Orange Coast College

We Want a Junior College
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by RAYMOND M. ELLIOTT and SIDNEY H. DAVIDSON, district superintendents, Huntington Beach and Newport Harbor union high school districts respectively during and after the establishment of Orange Coast College.

THIS CHAPTER is concerned with the pre-history of our college, or that long period before Dr. Basil H. Peterson assumed his responsibilities as its first chief administrator. We shall, for lack of space, have to omit a considerable era in which the hard and sincere efforts of many men to form a college in the coastal area were frustrated by sectional and occupational differences and by the State laws governing education. These factors, too, prevented the earlier atempts to unite with either of the two existing junior colleges in Orange County. Any change in the status quo required an act of the Legislature, and it is noteworthy that it was only after a bitter struggle lasting seven years that independence was won from Santa Ana and the people of Newport Harbor were free to form their own high school district in 1929.

It seems the more remarkable that in the years of the big depression the people of Costa Mesa and Newport Beach could lay aside their differences and unite for their long cherished high school. That took leadership of high quality.

Strangely, too, the earthquake of March l0, 1933 revived countywide interest in unification of the junior colleges. Fullerton and Santa Ana, both facing rebuilding of their junior colleges, sought Government 15 16 funds. Each saw an opportunity to separate the junior college from the high school campus, and some people advocated uniting to form a single county-wide junior college district. But neither city would consider giving up its college. Then new hope arose for a union between Santa Ana and the coastal area. Santa Ana was willing to accept additions, but insisted on its own administration. The opinion that the State Department of Education would not permit a third junior college in the county stiffened them and in 1941 Santa Ana decided to go it alone.

During World War II any effort to build a junior college would have been sheer folly. Everything was rationed, all building materials were on strictpriority basis, and schools were at the bottom of the totem pole.

But plans could be made for the post-war era ahead. The need to provide for advanced educational opportunities immediately after the close of hostilities was brought to the attention of the Associated Chambers of Commerce at Orange in 1944. The plea that the youth of any community comprised its greatest asset struck a responsive chord. Something should be done, and at once, in anticipation of their needs, particularly their vocational and occupational requirements. Ben Reddick was there among the Newport-Balboa delegates and stressed the idea that young people are valuable assets.

Actually there was nothing new in this thought. Others had been trying for years to get our business men to see it. Jack Malcom of Capistrano, away back in 1921, was the first chairman of the Education committee of the newly formed Orange County Coast Association and worked for years to unite with Santa Ana. He was succeeded by Samuel Meyer of Newport Beach during the "Seven Years' War"- 1922-1929 -when freedom from Santa Ana was won. The chairmanship then passed to Judge Donald J. Dodge of Costa Mesa, whom we all know as a first trustee of Newport Harbor high school and Orange Coast College. Judge Dodge, supported by high school superintendent Sidney H. Davidson, was the first person in a responsible position to strongly advocate the formation of a Coastal junior college. This was in 1945. The chairmanship then passed to Raymond M. Elliott, superintendent of Huntington Beach highschool, and the committee name was changed to Junior College. We were bringing our college nearer.

By this time the Coast Association became enthusiastic about the possibility of a college district embracing the four coastal high school districts of Capistrano, Laguna Beach, Newport Harbor and Huntington Beach. One hurdle stood in the way, however. A corridor separating 17 Newport Beach and Laguna Beach must first be eliminated. This obstacle was part of the huge Irvine ranch. The ranch people hinted that it would not be well to alter property lines, for, after all, wasn't the corridor created to keep the peace between the two beach cities' schools in vying for the pupils of the ranch's Crystal Cove resort? Nevertheless, petitions were drawn up and signed by enough residents of Newport and Laguna to meet legal requirements, but not in the manner expected by Mr. Irvine. After consulting with the County surveyor, County counsel, County superintendent of schools, and contacting the State superintendent of schools and his legal advisor, it was found that the division of that portion of the corridor not on Mr. Irvine's estate would not be illegal. So the County supervisors ingeniously approved the petitions to divide the underwater area from mean high tide line to the districts' southern boundary-three miles out in the ocean-equally between the two high school districts, thus bringing into the necessary contiguity all of the four coastal districts. It would be possible now to go ahead for a junior college.

But we were cautioned not to be in a hurry about it. "Let's study the idea. Have a survey made before approaching the electorate. The time isn't ripe. After all, this thing's going to cost a lot." Despite this warning, the pot was kept warm if not boiling. The State Department was queried regarding its official attitude toward a third junior college in the county. A meeting was arranged with a representative from the State office.

