with a more than $7 million gross product has taken up the issue.
Howard Day, president of the exchange, together with his board of directors, have asked for this April 13 meeting and, subsequent to the results of the discussion, are preparing to follow through as far as is necessary to hasten relief to the problem.
Other organized groups who may wish to sit in on the meeting should contact the exchange office at 105 South Main in Lakeport for reservations. Telephone 263-9949.
