California Runaround

Where, demanded a frantic telegram from Los Angeles relief officials to Washington relief officials one day last week, was that check for $2,000,000? It was supposed to have been sent a week ago. Things were getting desperate. One hundred and five thousand families were bawling for their doles.

The check, replied Washington officials, was still in Washington, "awaiting the signature of Governor Merriam of California." Governor Merriam, crackled back Los Angeles officials, was currently doing business in Sacramento, not Washington.

Thus enlightened, Washington officials sped a $2,000,000 check order to Sacramento by telegraph. There it was learned that Governor Merriam was in Long Beach, 500 mi. away. But he would be in Los Angeles at 2 p. m. to sign the check. Southward zoomed the check by airplane. At 2 p. m. Governor Merriam was still in Long Beach, having a tooth pulled. Could his secretary sign for him? No, ruled a Federal official, nobody but the Governor. A messenger leaped into an automobile, roared out to Long Beach with the check. The Governor signed. Another messenger leaped into an airplane, roared 500 mi. back to Sacramento to get the check de posited in the State Treasury before night fall. He was too late. The State Treasury was closed until morning.

This file is automatically generated by a robot program, so reader's discretion is required.