The record-union., 1899-01-02
DISTRESS WAS MAGhIFlED.
CONDITION OF AFFAIRS IN
MONTEREY COUNTY.
Mr. Maslin's Interesting Report to
the President Of the State
Board of Trade.
(From the San Francisco Post.)


Am interesting report, and one that
will have q. counter effect on the great
ly exaggerated reports concerning the
destitution in Monterey County, has
just been written by E. w. Maslln.
When the sensational news was first
published about the starving families,
the State Board of Trade sent Mr. Mas
lin to the district to thoroughly investi-
gate the situation and, if possible, de-
ternine the primary cause of the un-
fortunate condition of the people.
1t is almost needless to state that Mr..
Maslin, who proceeded with his task in
q most careful manner, was soon made
to realize that the original reports sent
to this city and afterward telegraphed
East, to the detriment of the State, had
been grealy exaggerated.
While destitution exists there, and
has existed for some time, Mr.. Maslin,
In his report, which will be read at the
next meeting Of the Board of Trade,
shows that it is confined to a very
small section Of Monterey County, and
one in which there is little hope of ever
realizing the fruits Of industry, no
matter how it may be applied.
To the geographical and geological
mainly attributes the present troubles
Of the people living there.
His report shows that the soil is non
retentdve. 1t rapidly sheds the moist
ure, and, under the influence of winds,
dries up. The only exception to the
condition is along the banks of the Sa-
inas River.
Mr.. Maslin also found the wage-earn-
ers much inclined to Incidence, and he
goes further to show that there are evils
existing there which can never be rem
edied.
Throughout the report, which will, no
doubt, do much toward settling Monte
rey County right in the minds of the
people of the outside world, Mr.. Maslin
furnishes convincing data to show, as
stated before, that the scene of the dis
fress is but very small portion of the
county, and certainly compare lively
like an acre space on the surface of
productive California. Following Is the
report in full:
To the President and members of the
State Board Of Trade-Gentlemen In
accordance with your direction, I Wis
1ted the section of Monterey County
where it had been alleged there was
dest1tutfon among the farmers. Lock-
wood. It appeared, being the central
point of distress, I selected the valley
In which Lockwood is situated as the
field of observation
I was directed to ascertain the cause
Of the assumed distress, rather than to
inquire into the fact whether the farm
ers were really in need Of assistance.
either for themselves or their stock I
may say, however, that the need of the
inhabitants for food has been exagger-
ated, but the stock is suffering; there is
no pasturage on the hills, and the farm
ers have no grain or hay. There is no
doubt that there was a failure of crops
In the southern part of the county last
year, and the present condition of the
weather offers little hope for the crop of
1899.
The evil, to follow the reports of the
distressed, is that Monterey County
must suffer in repute in the State, and
the whole Of eIfe State must suffer in the
estimation Of the people Of the East,
who VIII not understand that the sec
ton Of the county affected is not type
OF the soil or the meteorological condi-
t1on Of the State. The causes Of the
present poverty of the settlers in the
south OF the county are purely local. To
appreciate this one must be advised of
the geographical and geological feat
ures of the section.
The Salinas River heads in San Luis
Obispo County, and runs northwesterly
through the county of Monterey, empty
ing into Monterey Bay. The soil of the