On June 17th, 1946, Dr. Frank B. Lindsay, Chief of the Secondary Education division of the State Department, met at the Welcome Cafe in Costa Mesa with about 38 local people, including Willis H. Warner and Irvin George Gordon, County supervisors, Linton T. Simmons, County superintendent of schools, and Chester Gilpin, Simmons' assistant, school board members, chamber of commerce secretaries, Coast Association officers, and other civic leaders. The first question Dr. Lindsay asked was, "Do the people want a junior college?" Then he sat down.

For twenty minutes the chairman replied: "We have the wealth, the school population, the industries and trades, and the natural unity to indicate that a college is needed and can be adequately supported. Our people are harmonious and have cultural interests, and are united by modern highways. High schools are conveniently spaced, serving concentrated populations, and not in excess of 15 miles from a possible central site for a college." "The district is not now adequately served by 18 higher education facilities . . . returning veterans need further training . . . Ours is a modern American community of home owners . . . ideal working conditions . . . young people in majority, active, vigorous workers . . . increasing numbers of children . . . abundance of recreational facilities." In the same tenor we elaborated many other aspects of our community: boatbuilding, fishing industries, agriculture, oil production, aviation . . . other community assets. We produced figures to prove that we could support a college, not only adequately but even handsomely, and that we were paying other junior colleges even more per student than their own districts were paying. We concluded, "A junior college in this area is a 'must'! It will be overdue however soon it is built!"

Dr. Lindsay picked up the ball, saying "l should like to see not just another junior college of the usual kind, but one suited to this area, as just indicated by your chairman." After reciting the great need for collegiate education throughout California, he proceeded to tell us how to go about achieving our goal. Have the four high school boards petition the State Board of Education to form a junior college district. The State Department will then survey the area and report its findings to the State Board. Get busy right now! Upon approval of the survey, the State Board will authorize an election to form a junior college district. Before leaving, Dr. Lindsay gave his word to do everything he could to help us.

The petitions were quickly signed by school boards of three districts. Laguna Beach, for want of a full board, hesitated. The way was left open for Laguna to join later, if it so desired. But Laguna blocked Capistrano.

Things began to happen with ever increasing acceleration. In the evening of August 21st, 1946, Ben Reddick, editor and publisher of the Newport-Balboa Press, phoned excitedly to say: "In Long Beach at a meeting of the Veterans Administration I learned that Colonel Ludwig Gerber of the Retraining and Rehabilitation division, upon approval from Washington, had authorization to dispose of the Santa Ana Army Air Base to any educational institution forone dollar! Gerber said: "We can give them that Base if in a reasonable time they can benefit veterans in some way." Reddick went on to say that the 32nd Agricultural District wanted a portion of the Base for fairs and shows, .and that Bill Gallienne and Clay Kellogg were leading the drive. "You can get the proposition from Lawrence Stevens, Commissioner of Veterans' Affairs, Sacramento. Governor Warren personally told me that 19 19 out of the $15 million Wartime Fund he can allocate money for action on Federal property, and that he would do anything to help. Paul Torelli, Stevens' assistant in the California Department of Veterans' Affairs in Los Angeles, will get in touch with you. Cecil DeWolfe, 215 West Fifth Street, Los Angeles, is head man of Surplus Real Property Disposal, War Assets Administration. I wish you luck!"

We learned that the Base had previously been offered to the University of California and the University of Southern California and that both had declined to take over. And that there was still alive a movement to have the Naval Academy Post-graduate School at this site. The Academy would, of course, have precedence over our college. The Base had facilities for 50,000 cadets. It was fully equipped with housing and all the necessary facilities for a city-waler system, sewer system, fire department, heating system, fuel storage - everything! Orangecountians enthusiastically viewing this Naval Academy included supervisors, chambers of commerce, harbor supporters, boating devotees, and many others. In Washington, Congressman John Phillips worked on Senator John L. McClellan and his Naval Affairs committee, and on Captain H. A. Spangel, the commandant of the Naval Graduate School. The Army Air Base would be the ideal site. Worthy competition indeed! The Agricultural District would be less competitive, or so we thought.

