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Editorial
December 5, 1940
Imperial Valley Press
El Centro, Imperial County, California
What is this article about?
Editorial criticizes efforts by state officials George C. Kidwell and Carey McWilliams to impose a federal slum clearance project in El Centro, California, under the guise of national defense needs. It argues no true emergency exists in local housing, which natural growth can address, aligning with Mayor Robert Hatton's view.
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ABOMINABLE HOUSING
IN EL CENTRO
The apparent high pressure effort to sell El Centro, along with other cities of California, on a federal slum clearance project under pretense that it is a national defense requirement, leaves us cold.
We must admit, unwillingly, that we are open to criticism in the matter of rental dwellings in El Centro—but we can see no real emergency in that situation. There is nothing in it to warrant this community in accepting something it once turned down for a very good reason—the slum clearance project some state officials attempted to impose upon the community.
When the cry of "national defense emergency" comes from George C. Kidwell, director of the state department of industrial relations, and Carey McWilliams, chief of the division of immigration and housing, we naturally look with suspicion upon their motives. For they were involved in the upstate attempt to bring about an eastside slum clearance project here which neither civic leaders nor tenants wanted.
Their declaration that "overcrowded conditions . . . shacks and hovels exist in "defense areas" including El Centro gives an impression of a deplorable situation which does not, in fact, exist on any scale justifying such a description.
Had they been more moderate in their criticism, we might have agreed with them. Admittedly, it is hard for a newcomer to El Centro to find an attractive rental dwelling at reasonable rates. "Admittedly, many of our landlords are unnecessarily careless about the upkeep of their properties. Admittedly, it would be far better if there were more attractive homes here, to be rented to such persons as officers stationed at the 11th Cavalry camp north of Seeley.
But in all that there is nothing approaching an emergency which endangers national defense. You might as well say a spot of dust on the wing of an airplane makes it useless.
On the whole, we're inclined to agree with Mayor Robert Hatton that there is no trouble in El Centro's housing situation that natural growth and development—even now manifest to a casual observer—will not take care of.
IN EL CENTRO
The apparent high pressure effort to sell El Centro, along with other cities of California, on a federal slum clearance project under pretense that it is a national defense requirement, leaves us cold.
We must admit, unwillingly, that we are open to criticism in the matter of rental dwellings in El Centro—but we can see no real emergency in that situation. There is nothing in it to warrant this community in accepting something it once turned down for a very good reason—the slum clearance project some state officials attempted to impose upon the community.
When the cry of "national defense emergency" comes from George C. Kidwell, director of the state department of industrial relations, and Carey McWilliams, chief of the division of immigration and housing, we naturally look with suspicion upon their motives. For they were involved in the upstate attempt to bring about an eastside slum clearance project here which neither civic leaders nor tenants wanted.
Their declaration that "overcrowded conditions . . . shacks and hovels exist in "defense areas" including El Centro gives an impression of a deplorable situation which does not, in fact, exist on any scale justifying such a description.
Had they been more moderate in their criticism, we might have agreed with them. Admittedly, it is hard for a newcomer to El Centro to find an attractive rental dwelling at reasonable rates. "Admittedly, many of our landlords are unnecessarily careless about the upkeep of their properties. Admittedly, it would be far better if there were more attractive homes here, to be rented to such persons as officers stationed at the 11th Cavalry camp north of Seeley.
But in all that there is nothing approaching an emergency which endangers national defense. You might as well say a spot of dust on the wing of an airplane makes it useless.
On the whole, we're inclined to agree with Mayor Robert Hatton that there is no trouble in El Centro's housing situation that natural growth and development—even now manifest to a casual observer—will not take care of.
What sub-type of article is it?
Infrastructure
Military Affairs
Social Reform
What keywords are associated?
El Centro Housing
Slum Clearance
National Defense
Rental Dwellings
State Officials
Civic Leaders
What entities or persons were involved?
George C. Kidwell
Carey Mcwilliams
Mayor Robert Hatton
El Centro
11th Cavalry Camp
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Opposition To Federal Slum Clearance Project In El Centro Under National Defense Pretext
Stance / Tone
Skeptical And Opposed, Defending Local Housing Adequacy
Key Figures
George C. Kidwell
Carey Mcwilliams
Mayor Robert Hatton
El Centro
11th Cavalry Camp
Key Arguments
No Real Housing Emergency Exists In El Centro Warranting Federal Intervention
State Officials' Motives Are Suspicious Due To Prior Rejected Project
Overcrowded Conditions Do Not Justify 'Shacks And Hovels' Description
Newcomers Face Rental Challenges, But Landlords' Upkeep Issues Are Minor
Natural Growth And Development Will Resolve Housing Needs Without Federal Project