Los Angeles daily herald., 1889-09-23

Property Valuations and Booms.
In 1880 the assessed value of the city
of Los Angeles was set down: Real estate,
$4,O63, 1858; improvements, $2,179,9S5;
personal property, 81 400, 694-total ST.
627, 1888. The next year the total valua-
ton was raised to something over 3d.
600, 1000. In 1882 the figures stood at
over $12, 900, 900; and then for three
years there was raise Of about 50 0oo,-
900 year. In 1887 a big jump was
made, putting the gross sum at nearly
$28, 600, 900. Last year it was raised to
nearly $1,000, 600, and this year the
valuation is $44, 900, 900, for all property
in the city. In 1881 the county assess
ment stood at $16,697,591 The next
year it was raised almost exactly 81 ,00O,-
600. For the three following
years the increase of value ran
at from 100000 to 100000 q
year. In 1886 there was a great
stride of $1,000, 600 made, raising the
total to SAC, 900, 600. In 1887 Mr.. Mason
came into the Office of Assessor and in
flated the valuation to nearly 500 600, 900,
an increase of 125 per cent. The next
year this king of the boomers showed
the figures up to nearly $l03, 000,0 900, or
more than $50 per cent. in two years.
Thinking this an injustice to the county,
the State Board of Equalization was
asked to reduce the assessment, which
they did by ten per cent. The past year
has been quiet one, with comparatively
little doing in real estate, and there GER
tainly was no reason for raising the
valuation of property. Notwithstanding
this fact the Assessor put the assessment
at nearly his own figures of the year be-
fore. Another appeal to the State Board
was made, and a 10 per cent. rebate was
granted. In this connection it is to be
noted that all the counties in Southern
California except Los Angeles took oc.
casion of the quiet prevailing in realty to
reduce their assessments more or less.
San Diego leads with falling off of over
$4,000, 900, San Bernardino drops 81 ,6OO,-
600, Santa Barbara lowers her figures by
nearly 5000, 900, and Ventura drops
down nearly 100000. Mark it, Los
Angeles held her own. CHANGING at other
sections of the State only four counties
made any noted advance in the valuation
of their property. San Francisco is
raised by about $4,000, 900, and high
time it was for the Bay City to make some
attempt at paying her just proportion Of
State taxes. She ought to be raised
twice as much next year. Alameda
comes next with an increase of over
100000. Fresno follows with "a, $780,
600 more than last year. Kern is next
with raise of 81, 2S2 900. OF the fifty
two counties in the State, fifteen, or
nearly one-third of all, are assessed for
less in 1889, than in 1888. The others,
outside of the four given in detail above,
make but inconsiderable advances
in their figures. Much adverse
comment has been made in
reference to the petition of Los
Angeles for q rebate. The papers of
counties in the central part of the State
have not been generous in this matter.
The figures given above ought to stop all
cavil. Taking the figures after the re-
bate is made, and yet the county has in.
creased her wealth 45O per cent since
the boom began, and holds that gain
firmly. Her assessment in 1889 by the
corrected figures is three times as great
as it was in 1885, and is two and one
quarter times what it was in 1885. 1t is
not to be expected that these rates of in.
crease will be carried on forever. Ala
media county is still assessed for SIC, 000,-
600 less than Los Angeles county, Sacra-
mento county is valued at only one-third
OF our figures. San Francisco county,
with $50, 600 900 on deposit in her
savings banks, and with one bank carry
ing as large assets as all our financial in.
situations, is assessed at only three times
as much as we are. The boom in Los
Angeles was in the main perfectly le-
climate development. 1t was founded
on intrinsic merit, and while for a mo-
ment halt has been called in the work
of settling up this imperial county, and
in developing her marvellous resources,
there is boom ahead which will eclipse
the one behind.