California is Ready for Land Grabbing Nevada
February 27, 1959
“If it’s war Nevada wants, we’ll give it to them!” This was the battle cry given out today in the state assembly in the light of latest reports from Carson City that the Nevada Legislature wants to take away from California about 20,000 square miles lying on the eastern slopes of the Sierra Nevada.
Assemblyman Don Mulford of Alameda County cited the challenge from Nevada: “Give us Susanville or give us death!” “As a native son,” Mulford boomed, “I can’t remain silent in the face of threats like this.” He demanded to know what steps were being taken.
Fleet Action
Assemblyman Clayton Dills of Los Angeles County, chairman of the assembly interstate cooperation bill, said he is preparing a bill to put a fleet on the California side of Lake Tahoe.
Assemblyman George Crawford of San Diego County, chairman of the military affairs committee, announced he is willing to accept volunteers for an expeditionary force “with necessary camp followers” to stand guard at Stateline.
Assemblyman Carl Britschgi of San Mateo County, referred to as admiral of the Swiss navy, told the lawmakers he and Assemblyman Edwin L. Z’berg of Sacramento County, another Swiss, will set off by boat on the Sacramento River tomorrow to protect the eastern border around Susanville, Lassen County.
Poor Shape
Assemblyman John L. E. Collier of Los Angeles said California defenses at Lake Tahoe are in poor shape because of the delay of building a bridge across Emerald Bay.
In a more serious vein, Collier said the issue was one of Nevada gamblers taking another gamble.
