The record-union., 1893-08-12
ASSESSED TOO Low.
A Number of Counties Cited to Ap-
pear and Show Cause.
The State Board of Equalization VIII
Sit In Judgment of Values
Fixed by Assessors.

The State Board of Equalization is en-
joying this heated spell by wrestling
with the intricacies of county equaliza-
tion.
Yesterday the Assessor of Yolo County,
W. D. Chamberlain, appeared before the
board to convince them that the drop
of $500, 200 from last years assessment
was just and proper. The assessment
rolls OF this and last year were compared
and it appeared that the loss was on per-
sonal property and improvements, real
estate having held its own this year.
Among other reasons for the low fig
ures, live stock is fetching not over so
per cent. of what it did few years ago,
and there is no market for horses and
mules even at that rate. In fact, they are
a drug in the market, their price having
steadily declined of late years until it is
next to useless to try to raise them, as
they will, in many cases, hardly bring
first cost. The assessment on them this
year then is, in justice, much lower than
last.
Yolo County has had the reputation of
aising the best mules on the coast, but,
in answer to a remark by Mr.. Morehouse,
Mr.. Chamberlain stated that the majority
that were raised there now were ordinary
ones. He also cOntended that he had as
sessed building improvements at a figure
that was fully equal to those of other
counties.
A short time was given to the consid-
GRAFTON and criticism of an article in
Thursdays Bulletin and which reflects on
the statement that they would in all prob
ability raise San Francisco County.
Each member of the board has col
1ected statistics relating to the assessment
of property in San Francisco and has his
desk we'll filled with it. They consider
they have strong proof of neglect of duty
by the Assessor of San Francisco.
McGee's real estate circular for last
year gives monthly the sales of real
estate in that city and the purchase price,
and Mr.. MCGEE last year swore that those
prices were correct. Taking all sales of
81 200 or over, the members of the board
find that the property has been assessed
49 per cent. of its cash value, and also
that the forced sales keep pace in prices
with the private sales.
These facts indicate that the Assessor
has different basis of assessment from
that of the other counties and that it is
nanifestly unjust to the rest.
There is not much doubt that there will
be large raise in the valuation Of San
francisco, therefore.
Some very interesting and suggestive
figures are shown by the assessment
rolls, that the members or the board think
should shut the mouths of the Bulletin
and other papers who are criticizing them
so severely.
a discussion of the rolls of other coun-
ties was held, and the following counties
were cited to appear on the dates mem
toned and show cause why they should
not have their assessments raised: Fresno
and MADEIRA, August 10Th; Tulare and
Kings, the 18th; Riverside, San Bernar-
dino and San Diego, the 18th; Butte and
Huba, the 2lst; Mendocino and Napa, the
22d; Merced and Orange, the 23d; Los An
Reles, the 24th; Sutter and Yolo, the 25th
Tehama and Sacramento, the 18th; Ala
media, the 29th, and San Francisco, the
3lst.