The prospect of acquiring a junior college site on the old Air Base triggered another meeting of coastal people to confer with Mr. Paul Torelli of California Veterans' Affairs and Dr. Lindsay, who came a second time from the north. It was a day-long meeting in Huntington Beach, broken by another luncheon in Costa Mesa. The new situation was examined, procedures were explored and responsibilities pinpointed. The State Department of Education would coordinate Veterans' Administration and U.S. Office of Education in our G.l. Bill of Rights program. We learned what we could apply for, to whom the applications should be forwarded, how and to what degree the State Department could assist, and many other things. Mr. Torelli explained the Dewey plan of New York state, where ten colleges had already been started on released Government properties.

Dr. Lindsay assured us that it would be possible for several high schools to form a junior college district, as was then being done in nearby Centinella valley. He said that Governor Warren was interested in this. After telephoning to Sacramento, Dr. Lindsay repeated that Dr. Roy Simpson, State superintendent, would see that the State Board of 20 Education would approve our plan, and that, for veterans' purposes, the money needed to operate the college the first year would be forthcoming, provided only that War Assets turn the title over to us. State moneys would be split on ADA basis to each participating high school district, subject to the assurance of the State Department of Finance that funds from State sources were available. We were soon to learn just how iffy this promise was. It was unmistakably clear by this time that the project was far from simple. Many agencies would have to be contacted, their attitudes and responsibilities ascertained and, most importantly, their cooperation obtained. It wasn't what we had set out to get in the first place-simple permission to form a coastal junior college district of four high school districts. But it promised much. We accepted the challenge.

Since that portion of the Air Base which we regarded as best suited for a college lay within the Newport Harbor high school district, a rider to our original petitions to form a junior college district asking permission to hold classes on the Base was forwarded to the State Board, as Mr. Simpson had suggested. This permission would help us to secure title from War Assets. But we made it clear that, regardless of this, we still wanted authorization to form our coastal junior college district. We would be willing to include veterans' e(lucatioll under the (S.l. Bill of Rights, but not at the risk of losing our own permanent junior college, and we told the State Department as much. There was no time to lose.

The closing days of summer vacation are always busy ones for school administrators, as everyone knows. Work in connection with the opening of school was shoved more and more upon the shoulders of vice-principals. Mr. Joseph Hamblet at Newport Harbor and Mr. John Waage at Huntington Beach made greater contributions to our ultimate success on the Base than has been generally appreciated. We here gratefully acknowledge our debt.

Having heard Dr. Lindsay say that three high schools in Centinella valley were attempting to form a junior college district similar to ours, we journeyed over to Hawthorne and talked with Dr. Forrest Murdock, who was picked to head what later became E1 Camino junior college. The situation there was even more confused than ours. The Centinellans had been promised by Federal Works Agency that if the people voted to have a junior college district, and if the district so formed had a site for the college, and if it could secure finances to operate the college, then it might purchase such classroom buildings as were to become surplus property and have them moved from-of all places! -the Santa Ana Army Air Base. A lot of help that would be to us!

We remembered that Ben Reddick had mentioned the name of Cecil DeWolfe, head of Surplus Real Property Disposal division of War Assets, Los Angeles. We talked with this gentleman and arranged a meeting at the Base on September 6th. He would bring Colonel A. J. Read, who would have full charge of this matter in his office, also a Mr. Emmett Ingrum, State Department of Education aide in his office.

This Friday afternoon meeting on the Base provided more genuine understanding than anything to date. The Govcrntnent men knew what they could do, and we frankly stated our problems. The group comprised these men: Cecil DeWolfe and Colonel Read, War Assets Administration; Emlllett W. lngrum, State Department of Education War Surplus aide; Chester Gilpin, assistant County superintendent of schools; Burrell Wilson, Engineer in charge of the Base; Ben Reddick, NewportBalboa Press; Joseph Hamblet, assistant superintendent Newport Harbor high school; Elgin Hall, agriculture teacher at Newport Harbor high; Sidney H. Davidson, superintendent of Newport Arbor high school, and Raymond M. Elliott, superintendent of Huntington Beach high school and chairman of Coast Association education committee.

Mr. Wilson cscorted the group through many different types of buildings, all in excellent condition. As the tour progressed the War Assets men queried us as to how we could use each of the facilities, and if other State or County public agencies needed facilities such as the Base had. The 410 acre Whittier Estate portion was discussed. This area, then being cleared of buildings, was the only privatelyowned part of the Base. The Whittier people were suing the City of Santa Ana to recover it in default of rental payments. Santa Ana had leased the acreage for $8,000 per year and re-leased it to the Government for $1.00 per year as an inducement to have it named the Santa Ana Army Air Base. Now the matter was in litigation, and War Assets could promise us nothing there, except the possible use of the valuable utilities which had been placed thereon by the Govemment. We could include the utilities in our application, in case the litigation should be settled before we moved in. At this point the voice of Ben Reddick in strong support of the college was pungent, powerful and persuasive. Colonel Read and Mr. DeWolfe expressed their satisfaction with the soundness of our program and finally departed with cordial good wishes for our success.

