The record-union., 1891-08-28
Afternoon Session.

At the afternoon session, Mr.. Beamer
read to the delegation a newspaper clip
ping announcing that e. j. Baldwin had
raised an immense crop of oranges on his
Los Angeles orchard-realizing a net of
100000, or nearly 81, 400 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 if 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 $500 per acre.
Mr.. Swan wanted an itemized state
ment with reference to how many acres
of trees were assessed at S2G0, how many
at $3.50, and so on, but the Assessor said
he could not remember the amounts.
After quite little debate on the matter
of the Baldwin orchard, Chairman More
house said that enough had been heard
on the point, and suggested that they pro-
ceed IN some order with the inquisition.
In order that the other Supervisors
might "chip in,' when they saw fit, and
assist Mr.. Davis, they were all sworn.
Mr. Davis then resumed his argument
before the board. He read some more
figures, showing that property in Los
Angeles city had been sold for less than
1t was assessed for. He had not gone far,
however, when one of the State EqualiZ-
ers lntimated that the board had in its
possession some copies of appraiSements,
which compared with the assessments on
the same property, took considerable of
the shine off Mr.. Davis figures.
"Oh, l see; you have been picking out
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, 81 didn't know
but that you had been looking up inform
ton with which to down u.s."
Mr.. Morehouse, arose, and very coolly
but forcibly 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 An
geles or any other county. "If you think
we are engaged in that kind of business"
he said, "1 ou are making a very serious
mistake. It's very dangerous line of
argument for you TO adopt"
Equalizer Swan also read the 'riot actn
TO the visitors. He explained to them
that the State Board, in gathering its in
formation, did not pick out particular
cases OF low assessments and high ap-
praisements. They simply had the lists
copied of just as they happened to come.
w hIle there were many entries there that
tended to corrobOrate Mr. Davis asser-
tiOns, there were also great many which
data handy for it's own protection.
The other members nodded their ap-
proyal 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 An
geles.
DID NOT EXPLAIN.
Mr.. Beamer said that inasmuch as there
had been misunderstanding perhaps the
visiting delegates would like to know
why Los Angeles was cited to appear
and show cause why its assessment
should not be raised. The board had rea-
sons for citing the county to show cause,
and was willing to give them.
MIR. Davis said he would like to hear
the reasons, but he did not wait to hear
them: He resumed reading his compara-
tive hgures. 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 $1,000 an acre during the
boom and which he could not now pet,
more than $500 an acre for.
What was it assessed for when Won
first got it ?" asked Mr.. Morehouse qui-
etlv.
II believe 500 an acre." replied the
Assessor
'Aha-less than you value it at now
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.
4es," 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 so singular"
Mr.. Beamer asked Mt. Davis and the
Assessor a large number of questions re-
gardlng 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
were almost equal to the value of the
property.
AS has been done in other cases, the
Los Angeles matter will be taken under
adylsement by the board.
Ventura County's delegation will be
listened to to-day.