p. 16 | A Caution by Clarence Santee

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 20, 1902

A Caution

By Clarence Santee

I FEEL that I ought to give a caution to those coming from the Eastern States to Southern California. There has been quite an inflow from these States for the last few months; and while some have obtained remunerative employment, many have met with hardship and disappointment in a strange land. This has led to discouragement. Every line of work is overdone. The laboring class do not have the chances here that they have in the East. The cost of living is higher. The Chinese do a large part of the gardening and farming, at wages that we cannot compete with. Unless a man has means to purchase a fruit or walnut farm, which will cost from five hundred to fifteen hundred dollars an acre, he will find it a bitter fight, with the large class who are waiting for work.

There is a population of two hundred and sixty thousand in Southern California; added to this, two hundred thousand come each twelvemonth, for different reasons. Many of these must have work while they stay. They may have come to bring some invalid. They are on the lookout for work, and must get something to do.

I do not want to discourage those who ought to come; but I would advise all to know what they are going to do before landing here with but little means, and that little liable to go quickly. I have been deeply pained as brethren and sisters have come to me asking what they can do. California is a pleasant land, in many respects; but when work cannot be had, destitution and want are unwelcome visitors. Write to those with whom you are acquainted, and get a place of steady employment before you start, and all will be well.

CLARENCE SANTEE.

Los Angeles, Cal.