Mr. Ingrum went with us to Newport Harbor high school offices, 22 where we discussed the astonishing proposition made by the War Assets authorities that the entire Government-owned property on over 900 acres with its hundreds of buildings, plus utilities that were not even on the property, should be included in our package deal. A plant that had cost the Government millions of dollars was being virtually thrown into our laps. It was too good to be true, of course. Someone or something would be sure to bring us back to our senses. But for the moment it was a grand feeling. We would share our good fortune with other land-hungry public-service agencies, such as the California Youth Authority, County Hospital, even the County Government itself, the Agricultural Experiment Station, Housing and Rehabilitation, Welfare, Road departments, and, of course, the 32nd Agricultural District and their Fair Grounds project.

We tackled a college budget to operate for 1,000 students the first year, each of us working independently. We all arrived at the same total, $1 million. In those halcyon days everything was based upon the old 1935-1939 cost of living index. A million dollars was still a lot of money. The skeptical reader may wish to skip now to the next chapter. What we are about to relate is so fantastic that only the most credulous persons should continue.

The news of our day's activities found wings. That evening a surprise party was arranged at the Huntington Beach Chamber of Commerce. The Agriculture people were there assembled to ask what had happened at the Air Base. Present were Willis Warner, Walter Longmoor, Howard Irwin, Glenn Woolley, Walter Schmid, Clay Kellogg, Herb Kenny, and William Gallienne- all first-name friends. They were all for the college idea.

Mr. Warner had a report on the Base: Cost the Government over $14 million, salvage value $3.5 million; butane plant and butane stock on hand; 28 miles of sewer lines; 140,000 gallons of fuel oil in storage; many warehouses, including a huge refrigerated warehouse, et cetera. The Agricultural District men would like to have the warehouses for their Fair Grounds and Agricultural Experiment Station, and housing for migratory agricultural workers ('braceros' is the word), and a course in Aviation with pre-flight training at nearby County Airport. The State Fair organization had plenty of money to finance a Fair Grounds and money was what we needed most. Cordiality prevailed. After this conference there could be no thought of turning back.

The report indicated 12 points to be covered in an application lo War Assets: degree and legitimacy of need; suitability of the 23 facilities; veterans' preferences; prospect of resultant improvement of living standards; ability of applicant to maintain it financially; inadequacy of existing facilities; degree of unrestricted community uses; degree of tax support; delineation of area desired; capacity of proposed operations; plan of operation; monetary savings to Government. Also, other property or utilities needed. Nothing was overlooked.

Before adjournment, a meeting of Messers Woolley, Kellogg, Davidson and Elliott-acting as an unofficial steering committee- was arranged for next morning. Thus closed this memorable day, September 6th, 1946.

The meeting at Newport Harbor high school was equally amicable. The Agriculture people were agreeable to have the college lead the way, and would make their application fit the pattern set by us schoolmen. We would share the Base facilities, if awarded the property. Please remember that up to this time no junior college district had been formed. We had no legal status to carry on negotiations with the Government. Laguna Beach still stood across the road to unionization. But we did have a lot of confidence in ultimate success. The "Ag" men had started earlier than we. They were at Long Beach with Ben Reddick when "hell broke loose" with the War Assets people. These gentlemen were not as confident of success as we were, although it was remembered that Mr. Kellogg had been very successful a few years earlier in obtaining a number of government buildings from Wilmington which he turned into a neat business venture. His knowledge of the ways of politicians might be helpful to us.

We decided that since the Base was within the Newport Harbor high school district, we would address a letter of intent to War Assets, in the name and on behalf of the as yet non-existent Trustees of the Junior College of this district. This letter would serve as a 'hold order' pending developments. We and they knew that there was competition for the property, and we also knew that War Assets did not relish the role of referee and wanted to pass the entire property on to one applicant if possible. Anyone interested in reading of this phase of the matter will find much in the newspapers of the county in the period beginning September, 1946. The righteousness of our course of action is attested by the signatures of Judge Donald J. Dodge, president of the Board, and Mr. A. H. Fitzpatrick, clerk, of Newport Harbor Union High School and Junior College District (to be).

