Looking Back to 1940: City refunds water deposits to renters, 1554 locals register for the draft
This look back at Paso Robles history comes from local newspapers in the Paso Robles Area Historical Society collection. News for this column is selected with the assistance of Research Director Jan Cannon. Newspaper photography by GiGi Green.
Excerpts from Wednesday, October 23, 1940 Paso Robles Record
City refunding water deposits to former renters
City of Paso Robles is refunding water deposits to 65 renters who have become home owners since their deposit was paid, it was revealed at a meeting of the city council Tuesday night. The deposits are three dollars each and some were made as long ago as 1922. City ordinance requires a water deposit from renters but not from owners.
Discussion on support of Proposition No. 14 on the general election ballot was held, but no action taken due to the absence of Councilmen K.B. Nelson and Truman Brooks, Jr. The proposition would permit cities and counties to expend revenues received from automobile “in lieu” tax and liquor license fees for local general purposes.
A $1000 bond posted by A.R. Johnson, local cement contractor, was accepted by the council. A communication from the state comptroller was rad which announced that he had given permission for the city to purchase needed lots near the reservoir. The lots are now on sale for delinquent taxes.
Chief of Police Claude Azbell recommended that the council adopt some form of identification tag or plat for bicycles. He reported that eight machines had been reported lost or stolen in the last few months.
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1554 register with Paso Robles draft board
Paso Robles young men anxiously awaited the draft lottery in Washington Tuesday following the posting of their numbers by the local selective service board yesterday. A total of 1554 names from the northern three-quarters of San Luis Obispo County were given numbers and posted by the local group at the headquarters in Memorial hall on South Sprint Street.
A number of additional registrations are expected by the board from men who registered outside the county on October 16. Following are the precincts under the local board and the number who registered last Wednesday: Almond No. 1, 33; Almond No. 2, 34; Cholame, 18, Creston, 19; Estrella, 21; Lunch, 4, Las Tablas, 10: Paso Robles No. 1, 55; Paso Robles No. 2, 202; Paso Robles No. 3, 54; Paso Robles No. 4, 55; Paso Robles No. 5, 61; San Miguel, 78; Shandon, 70; Union, 20; Bishop, 119; Cambria No. 1, 62; Cambria No. 2, 41; Cayucos, 59; Morro No. 1, 84; Morro No. 2, 69; San Simeon, 12; Atascadero No. 1, 19, Atascadero No. 2, 28: Atascadero No. 3, 33; Atascadero No. 4, 83; Atascadero No. 5, 15; Atascadero No. 6, 11: Huer Huero, 21; Josephine, 10; La Panza, 14; Las Pilitas, 3; Pozo, 11; Santa Margarita No 1, 23: Santa Margarita No. 2, 45; Templeton No.1, 45: and Templeton No. 2, 51.
Precinct No. 2 in Paso Robles had the heaviest registration in the county with a total of 202. San Luis Obispo No. 5 was the next with 172. Draft Board No. 136 in San Luis Obispo, which will handle the southern quarter of the county, reported over 2500 registrations.
The office at Memorial hall is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day and registrants may inquire for their numbers during those hours. Anyone who has failed to register is urged to do so at once. After the lottery on October 29, severe penalties will be inflicted on draft evaders.
Chairman John C. Hudson of the draft advisory board announced that his committee, membership of which was announced in the Journal last week, will meet within the next few days to lay plans for assisting the registrants in filling out the six-page questionnaire which will be mailed to them after the lottery.
Historical note from The National World War II Museum: “On September 16, 1940, the United States instituted the Selective Training and Service Act of 1940, which required all men between the ages of 21 and 45 to register for the draft. This was the first peacetime draft in United States’ history.”
Read previous Looking Back articles
- Looking Back to 1916: Couple celebrates golden anniversary, city plans Halloween ‘Big Jinx’
- Looking Back to 1955: Community celebrates Pioneer Day Silver Anniversary
- Looking Back to October 1954: Paso Robles set for Pioneer Day
- Looking Back to 1936: New police car and traffic cop approved
- Looking Back to 1953: Paso kidnapper surrenders, Pioneer Day calls for floats
Thank you to the sponsors of Looking Back
Paso Robles Pioneer Museum – Come take a real look back into local Paso Robles history. Open Thursday through Sunday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. 2010 Riverside Ave., Paso Robles, CA 93446, www.pasoroblespioneermuseum.org (805) 239-4556.
Estrella Warbird Museum is an aviation museum dedicated to the restoration and preservation of military aircraft, vehicles, and memorabilia. Woodland Auto Display is also open. Hours: Thursday through Sunday: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.. 4251 Dry Creek Road, Paso Robles, CA 93446, ewarbirds.org, (805) 227-0440.
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