The herald., 1893-07-30
FEAR TOO HIGH TAXES.
PETITIONS BEFORE THE CITY
BOARD OF EQUALIZATION,
Number of Property Owners Advance
Their Reasons for Believing That
Their Assessments Are
Much Too High.

The board OF equalization met yester-
day morning in the city hall at 10
O'Clock.
Mr.. Nickell occupied the chair, and all
the other members were present with
the exception Of Mr.. Teed.
G. Ducommun appeared on citation,
and was sworn. He stated that he had
$651.19 in bank and $l27 in cash, and
owned no bonds except $50, 900 in United
States per cents, worth at present
$1.08. He told the board that he did
very little credit business; bis daily
business was from $40 to $25, and had
some stock in the City Water company.
Action was deferred until August 9th
at 2 p. m. The board then adjourned
until p. m.
The afternoon session of the board of
equalization met yesterday in the city
hall at O'Clock, Mr.. Nickel occupying
the chair and all the members present
with the exception of Mr.. Teed.
Mr.. I. D. 5timson, who was cited to
appear and show cause why his ASSESS
ment should not be raised from nothing
to $l00, 900, presented a petition and
asked hearing. He desired the as
sessment on the Improvements on the
lot at the corner of Third and Spring
streets to be reduced from $4,000 to
$4,000, and also the assessment on the
improvements on his property on Figue-
roa street be reduced from $4,000 to
$4,000.
MIR. Stimson said the total cost of the
improvements on the lot at Third and
Spring streets up to March 1st, inciud-
ing the expense of removing the old
buildings, was 500, ,472.S9. He also said
that the cost of his improvements on
the property on Figueroa street amount
ed to $3.50, 900. Although the improve
ments on the latter had cost him in the
neighborhood of the amount stated.
still he thought that the various ar
rangements for health, utility and COM
fort which a man places in his own
home and uses individually ought not
to be assessed at that amount, because
they might not meet the ideas of sub
sequent purchaser and be removed.
He said he understood it was custom
ary to assess property at between 80
and 80 per cent of its actual value, and
therefore petitioned that his assessment
be reduced.
City Assessor Hinton said that Mr..
Stimson was undoubtedly mistaken in
his views. Property was generally esti-
mated at what under ordinary circum.
stances it was worth, and then assessed
low enough 80 that in case of COM
pulsory sale it would bring the assessed
value.
The citation ss 100000 was dismissed
and action on the petition taken under
advisement until August 9th, at 10
O'Clock.
Co. Griffith was cited to show cause
why he should not be assessed to
$4,000. Mr.. Griffith appeared and
showed that he really had no solvent
credits, but was in reality in debt. On
motion of Mr.. Munson the citation was
dismissed.
N. p. Campbell was cited to appear
and show why his assessment should not
be raised to $4,000, as he had only re-
turned $50. Mr.. Campbell prod uced
a number of bank books which showed
he had in bank March 1st in the neigh
borhood of $1,000. No action was taken
in the matter and it was taken under
advisement until p. m. August 9,
1898.
James Gunner, OF Kerckhof, Gunner &
Co., on citation appeared and was
sworn. He stated that he thought they
ought to have $4,000 in solvent credits.
On motion action was deferred to
August 9th, at 10 q. m.
The petition of Mrs. Julia E. Dewey
for reduction in assessment on part
lot 2, block 3, Hsncock's survey, on
jefferson street, from $1,000 to 5000, was
denied.
A petition from the State Loan and
Trust company asking that the assess
ment to it for solvent credits of $81 ,44O
be stricken from the roll, was presented
and a hearing set for Thursday, August
10th, at 10 a. N.
A petition from W. H. Perry was pre-
sented to the board, asking for reduc-
ton from $40. 1000 to 10000 on north %
lot 3, block 4, Ord's survey. The hear
ing was set for August3 8, 1898, at 10 a. m.