Los Angeles herald., 1909-10-26

James Mills of Riverside, the other by A. j.
Kendall, well known growers and members
of a committee of five that went to Sacra-
cultural laws.
Tried to Defeat Bill
"DingIe went to Sacramento for the ex-
press purpose of defeating the BILL" wrote
Mr.. Mills.
Mr.. KendalPs letter went further, telling
not only of Dingle's opposition, but reveal
ing a compromise whereby two deputies
were allowed each commissioner.
II was present in Sacramento and
knew the attitude of Dingle," wrote
Mr.. Kendall. II was one of COM
mittee of five appointed at Marysvile
in 1908 to recommend changes in the
horticultural laws. One of our princi-
pal purposes was to separate the hor-
ticultural commission from politics. The
proposed law was actively opposed by
Dingle and finally compromised so
that the county commission might
have two deputies. The bill originated
with the fruit industries"
1.-THE citrus fruit growers feel that
Dingle is a man of many mistakes"
continued Smith. "His duty was to pro-
tect our interests. Instead, he spent
thousand dollars at Sacramento try
ing to damage those interests"
He stated that Dingle was respon-
sible for permitting the black aphis,
a pest that had almost been eradicated
under a former commissioner, to gain
a foothold in the San Fernando valley,
spending the county's money in useless
experimentation. Furthermore, ne
accused Dingle of misrepresenting
facts in procuring signatures to the
petition for his appointment as COM
missioner, petition which for some
reason nobody has seen fit to file.
Afraid of Arguments
Apparently fearful that all the men,
bers of the board would be carried
away from Dingle's support in spite of
themselves, McCabe interrupted.
"Dingle is not on trial here" he said.
There was a responsive echo from
the other side of the broad table. 1t
came from "Tus" Eldridge.
"This gentleman" he said, indicat-
ing Smith, with bunch of other gen.
tlemen came up here and Dingle was
put in office by what was known as
the old solid three. God bless them
ALL If he erred and the commission
ers knew he erred, they also are re-
sponsible."
Then he moved that the petition for
the Endorsement of Bemis and Strong
be denied This was carried, Pridham
and Manning voting against it.
Smith made last effort to gain the
Endorsement of the men wanted by the
growers, stating that at a meeting of
the Los Angeles County Fruit Grow
ers' exchange Dingle told the members
he had been indorsed by the committee
for the entire county and in that way
secured signatures.
NeIIis Reminded of Duty
"It is up to Meserve who shall be
appointed" said Nellis. "Have you
any doubt we shall do our duty as we
see f1t?"
"Yes: but I believe men represent
ing $20,00,000 worth of property should
be considered. We think the horticul-
tural commissioner should be sup
ported in his office by the right men,
and we think we know who these men
are You are our trustees and we be-
lieve no man who betrays a trust can
have any self respect
The argument was closed when Su-
pervisor Pridham moved to allow
Meserve to make his own appointments
of deputies, his selections to receive
the approval of the board. This prop
osition was fought by the "solid three"
until Hartley Shaw legal adviser of
the board, pointed out that it is the
law and nothing was left but to sub
nit, and in spite of the effort to throw
the responsibility for Dingles appoint
ment-if he is appointed on Meserve,
it will be up to the board after all.