No stone was left unturned. We burned telephone lines, wrote letters, spoke before many service clubs, chambers of commerce, the 24 Coast Association. We wrote copy for many newspapers, held conferences. We motored miles to contact people who might be interested in sharing our good fortune or in being helpful to us in our project. We wanted a junior college. Willis Warner contacted the County agencics we have mentioned. We talked with Youth Authority officials in Los Angeles, and others. Our faces became familiar in Government offices in the Chester Williams building, the Bendix and Mode o' Day buildings. Receptionists called us by name. With Ben Reddick and our wives we sought an interview with Governor Warren at Chino, but he failed to make the appointment.

After several days we were able to contact Dr. Lindsay in Sacramento and tell him the good news about the Base. When he heard that we had drawn up a budget of $1 million he expressed misgivings. He could not say how the Director of Finance would view this. Mr. Simpson would want to be convinced of the need for veterans' education. But he did say that the survey was being conducted, and he would do what he could for us. In order to give him support in his battle in our behalf, we gave up our Admission Day picnic plans and wrote Dr. Lindsay a long letter.

After a few more days of anxious waiting, we began to make our own contacts. We remembered that Ben Reddick, away back on August 21st, had said that Lawrence C. Stevens, Director of the Department of Veterans' Affairs, Sacramento, knew all about the funds that Governor Warren was supposed to have at his disposal. We wanted to know just how this money could be made available to us. Upon inquiry, we learned that our man would be in Los Angeles for a V.A. committee meeting on September 20th. We invited ourselves to be there.

Meantime, Dr. Lindsay, Dr. Lawrence White and Chester Gilpin dropped in on us to talk about the survey. The suggestion was made that our chances for a union junior college district would be strengthened if it included only Newport Harbor and Huntington Beach. It was doubtful if the other school districts would join quickly enough to help in acquiring the Air Base site. They could join later, if they desired to do so. Otherwise, the survey would probably be satisfactory. Dr. Lindsay said he thought we were asking for too much money; Veterans' Affairs people should define veterans' educational needs. We should limit ourselves to a college only, and not get involved with the Agricultural District's problems. And we must write another letter to Sacramento. We followed this suggestion, but without enthusiasm.

We arrived at the State Building, Los Angeles, early. Mr. Paul Torelli introduced us to Lawrence Stevens before the committee meeting, and we briefed him on our proposition, laying stress upon our need for financial backing. Stevens promised that he would go to the Governor for us. We then decided to fortify him with a memorandum to take to Mr. Warren. Mr. Torelli offered the services of his office staff. But before going there we met other important men.

Dr. Buel Enyeart of the Division of Readjustment and Rehabilitation, State Department of Education, talked with us. We quoted Dr. Lindsay's statement that Roy Simpson, State Superintendent of Schools, was not convinced of the need for veterans' education beyond what the colleges were doing. Enyeart said he was making a survey in this regard for presentation to the State Board of Education on October 4th. He expressed skepticism regarding funds promised us for the first year's operations by Dr. Lindsay, so we produced the stenographic notes of June Elliott recording what had been said at that August 29th meeting. Enyeart reiterated he knew of no such funds, but promised to help if he could.

We next talked with Legionnaire O. W. Price, Directol of Vocational Rehabilitation and Educational Services in the Veterans' Retraining program. Mr. Price told of the great need for vocational training facilities, and promised his help to us. We told our tale to E. V. Wicklander, Field Administrator of the G.l. Bill of Rights program in California, who expressed interest and promised such help as he could give.

Mr. Torelli left us in his ofiice to compose our appeal to the Governor, while he went to check up on statements regarding the Governor's funds for veterans' education. His secretary stayed with us through her lunch hour and typed four copies of our memorandum, one for Governor Warren, one for Colonel A. J. Read in War Assets, two for us. Our memo contained all the essentials of what we have thus far written in this chapter. We emphasized the fact that our application would be acceptable only if we could show we were financially able to proceed. This financial support had been orally given by Dr. Lindsay, but written assurance was required. State authorities must give an answer, favorable or not.

We then went to War Assets' oilices and delivered the copy of the memo, together with our 12 page statement of proposed uses of Base facilities. (This had taken many hours in preparation. ) Both Colonel Read and Mr. DeWolfe seemed to be pleased with this study and the memorandum.

Back to the State Building. Mr. Torelli delivered our memo to 6 Mr. Stevens, then busy in session, and came out to say he had checked on the fund and that the Governor had $7 million to use. We thanked him for everything and happily took our departure.

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