The morning call., 1892-01-24
DUNN'S CHARGES
AGAINST SIEBE.
An Investigation of Them by the
Finance Committee.
The Accused Justifes His Meager Assessment
of the Luning Estate by Showing
That It Had Changed Hands.

The Finance Committee OF the Board of Super.
yisOrs held quite a spirited session yesteId y
forenoon, hearing the charges by Horace Dunn,
expert Of the late Grand Jury, against Assessor
Slebr There were present beside The Interested
parties l.. 1. MOrehonse and JabeZ Swan Of the
State Board of Equalization, who took ill.," with
significant attention, all that transpred.
MI Dunn charged that the assessments OF the
Lunng estate for the fiscal years 1SS9.9O and
lS90-9l were grossly below the true value Of
the property; and the same charge was made
concerning the assessment OF Whlttier, Fuller q
Co. Tor the fiscal year OF 1890 81. He demanded
that the Assessor be required to make new as
sessmeut IN obedience TO he statute, which says
that the value OF the property in such eases
shall be doubled. The Luning estate was assessed
IN 1S90-9l for S93.107, when the inventory
shows that the personal property belonging 10
the estate was at that time over S40O0OO0.
Whittier, Fuller q Co were assessed for
100000 when their property Is worth at least
Sl,5OOOOO
LAW ON SOLVENT CREDITS.
Charles Ackerman, as counsel for Ass essOr
Slebe, said that 1t could be shown that most Of
the notes OF ihe estate were secured by mort
cages on real estate.
Mr. Dunn replied by citing the law relating TO
the assessment Of solvent credits, and main
talned that the Assessor had sufficient evidence
10 warrant making re-dsseSsment. Che as
sessment complained Of was made by Nealou.)
lie believed II the duty OF the Supervisors TO
order ii done now.
Mr.. Whittel, one Of the executors or LunIng's
VIII was called by Chairman Ebert, but declined
at first to be sworn, because the committee was
not sitting as Board of Equalization.
j. b. LanghOrue. COuuSel for the Luntng Com
pany, cited Section 3G49 ofithe Political Code as
having completely eStupped the Assessor from
taking The step desired by Dunn. Tie property
In question III March, 1891, was not in posses
sion OF The same person that Ii was In March,
1870. Nicholas LunlnR had died, and his viii
was admitted TO probate In August, 1890 Un-
Ylta laV H.. ffTn a
in the Will became Tie absolute owners OF that
property. The attorney further asserted mat
the committee had not the slightest jurisdiction
TO act upon Tie subject matter of the petition.
TESTIMONY SUBMITTED
Mr.. Whlttel finally consented 10 be sworn.
however. lie said that before the first Monday
IN March, 1891, The estate had purchased
$4,000 600 in Uuited States bonds. A small
sum OF money, about 100000, was deposited in
the Su6-Ireasury aud treasury certificates
taken. Prior TO the first Monday OF march,
1891, The railroad people owed about 81 ,OOO,
OO0 or this amount about 100000 was pad
toward the end OF March Mr.. Nnltell SAID that
II this money had been paid sooner 1t would
have been Invested In United States bonds.
ASSESSOR Sebe submitted a long affidavit In
regard 10 The Luning estite. showing that upon
The advice OF hts counsel he had refused 10 make
re-asSesSment, because the property had
changed ownership. AS TO the Whittier Fuller
assessment, the inventory on file In the Probate
Court represented the total property all over the
Coast, and not In this city, subject 10 taxation.
Mr. Helzer the Assessors chief deputy. ad-
mitted that The statement OF the firm had not
been made under oath, and admitted further
mat 1t was customary IN many cases TO receive
statements without oath.
Tie law reads as follows "Section $685. Pc
litieal Code. lie Qhe Assessor must exact from
each person statement under oath, set
ing fOth specifically all The real and persona |
property owned by such person, or in his posses
sion, or under his control, at II O'Clock NJ. on
the first Monday in March. Such statement
shall be In writing"
Mr. Hezer also stated that the solvent credits
OF Whittier, Fuller & Co., according TO his best
lDfOrmatiOn were $4,000.
Further hearing OF the matter was continued
until Saturday.