ASPECTS OF AMERICAN LIFE.

Shannon News, 28 February 1928, Page 3

ASPECTS OF AMERICAN LIFE.

ADDRESS BY MR. F. W. BROWN

Refreshing impressions of America, both in its in dust vial and social aspects, were given at the moot lily gathering of the Levin Chamber of Commerce Lunch Club, in the Oxford Rooms yesterday, by Mr F. W. Brown, of the Public Works electrical, staff at Miaugaore, who spent two years in the United States, studying scientific development. There was a good a I ren dance at the luncheon. Mr. F. 13. Parker presided, and welcomed Mr. D. A. J. Rutherford', superintendent of schools in Samoa, Mr. W. Falloon, and the speaker for the day, Mr.- Brown. In addressing the gathering,_ Mr. Brown said that during his visit to the United States he acquired quite a a habit of attending similar luncheons, which were a feature of American life. He suggested that such a movement should be fostered in New Zealand. MAMMOTH ENTERPRISES.

Describing his travels, Mr. Brown , said he spent about two years in the States, working down the Pacific Slope from Canada to Mexico. One of the first enterprises he visited was the electric railway system in Vancouver. In the Rocky Mountains, after leaving Vancouver, he inspected a large power plant, connected with C.P.R. act ivitics. The West Kootenay’ district was a paradise of cherries, the fruit flourishing as he had never seen it elsewhere. The lake, known as the West Kootenay, from which power was being obtained, extended across the border into Idaho and a scheme was in view to raise its level, for which the help of the United States Government was needed. On the motor buses, which are a great feature of American transportation, it was possible to eat and sleep during the journey, and these vehicles travelled at about-55 Miles an hour. In Washington State he viewed a number ,of electrical generating plants, as information was to be gained which had a bearing on the Arapuni dam., The power companies, in California were - remarkable organisations. One of them served a territory iequal to half the area of New Zea land, and its daily peak load was over half a million kilowatts. The Pacific Gas and Electric Company had developed a line of 28 water plants, anu had a 48,000 h.p. condenser. The Southern Californian Edison Company 7 was another big concern. It bad had some trouble with the lines, owing to the “presence of eagles, and special appliances had to be affixed to the lines to prevent flash-overs. There was a great deal of inter-urban communication in America by electric trains. One system was from Seattle to Tacoma, a distance of 42 miles, which was travelled in 55 minutes. In the winter there was no water in the high country, owing lo the intense cold, and transformers -were installed for bringing current from the southern plants. The,water supply for San Francisco originated about 180 miles from the city. It passed through a power plant and was collected from the tail race in a canal, taken in pipes across the Sacramento Valley, and then through the coast, range into the city. Mr. Brown exhibited a map of California, showing the high-tension layout, with constant communication from the Mexican border to British Columbia. The pacific Gas aiul Electric Company did-.not have an "outage” for ten years until last year, when a potential transformer fuse blew out and led to complications, in a university laboratory he saw an outfit by means of which three million volts could be generated for experimental purposes.. The. spark would jump 21 feet, with a roar, and the sight was an impressive one. Mr. Brown went on to describe the development of various electrical plants in America. He stated that 125 million lamps were usc-d annually in America, and of this number 25 million were made in a factory Hr. pakland, where the processes were mainly automatic. Every filament was weighed, and the whole of the manufacture was marked by precision. THE GREAT ORCHARDS.

Mr. Brown travelled with Mr. Ralph. Boardman, an Australian delegate to the Pair-Pacific Congress, who informed him that there were 1,300,000' acres under fruit in California, as against 300,000 in Australia. It was possible to drive for miles through rows of lettuces in the neighbourhood of Seattle The Del Monte peaches were famous. Near Fresno he had seen an orchard of 2000 acres. All about among the rows of trees were little black pots known as smudg-pots, filled with crude oil. When a frost was likely, these w&re lighted and the air was filled with warm smoke. Fifteen miles out of Sacramento the country wa6 all sand, yet it took him all his time to avoid treading on the peaches lying on the -ground, and the boughs of the trees were borne down with the weight of the fruit. He had weighed some of the peaches, and they scaled 14, 15 and 16 ounces. The back of a sedan car was filled with the fruit and the orebardist would not have taken any money for it, but a dollar was pressed on him. PROBLEM OF PROHIBITION. Having, lived in the States for a couple of years, Mr. Brown said hefelt .privileged to express an opinion on' Prohibition. In the past he had been a Prohibitionist but he was afraid that lie had since changed his mind. The position on the Pacific Coast was really -serious. The bootleggers carried guns and would shoot without Waiting. He had seen where they made use of a farmer V property for their smuggling, despite his protests, threatening to “drill” him if he informed the police.. Through this place they ; were carting “booze” by the truckload three times a week. One day, in the city, a. smell of whisky was discerned and the lqiuor was seen to be leaking out of a motor ear. The driver jumped out, removed the number plates from the vehicle, and disanneared... The car was full of liquor. The speaker had been . in reputable

business offices, the places of firms which A te quite Avell-knoAvn to New Zealand, and had heard the order given over the telephone, "Bring, up a dozen, Avill you?” Shortly aftenvanls a man rvould arrive ivith a box of "booze” on his back. At a certain cabaret a couple of policemen were ,fattened to keep order, oil account of a number of vhe guests being somewhat "canned.” DIFFERENT FOOTBALL.

Describing American' football, as exemplified in the match between California and South California Universities, Mr. Brown stated that this was played in the “Bowl” near Berkeley and was witnessed by 100,000 people. So keen was the interest in sport, that if a person wished to get a 5-dollar ;ont for next season's match he could stot get it for- 20 dollars, because all the accommodation was booked up. The bacrackers from the colleges, men :iiirt girls, displayed the colours, of .heir respective sides by means of their uats anil dresses. On a platform in front of them were the “yell leaders,” rud all sang out like one man. A .'land of 11H pieces inarched in, anil gave about 20 minutes of entertainment before the match commenced, flu; game proceeding according to the American rules, three attempts were made to gain 10 yards, and these were .ollowed by something in the nature ,f “Sacks" on .the mill.” The man -vitli the ball had to carry it till he ,‘ie was downed, the “intefferer” run i.ing along on the weather side of him and knocking opponents out of the road. At half-time a team of little cioys lined up and faced half a dozen big men. The latter kicked off, but ,he ball flew back, being attached to a piece of elastic. The referee was knocked out, and six bearers, one of. whom was lame, marched in with a coffin. This was laid down beside the referee, and then there urns an explosion, the lid came off and out stepped Old Nick and chased all the actors off the field. This was an example of a half-time extertaimnent as provided at a big match, and it was very popular. PRAISE FOR AMERICANS, In conclusion, Mr Brown said that he had read reports of speeches in New Zealand in which some not very nice remarks were made about Americans. The veal American, however, was a wonderful fellow, who would do anything for the visitor and for whom nothing was too much trouble. Unfortunately it was the influence of the Hearst Press that had to be contended with in the endeavour to reach the soul of the United States.

The address was listened to intently, and at its conclusion a hearty vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Brown, on the motion of Mr. K. Aitken.