Here Are Winner’s Reasons for Suggesting Name of Jefferson

Eureka, California,
Nov. 21, 1941

Editor, The News:

Here is the new name for the proposed new state to be formed out of the counties in Northern California and Southern Oregon. I think it would be very appropriate to name the new state, JEFFERSON, after Thomas Jefferson. My reasons are as follows:
    1 – Thomas Jefferson was the author of the Declaration of Independence, the great instrument that states that the people have a right to govern themselves.
    2 – Thomas Jefferson is the outstanding American in my opinion. Through his influence and foresight the Louisiana Purchase was made, thus adding an immense area to the U.S.
    3 – It was by his foresight that the Lewis Clark Expedition was organized and sent to explore the new Oregon country during his term. I firmly believe that this expedition saved this section as a part of the United States.
    So in view of these facts, the new state would be well named. I own some property in Del Norte county, so feel like I have the right to make the above suggestion. The creation of the new state would encourage thousands of people to move here. As it is, when people come to California, they first go to Los Angeles, or San Francisco, and crowd in those areas, thus passing up the sections that have so much to offer in new and undeveloped resources. I have stated many times in the past three years, that if Del Norte county, could be picked up and set in the Dust Bowl, it would be worth as billion dollars. It is worth that much more where it is, but it will take people to develop it. There must be some incentive for them to come. A new state would offer opportunities and have a pull to bring them. The new state would give more representation in Congress, thus increasing the importance of the western section of the United States.
    I have lived in two territories that came in as states, so have something to back up my statements mentioned above. The west was young when I first saw it. My folks were living in Washington when it came in as a state in 1889. I am

         Yours very truly,
            J. E. MUNDELL