Los Angeles herald., 1891-08-31

read to the delegation newspaper clip
ping announcing that E. J. Baldwin had
raised an immense crop OF oranges on
his Los Angeles orchard--realizing net
profit of 100000, or nearly sl400 on
each acre.
Assessor Gray disputed this, saying
that the information was incorrect. He
was quite familiar with the Baldwin
orchard, and knew that no such money
as quoted was realized. He doubted ii
Mr.. Baldwin realized $500 per acre on
his crop. The land had been assessed
at 500 per acre, and the trees at from
$50 to 5000 per acre.
Mr.. Swan wanted an itemized state
ment with reference to how many acres
OF trees were assessed at 5000, how many
at $3.50, and so on, but the assessor said
he could not remember the amounts.
After quite little debate on the mat
ter of the Baldwin orchard, Chairman
Morehouse said that enough had been
heard on the point, and suggested that
they proceed in some order with the in
QUESTION.
In order that the other supervisors
might schip in, when they saw fit, and
Mr.. Davis then resumed his argu-
more figures, showing that property in
Los Angeles city had been sold for less
than it was assessed for. He had not
gone far, however, when one of the state
equalizers intimated that the board had
in its possession some copies of appraise-
ments, which compared with the assess
ments on the same property, took con-
siderable Of the shine off Mr.. Davis's
figures.
"Oh, l see !; you have been picking out
a few cases to trip us on,' said Mr..
Davis, rather sarcastically.
At this all of the equalizers jumped up
and denied the imputation warmly.
TO "DowN" THEM.
"Well," said Mr.. Davis, II didn't
know but that you, had been looking up
information with which to down u.s."
Mr.. Morehouse arose, and very coolly
but forcibiy informed Mr.. Davis and the
other Los Angeles men that the state
board was not composed of tricksters, or
of persons who were prejudiced to Los
Angeles or any other county. ''If you
think we are engaged in that kind of
business" he said, "you are making
very serious mistake. It's very dan
gerous line of argument for you to
adopt"
Equalizer Swan also read the "riot
act" to the visitors. He explained to
chem that the State board, in gathering
its information, did not pick out partic-
ular cases of low assessments and high
appraisements. They simply had the
lists copied off just as they happened to
| come. While there were many entries
there that tended to corroborate Mr..
Davis's assertions, there were also a
great many which did not. The board
had to keep such data handy for it's own
protection.
The other members nodded their ap-
proval of Mr.. Swans remarks.
Mr.. Davis and his associates apologized
by saying that they did not mean to in
sinuate that the board was prejudiced,
or disposed to deal unfairly with Los
Angeles.
Mr.. Beamer said that inasmuch as
| there had been misunderstanding, per-
haps the visiting delegates would like to
know why Los Angeles was cited to ap-
pear and show cause why its assessment
should not be raised. The board had
reasons for citing the county to show
cause. and was willing to give them.
Mr.. Davis said he would like to hear
the reasons, but he did not wait to hear
them. He resumed reading his COM
parative figures. He went ON telling
how values had deprecated since the
boom, and presently Mr.. Beamer's offer
was forgotten.
Assessor Gray told about some land
he bought for $4,000 an acre during the
boom, and which he could not now get
more than 1900 an acre for.
"What was it assessed for when you
first got it?" asked Mr.. Morehouse
quietly.
II believe 5000 an acre. replied the
assessor.
| after the great crash" said Mr.. More
house, nodding significantly.
The assessor admitted that such was
the case.
Mr.. Davis said that the assessors re-
marks were intended to show how great
was the depreciation in values.
"Yes," said Mr.. Morehouse, ''you are
anxious now to have your assessment
keep pace with the decrease, but your
assessments did not keep the same pace
when values were up high. That is
| what strikes me as being 30 singular"
| Mr.. Beamer asked Mr.. Davis and the
assessor large number of questions re-
| garding the value of certain pieces of
property in the city Of Los Angeles, and
then drew comparisons with the assess
ments. All through the questioning the
gentlemen insisted that the assessments
we're almost equal to the value of the
| property. a9
|. I. As has been done in other cases, the
Los Angeles matter will be taken under
advisement by the board.
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| A National Event.
! The holding of the Worlds Fair in city
| scarcely fifty years old will be remarkable
event, but whether it will really benefit this ma
ton as much as the discovery Of the Restorative