Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1920-12-15
/ GLIMPSE OF SOUTHERN CALI.
FORNIA.
Ry Hubert CARR


Southwest coast cannot escape being
impressed, almost at the outset by
the vast amount Of waste, ugly look
ing and worthless land that lies along
the way. The comparisons between
that which you have left behind and
that which you have gotten into are
egainst what is before you as you
journey along through New Mexico,
Arizona and wide stretch of Calif0r-
mia. And In spite OF the bright spots
at the other end the same impression
rests within you when you get back.
Each part Of the country no doubt has
advantages and disadvantages which
the other has not. but balancing both,
the higher average Of excellence is
certainly to be found here. We have
become accustomed to judge country
BY it's land and what It will produce
and nothing else. In the southwest the
climate is the big talk and as a mat
ter Of secondary Importance you are
shown what wonderful fruits and ve-
getables can be raised, II you happen
to own the water rights to enable you
to irrigate them, and II you are in with
the association which 10 absolutely
necessary to enable you to market
what you raise.
Disconnting Al the boosting thAt the
natives indulge In and surveying the
oyerdrawn realities. California has
many advantages and attractions or It
could not continue to attract SO many
from the Central West, thousands OF
whom have gone to remain permanent
7ly. A great percentage Of those who
so for the winter, rs well as those who
90 to stay, are people Of more or less
means and are influenced by the mild
er climate Of the south coast country.
The Southwest however Is the only
section Of our country which affords
q Young man the opportunity OF grow.
inx up with the country. There any
one Is still an old settler after two
or three years residence. And the
country is but in Its infancy in devel-
opment, although the present values
nut upon real estate seem excessive
". high. A fairly good orange grove
will sell for from $4,000 to 100000
an acre. II It is worth that much, good
improved farm land in the central
west is none too high at $500 an acre.
Los Angeles 1t seems is the magnet
which attracts the tourist. They all
seem to go there first, Just why it is
hard to say. AS a city It is not much
different from any other large city,
Perhaps, 1t is because 1t Is the end
sof the railroad and that 1t costs no
more to 60 there than any other coast
destination. Anyway they all seem to
be there, walking up and down the
street, three and four In arm, stop
ping abruptly to window shop or cut
ting across the street In the face OF
the most reclSSss auto traffic to be
found In any city in this country.
Long Beach, an hours trolley ride
and the many other nearby points are
overflow places. The Iowan has lik-
ing for Long Beach. A large part of
it's population, now about $1,000. comes
from Iowa and mighty pretty spot
It is, right on the waters edge. People
live in all sorts Of style, suiting their
tastes and pocket books, Many q we'll
to-do family can be found In five
room bungalow and the best hotel
charges 500 q week for room and
board About all there is at Long
Beach though is the climate. 1t Is not
claimed to be the best in California.
but it is mild and sunny and the man
who was raised entirely surrounded
by land does seem to want to get
where he can see the water all the
time.
AS for amusement, outside OF the
movies, there is bathing, and above
ali long street near the waters edge
both sides Of which are lined with
merry-go-rounds, shoot the shoots. and
everything that goes to make up 2
typical midway. Here the Iowan goes
and stands around all day. Here is
the county fair multiplied by ten and
going every day In the year. AS the
Iowan has been educated to look to
county and state fairs as his greatest
annual thrill of amusement, he natur-
ally takes to this like duck to water,
and here is where you find most Of the
Iowa people. Los Angeles people sniff
at Long Beach and call it q rube
town and many who built fine houses
here have sold them and moved away.
Be that as it may, il Iowa people own
Long Beach as they say, they have
chosen next to the finest spot on the
south coast, the finest coast city being
San Diego.
Los Angeles cannot but prove dis
appointment at first. Ycu think 1t Is
all moveies and movie actors and
actresses. But it isn't. It is just like
any other big business city. The
things most noticeable are the vast
throngs OF people walking about aim
lessly on the streets, tourists and the
unrestrained. disorderly and dangerous
vehicle traffic. 1t is a picnic to get
around in Chicago, as compared with
Los Angeles. The automobiles kill
people every day and they say they do
not want to regulate traffic too
severely for fear of offending the
tourists for whose money the natives
are keenly watchful.
But where are all the movie factor
les and actors? The personages may
be all about you on the streets and
you would never know it for after
all they are just like other people.
Hollywood has all the ear marks of
newly doomed addition, a fine house,