EDITORIALS The Salt Lake Tribune Saturday, Jan. 24, 1948 Established April 15, 1871. Issued every morning by The Salt Lake Tribune Publishing Co., Salt Lake City, Utah California Starts Celebration Today Of Gold Discovery Centennial Today marks the hundredth anniversary of the discovery of gold in California and the official opening of the coast state's centennial, which promises to be a year of celebration. Unlike Utahs Centennial last year, 1848 is not the date of the first permanent settlement in the area by members of the white race. That had happened long before in California, but that notable year saw not only the discovery of gold at Sutters mill, but the date when the Golden state became a part of the United States of America. It was several years after this that California was given statehood. Gold had been found on January 24, 1848, but it took some time for the news to reach other parts of the country and even then it Was received as a rather wild rumor. In May of that year the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed with Mexico ceding the large Pacific coast area to the United States. Perhaps if the accuracy and significance of the gold discovery had been known there would have been more difficulty over the treaty. Before the momentous discovery in a mill stream among the hills above Sacramento the region now known as California was a sparsely settled land with less than half of its 10,000 residents from the United States. Its chief economic activity was exporting hides and tallow. The great gold rush which came the next year gave 1849 and the forty niners their place in history. Monterey had been the capital since 1777 and was for many years the center of the civil and social life of the Mexican and Spanish population. President James K. Polk in his message to congress in December, 1848, drew attention to the advantages of this Pacific coast region while deploring the chaotic affairs that had already begun to appear as a result of the gold rumor. Labor commands a most exorbitant price, the president mourned, and all pursuits but that of searching for the precious metals are abandoned. Nearly the whole of the male population have gone to the gold districts....This abundance of gold caused in California an unprecedented rise in the price of all the necessities of life. The last words have a familiar ring. That was inflation in the early days of the west. There was too much gold and not enough articles or commodities to purchase. Besides, as President Polk said, no one wanted to work at anythirig but gold mining. This official pronouncement set off the rush which had already gained much momentum. By the end of February, 1849, more than a hundred ships full of gold seekers had left the eastern part of the United States for the long voyage around Cape Horn. Overland migration saw a total of more than 20,000 persons a year trudging across plains and deserts for the fabulous land of gold. Although in succeeding years California has become notable for other things than gold such as climate, cable cars and oranges the inrush of miners from all parts of the United States marked the beginning of the states commercial and industrial progress. The citizens of Utah congratulate Calilornians on the occasion of this centennial year and extend heartiest wishes for a successful celebration. Sunday, January 25 Very cold windy day Many Air planes injured at Field. 3 men killed at Salt Lake in plane crash 2 of them Ogden men I go to Sunday school Eat dinner at Cleones. Write to Justin Eccles and Mrs Flygare Monday, January 26 Windy cold day and nite. Go to Weber College lecture Robb St John talks on Greece and near East. Cleone goes to Salt Lake to musicle. Mira feeling better