The Waterbury Democrat., 1934-09-11

pulled. It was Known that the Se the Judgments of his wife than tt days.
 In the various college groups Sinclair. had met professors who were experts in government ana financial affairs. He had watched these men and tested them, anu now made use of their tecnnlcal Knowledge. The newspapers soon began to feature a "Californla brain trust"
 Maintains Two Offices
 The business of the state required the governor to have an office Tn San Francisco and one in Los An geles, and as Sinclair travelled from one place to another he had ire ouent meetings with these friends. To a committee of legal experts he entrusted the formation of the dozen laws which were to carry out the EPIC plan. Each of these laws was to be simple and all-embraclng; they would have to stand the scrutiny of the highest priced capl- talist lawyers in the state, and no doubt would have to run the gaunt- let of the courts.
 There was the task of selecting land for the colonies. In the agrl- cultural schools men had been trained for this sort of job, and 1t happened that Sinclair knew sev- eraI large e-scale ranchers who were heart and soul with the EPIC pro gram, and had contributed 10 us funds. Of course, his mail was full Of letters from real estate owners and agents whose mouths watereo at the, idea of selling tracts or lanu to the state. Many of these tracts were insufficiently provided with water. and others too sufficiently provided with alkali.
 AlDDisplay Banned
 4 few days before the inaugura- lion Sinclair announced that there would be no display of any sort ln connection with the ceremonies. He requested that those who were ex- pecting to wear gold braid or snort nants would give up the idea. There would be no inaugural ball; at least if would not be attended by the new governor. Tt will be time to da-,ce when we have done our iorn." he stated. Then the people can have an lod-time celebration.
 The first of January came and the inauguration ceremony LOOK place. The retiring governor be- haved politely, and Sinclair re- tained no memories of what had been said during the campaign. Immediately after having taken the oath of office, he stepped to the nicrophone and said: "As gover- nor of California my first action is to sign a pardon to Thomas J. Mooney. At the same time l oner to him my profound apologies for the injustice which the state of California has done to him for the past Is years"
 Makes Inaugural Address
 The new governor delivered his inaugural address. He ended:
 .The situation which confronts the state of California calls for the unselfish efforts of every true citi- zen. Our industrial system has broken down. and refuses any longer to function. For large part of our people there is no longer any work, or means of liv- ing, or hope for the future. Star vation in the midst of plenty ex- ists not merely in California, but all over the world; and elsewhere 1t has been the caues of cruel class struggles, which have de- stroyed liberty and brought na- tions to ruin. Afes we justified in our faith in democracy? Here is the test of our institutions, and we call upon our people to prove by loyalty and sacrifice that nei- there the faith of our fathers nor the hope of our posterity is a deluusion."
 Opens "Gold- fish Bowl"
 The next step was the opening of the. "Governor's Goldfish Bowl" as the newspapers called it. A recep- ton room was fitted in the execu- tive offices. The governor sat at large table, and on either side were seats for his attorneys and advis- CTS when needed. Opposite to him sat the visitors. Tables were pro- vided for the press and about 100 seats for the public. The governor explained briefly that this pro- cedure was for the purpose of keeping the people of California informed as to how their affairs were being conducted.
 This unusual plan caught the at- tention of the public. It was the first time in history that govern ment had really dealt openly with the voters. The idea was so star ting, and the clashes of personality were so entertaining, that the news papers were obliged to report wha! went on in the Governors Gold fish Bowl. Presently it occurred tc one of the radio stations that this was an inexpensive form of public entertainment. They asked permis- sion to install a microphone, and this was permitted.
 Whipped Into Line
 One by one the EPIC measures were driven through the legisla- ture. The first time one of the EPIC legislators begon to waver and cast a vote against the plan the governor summoned him to the Gold fish Bowl, and said: "Mr x what has happened? You had more than a year to study these meas ures. You accepted them, and were elected upon the basis of that ac- < ceptance. You are no longer free man. but a trustee of the voters o1 California. Are you going to be- ]. tray your trust?"
 Mr x began to explain that he had not understood the measure The governor said: T am told that you have been playing poker in one of the rooms at the Blank ho- tel. Is that true?? I understand that you have been playing with Charley Y and Robbie 2. You cannot be unaware of the reasons they are here, one as the hired lob. { byist of the power trust, the other as attorney for the gas interests They are nooriously bad poker players that is to say. they lose large sums of money continually and always to members of the state Jerfslafure. How much have they :. sNe-s Nsl. .ne.aIf( AZ &ki.