Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-02
PROPOSED STATE OF CALIZoNA.
To Be Formed Out of Southern Cali
fornia and Arizona.
From the Los Angeles News.

From the Los Angeles News.
The suggestion of Arizonans and Los
Angelans to segregate the counties OF
southern California, annex the territory of
Arizona, and form a new state, having COM
mon interests and claims, has decided mer-
its, well worthy of consideration. Such
union was proposed a number of years
ago, when the division of California was
urged by many citizens living south of the
Tehachapi, and, if we mistake not, it was
W. H. Knight of Los Angeles who invent
ed the short, euphonious name of CaliZona
for the appellation of the proposed new
state
In addition to the seven counties usually
classed as southern California-namely, San
Diego, Orange, Riverside San Bernardin
Los Angeles Ventura and Santa Barbara
there are three others which naturally be-
long to this section of the state-San Luis
Obispo Kern and Inyo. These ten coun-
ties comprise an area of &C, 767 square miles,
u about two-fifths of the area of Calfor-
mia. Their population, according to the
census of 1900, 341 .645 Adding 30 DER
cent for the average increase In the last
five years-certainly a moderate estimate,
for Los Angeles alone nearly doubled its
population in that period-the present popu-
lation of the ten counties is close to 500, 900.
If to this is added the area of Arizona.
112, $50 square miles. and its census pop
ulation of 1900 1921 31, also with a 30 per
cent increase, bringing II up to 1SS,e40 we
shall have aggregate population not far
from 650,000 with which to start the new
state of Calizona. There were nineteen
states with a less population in 1900.
1t is suggested that Los Angeles will
naturally become the capital of the new
state, but there may be other claimants for
that honor. With few exceptions the state
capitals have not been located at the met
ropolitan centers. In the early days of the
republic there was a strong sentiment
against having the political capital in the
commercial metropolis it was deemed I'M
wise to have the legislative halls brought
into too close contact with commercial in
nuences. If that sentiment should prevail
in the new state the capital might be To-
Gated at Pomona or Redlands or Riverside.
Either of these towns Is easily reached
from all points of the proposed new COM
monwealth.
Calizona's representation In Congress
would be two United States senators and
three representatives but the latter would
be increased by one or two representatives
by the census of 1910. The two great states
of California and Calizona would then
work effectively together for common inter-
ests, and could WELD a much greater in
ffuence than at present in the halls of Con-
gress and In all national affairs. The de-
velopment of the port of San Pedro and
Wilmington harbor would receive new
stimulus Asiatic lines of steamers would
be established, and Los Angeles would be-
come the recognized emporium OF all the
southwest with all its magnificent agri-
cultural and mineral resources and It's
splendid commercial possibilities.
Let all sections of southern California and
Arizona make concerted effort to create,
organize develop and perfect the new and
Imperial state of Calizona. Before the next
census Is taken Ii should be known in all
lands and should be unrivaled In reputa-
ton for climate, scenery, productions, rapid
growth and wonderful development.