Imperial Valley press., 1934-06-05
FATE PLACES
' MERRIAM IN
TOUCH spot
Deficit, Unemployment, Liquor
Question And Taxation To
Perplex New Chief.
MUST CONDUCT CAMPAIGN
Disposition Of Rolph Admins
tration Machine Also Presents
Difficulty.
MUST CONDUCT CAMPAIGN
BY GEORGE Z. HELMER
United Press Staff Correspondent

by CEOhGE l.. HELMEk
United Press Staff Correspondent
SACRAMENTO, June s. UP)-
Frank F. Merriam, California S
new chief executive, prepared to-
day to take up the reins of gov
ernment and face the multiplicity
of problems that have developed
during the past few years.
Unemployment, heavy treasury
deficit, the liquor question, agita-
tion for taxation changes and a
hectic election campaign period
are outstanding among the trouble
some affairs to which Governor
Merriam must give his attention.
Political observers agreed that
Governor James Rolph served
during one Of the most trying
periods in California's history
And the major problems have re-
manned unsolved. Merriam and the
executive who holds office for the
next four years will have impor-
tant parts to play in Strengthening
out the tangles.
1 New taxes must be planned
There is a drive under way to
abolish the sales tax, lower its rate
or eliminate foodstuffs. An in
come tax is being advocated. Single
tax proponents are active. The
state treasury deficit, which Will
exceed $30,000,000 by the end OF
the biennium, may reach a fan
tastic height of $100,000,000 in
1897 unless new revenue systems
are devised and government ex-
penses trimmed.
Half a dozen liquor initiative
measures loom for the November
ballot. All may be adopted, with
resulting confusion to situation
already admitted to be unsatlsfac-
tory. Legislative action will be
necessary, observers believed, to
work out a more popular plan OF
liquor control.
Favor Constitution Change
i. There is a growing feeling that
a constitutional convention is es-
sential to rebuild the states un-
wieldy setup of fixed charges.
Merriam is a staunch advocate OF
such a development, which would
simplify the constitution and make
possible additional reduction of
governmental costs.
Unemployment is increasing in
Southern California, according to
Controller Ray L. Riley, and many
authorities believe this is the
most important matter facing
state officials.
Labor is restless. Agitators are
preparing to resume their activities
in agricultural fields. Action of
the chief executive may be neces-
sary in the longshoremen's strike.
Prisons are overcrowded hotbeds
of potential trouble. Officials be-
lieve there must be an immediate
program prepared to provide more
space and facilities for the hand
ling of criminals and mental defec-
tives. =,
In addition to considering all
those problems, Merriam must pre-
pare for one of the most complex
political campaigns the state has
witnessed. He will have strong
competition in his fight for the
governorship.
Furthermore, he must decide
what to do with the administration
machine left by Governor Rolph.
1t was believed he would replace
the staff in the governors office,
and possibly change some depart
ment heads. Observers predicted
Merriam would retain ROLAND
Vandegrift, finance director; Earl
Lee Kelly, director of public works,
and A. A. Brock, director OF agrl-
culture. and Russell Bevans, regis
trar of motor vehicles. But dis
position of other administration Of
fices was q question.