The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1894-09-01
ENvIOUS OF LOS ANGELES.

The state board OF equalization when
they met were confronted with the sp-
pslling fact that the assessment rolls of
forty seven counties showed decrease.
Included in these is San Francisco,
whose returns exhibit q decrease in
values in round numbers of Sl7, 0O0, 900.
Los Angeles. however, comes to the
front with a roll increased from $74,-
100000 to 5000. 900, the surplus over
last year aggregating more than all the
increase returned from the few other
counties whose assessments are greater
than they were in 1898. And yet the
disposition of the board was not to
equalizs our assessment downward so as
to make it consistent with the returns
OF the counties that had fallen
off, but upward, 30 as to make
it, We presume, compensats for
the shortages OF the counties in the
minus column. We have every reason
to believe that the state board would
have acted on this unfair principle had
we not had representatives before it who
pleaded our cause intelligently and ire
futsbly. 1t was always thus. All our
state boards of equalization start out
with the idea that Los Angeles is good
county to be cinched for the benefit OF
the rest of the state. If our figures are
let alone this year. it will be for very
shame of the glazing injustice their in
crease would present to all fair and rea-
sonable minds.
The equslizers now have q good
chance to show that they are actuased
by honest and just principles in carry
ing out the duties Of their office. Let
them exercise the function of their
position in the true and equitable spirit
implied in the name of their board, and
reduce the assessment OF Los Angeles
county to a consistent level with that OF
the other counties OF the state. There
is certain amount of revenue which
must be raised, and il our increase is
preserved in the face of the decrease in
the forty-seven counties. the rate will
have to be raised to an unusually high
figure. We shall then lose the benefit
We ought to be entitled to from our in
creased valuation in the lower rate we
would have to pay. But If our valua-
ton is lowered consistently with the
decrease in the other counties We shall
only be justly dealt with.
The decrease in values of 100000
In San Francisco in one year makes a
very significant showing. 1t is evidence
that the canker OF decay has struck that
Wanted center very seriously, snd very
Rlaringly shows that the assessments
there are very partially made. What
sort of lsgerdemein enables the i'm
mense portable wealth of that city to
elude the assessor? We all know that
San Francisco is the depository OF I'M
told millions thet never reach the tax
roll. The accu mulated wealth of this
coast for forty years 10 located in that
city in the shape Of capital that goes on
constantly increasing and constantly
Sinking the responsibility of bearing
its share of the burthens of the
state. The real property of the city is
easily discovered and easily assessed;
but the hidden wealth has a way of
escaping the tsxRstherer which is well
understood by those familiar with the
wilss and ways of the popular mesropol.
itan assessor. Hence the decrease in
the roll OF that city must be looked for
almost exclusively in the value OF its
realty. and that gives to the outside
world hint that must react disastrous
ly upon the prestige Of San Francisco as
a desirable place for the investment of
money in real property.
Whilst Los Angeles is going rapidly
on the upgrade of prosperity, 1t would
seem that our rival at the north 10 COM
ing down with equal celebrity.