Imperial Valley press., 1932-10-19
Editorial Page
and
Features
PROPOSITIONS on BALLOT

IN the belief that some of its readers
i might wish an expression of opinion
on the 20 constitutional amendments and
initiative measures to be voted on by the
citizens of California in connection with
the general election on November s, The
Press presents herewith the first of a
series of articles dealing with these vari-
Gus propositions.
This publication does not hold the be-
lief that our expression of opinion on
any of the propositions must be follow
ed by the voter in casting his ballot.
That decision is up to him. We merely
express what we believe to be the proper
action for the best interests of the entire
state. Those who differ with our opin-
ion are fully entitled to their own views
and we shall not try to change them.
No. Wright Act Repeal, an initia-
tive measure. This measure provides
for the repeal of the states prohibition
enforcement law Although The Press
has gone on record as being opposed to
national prohibition law, it does not fav-
or repeal of the Wright act. This meas
ure puts the cart before the horse.
When and if the Eighteenth amendment
to the federal constitution, or its en-
forcement provision = the Volstead act
are amended or repealed, 1t will be
time enough to make a change in the
Wright act. No matter what action the
voters may take regarding the Wright
act, the federal prohibition law is still
the law of the land and must be respect
ed. Prohibition enforcement would be
''ham-strung' by repeal of the Wright
act, throwing California open to a con-
dition of chaos that would do no law
abiding citizen any good and which
would give entirely too much lee-way to
the law violator The Press recon-
mends a vote of mo" on this PROPOSE
ton.
No. Estate Liquor Regulation, an
initiative constitutional amendment.
This proposition provides for state con-
troll of Intoxicating liquor and perpetual
prohibition of the saloon in the
event a change is made in the national
prohibition laws. Like No. l it places
the cart before the horse. AS it is also
contingent on the repeal of the Wright
act it would be ridiculous to urge sup
port of it and oppose No. l. The Press
therefore recommends a vote OF NO,
on this proposition.
No. 3-Foreclosure of Mortgages and
Trust Deeds, an initiative measure. This
measure mas Deen cOnueIlHeu ny many
of the recognized public spirited leaders
of the state, including H. L. Carnahan,
former lieutenant governor, as being i'll
drawn, ambiguous in its text and intent
and will jeopardize a return in building
construction. In Imperial Valley the
greater percentage by far Of loans on
farms are made on trust deeds, permit
ting the banks to carry" the farmer for
much longer periods and under more
lenient conditions than they would be
permitted if this measure is approved.
By requiring all parties to go to court to
foreclose a mortgage it will increase
court congestion with its attendant in
crease in costs and because of its ambig
uities is doomed to result in much litiga-
ton. Even admitting that the present
law needs improvement, it appears to
concern a matter which can best be
handled by the Legislature instead of by
measure drawn by the minority group
which has instituted this initiative. We
recommend a vote of 'No" on it.
No. 4-Removing Restriction Upon the
Use of State Half of Highway Trans
portation Taxes, senate constitution
al amendment This measure would