Los Angeles herald., 1909-10-26
THE THREE D1sGRAcEs

~ oMMoN SENSE would suggest the
fruit growers know far better
~ than the Southern Pacific machine
the type, quality, caliber and qualifica-
tions of the men who should be depu-
ties to A. R. Meserve the horticultural
commissioner whose appointment was
held up until yesterday by the solid
three members of the board of super
visors. But when 1t comes to playing
politics common sense Is dismissed by
the trusty trio, Eldrldge, Nellis and
McCabe. Erwin Dingle's' qualification
for office is that he is a Southern Pa
cific machine creature. His type is
the Southern Pacific machine type. His
caliber is the Southern Pacific ma
chine caliber. In spite of the urgent
recommendation of the fruit growers
that c. E. Bemis and S. Strong should
be appointed deputies by the commits
sioner (who under the law has the
right to name his own men) Meserve.
1t appears, was blocked" at the
threshold of his office until he signi-
fed his willingness to capitulate to the
SOilu lllI66 III AChBCGl VI bAlGlE uidlA
Dingle, who is their man Dingle" be-
cause he is the Southern Pacific's man
Dingle.
The McGarvinized section of the
board of supervisors acted Southern
Practically in a concerted automatic
manner that must have been charming
to the heart of Don the McGarvinizer,
whose solid three are guaranteed to
mark split-second time and run regu-.
larly for the S. P. as long as the
works last. The appointment of Din
gle by Meserve is a triumph of ma
chine politics. and Mr.. McGarvin has
added q formidable item to the huge
bill of Indebtedness this community
owes him for his kind, benevolent, pa
ternal, Internal interference in public
affairs.
The S. P, Don McGarvin, the solid
three and their man Dingle-this is the
formidable combination that has disre-
garded the wishes of the excellent citi-
zens who represent one of the most i'm
portant industrial interests of Southern
California, the great fruit growing in
terest.
1t was a Vanderbilt who said, "The
public be damned" McGarvin and the
solid three have substituted 1.-The fruit
growers" for 1.-The public" but there
can be no doubt of the sincerity and
heartiness which characterize their en-
thusiastic retention of the opprobrious
commination.
1t is evident the solid three super
visors care little for the citrus
growers and less for the general pub
lie. For whom or for what do they
care? Is It not evident they are willing
to care" more or less, for Don
Qulxote McGarvin? And do they love
him for himself alone? No!
Then why are they willing to accept
McGarvin's hints as to how the board
should be run?
For an explanation we must look for
the power behind McGarvin. This lit
tie man per Sc is not a formidable
character, but, plus the interests for
which he may very reasonably be sup
posed to be the accredited spokesman
In matters political as we'll as in other
matters, his influence for good or for
/ bad must be reckoned with, Solidlty
among any members of any public
body is suspicious. Solidity plus Nc
Garvin puts upon the solid ones the
burden of proving they are not being
subjected to influences which have
never been used for the good or for the
advancement Of Los Angeles city or
county, or of Southern California, but
always for the benefit of a corporation
that is not only soulless but heartless
and INSCRIPTIONS.