Los Angeles herald., 1909-10-28
DINGLF GIVEN
APPOINTMENT
MADE EDEPUTYHORTICULTURAL
COMMISSIONER
SOLID THREE TRIES TO slDEsTEP
WHOLE BUSINESS
Supervisors Pridham and Manning
Manifest Desire to Act in Ac-
cordance with Wishes of
Fruit Growers

Despite the protests of Los Angeles
fruit growers and in accordance with
the program arranged when the ap-
pointment of A. r. MeserYe as county
horticultural commissioner was de-
cided on by organization leaders Mon
day, the commissioner yesterday named
Erwin Dingle as one of his two depu-
ties. Dingle's appointment was ap-
proved by the solid three" of the
board of supervisors after a deal of
ludicrous side stepping, and it was
only after an appeal to the boards le-
gal adviser, Hartley Shaw, that Mes
erVe was enabled to throw the re-
sponsibility for Dingle's selection upon
the shoulders of "Tus' Eldridge, Mel
lis and McCabe. Supervisors Prid-
ham and Manning manifested their
desire to give in to the wishes of the
fruit growers by voting against Din
gle. Stephen Strong of Norwalk,
whose selection as deputy is heartily
lndorsed by the fruit growers, was
also appointed by Meserve and re-
ceived the unanimous approval of the
board.
MeserVe Files Bond
Commissioner Meserve was at the
board room shortly after the session
was called to order yesterday He
filed his bond and as a motion to ad-
journ was carried he asked for a spe-
cial session later in the day to ap-
prove the appointments of Dingle and
Strong.
Let it go until Monday; they can
continue at work." suggested Nellis,
nervously glancing toward the door and
apparently fearful that the large body
of growers who have protested against
Dingle's appointment might file in the
room.
Meserve contended the appointments
must have the approval of the super
visors. The necessity for this course
was denied by McCabe. Meserve per
sisted and finally appealed to Chief
Deputy District Attorney Shaw, whose
decision was that the board would
have to stand sponsor for Dingle.
Supervisor Pridham suggested the
board meet in special session immedi-
ately.
But" said Meserve, protestingly, "I
haven't got the matter doped out yet.
"Bah!" exclaimed Pridham, "it has
been doped out long ago."
Appointment Approved
Then the board adjourned until
o'clock, at which hour Meserve was
again on hand with his organization
arranged program "doped out" in
letter containing abouty twenty words
announcing his appointment of Din
gle and Strong, with the approval of
the board"
Strong's appointment was approved
unanimously, while Dingle received the
votes of the "solid three" and the OPP
posing noes Of Manning and Pridham.
During the day Meserve, accom-
panied by score of inspectors, was at
the board room where the men were
given their commissions.
These inspectors served under the
old commission and others who have
been reappointed by Meserve will come
in today and during the coming week
to take oath and get commissions.
AS the newly appointed commits
sioner has authority under the recently
enacted law to appoint inspectors "as
necessity arises" the possibilities of
the horticultural commissioners Of
flee as headquarters to direct political
affairs is apparent, the direction of
these affairs depending on whether
Meserve or the board of supervisors
may dictate the patronage, and the
person is yet to be found who will as
sert that this power has been dele
gated to the commissioner.