Imperial Valley press., 1934-11-03

~ PREAD1NG, growing, reaching new peaks Of
prosperity and population, Imperial county
~ during the next four years cannot hope to es-
cape the growing pains that go along with It's
inevitable progress It's people on next Tuesday
will be called upon to settle in advance one OF
the problems that may become the most acute oil
all--the problem of efficient law enforcement.
The voters of Imperial county next Tues
day must choose man to cope with an influx OF
undesirable transents that will inevitably be at
tracted by the All-American canal construction
and the 1886 International Pacific Exposition IN
nearby San Diego class of people will come
here such as Imperial Valley has seen. How
long their stay will be, depends largely ON the
type of man chosen next Tuesday to be sheriff OF
Imperial county If he knows his business, their
stay will be of short duration. 1t he doesn't
murder, robbery and the lesser crimes will show
a sharp increase on the county's books.
San Diego today is paying big price for lack
Of law enforcement. Instead of choosing man
for his experience and ability as peace oltlcef,
they have let other considerations enter into the
picture As result the mysterious girl murders
have been ever growing blot on the tar name
of that community. We here in Imperial county
should make it our business to see that none but
an experienced and capable peace officer Is chosen
for sheriff. This is no time to experiment. We
cannot afford to waste time in training man 1or
the lob. An inexperienced man no matter now
sincere he may be would be no match tor the MOD
ern day criminal with his high powered cars and
machine guns. We must by all means have man
that knows his business. This is only common
sense.
On your ballot next Tuesday will be the name
of one man equipped by years of training to handle
such situations as will arise in the next four years
He isl. Sterling Oswalt.
With the quick clear judgment that only
perience can give Sterling OsWalt combines the
ability to organize efficiently and we'll force of
men trained in their duties. He has demonstrat-
ed this as chief of the Ell Centro police depart
ment. It's system IS recognized throughout the
southwest as of the most efficient ever deVel-
oped, and its record reveals law enforcement ma
chine of which the entire valley can be proud.
As an example of the type of training de-
manded of personnel of the Ell Centre police de-
partment under the administration OF Chief
Oswalt point to the departments pistol
team. One member of the force is world famous
for his craftsmanship and the rest OF the team
has an envable record for its work In recent
contest with the pistol team of the Los Angeles
police department, they were only defeated by
few points.
No man who has not gained his experience in
the school of actual law enforcement can be fully
qualified to serve as sheriff during the next four
years. His problems will be too many and diverse
for a novice His efforts might be costly to the
county.
From childhood, Sterling oswalt unconscious
y has been fitting himself for the job of sheriff.
In later years, he has gathered knowingly the
perence and acquaintanceship which have fitted
him for the post. His election would be promo
ton, recognition by his people of work we'll done.
At the age of nine Sterling OsWalt was thrown
his resources At ten he was doing mans
work on cattle ranches in Oklahoma and New Mex