The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1894-07-23
INCREASE IN THE ASSESSMENT.
The Results Of the Work of the
County Equalizers.
Personal Property Raised and Real
Estate Let Alone.
The Boards Labors VIII Result In an
Increase of Between So 90. 900 and
@3OO,OOO-soms Of the
Figures.

formed its labors very quietly this year
and the result of its work has not yet
been tsbulated. The clerks were very
busy all last week making the correc-
tions upon the assessment rolls called
for by the resolutions adopted by the
board. This work will be completed
during the present week, when the ex-
act totals will be obtainable.
While the figures cannot be given
with any exactitude, Chairman Cook Of
the board of.supervisors was able to give
o HERALD reporter an idea of the result
OF the laborious task OF himself and his
fellow members, when spoken to about
the matter.
In reply to an inquiry as to the gen.
eral result, Mr.. Cook said that it would
give an increase in the assessment over
the figures of County Assessor Gray.
He could not tell just how much it
would be, but thought it would be be-
tween 5000, 900 and $500. 900.
This would not materially affect the
rate Of taxation az 1t was asmall amount
compared with the millions of the
assessment, yet it would be one factor
with others, which he believed would
result in lesser tax rate when it came
time in September next to fix the rate
for the ensuing year.
| The supervisors, he said, had watched
the expenditures in county affairs very
closely and had made numerous saw
ings, which would enable the board to
fl less rate than that of the present
year. although he could not at this time
give any idea of the amount of reduction
in the rate that could be accomplished.
Upon being questioned as to details
in the work of equalization. Mr.. Cook
informed the reporter that the increase
in assessments had been almost entirely
confined to personal property. There
were but few increases in assessments of
real estate, while in some instances the
| figures of the assessor in that class OF
property had been reduced.
The principal line of assessments
raised were upon corporations and bust
ness firms, where upon investigation the
board arrived at the conclusion that the
valuation did not conform to the testi-
mony given before it by the gentlemen
who appeared as witnesses.
There were quite q number of in
stances in which new improvements
had not been counted in by the assessor.
In these cases the board valued the inn
provemente and added the amounts to
the assessed valuations of the assessor.
Access was obtained to the lists being
the board of equalization, and some Of
the principal increased assessments were
| obtained.
The Los Angeles City Water company
was raised $4,000 on new water pipe.
Its pipe was put in at $425, 900 and the
board raised this amount to $500, 900.
The assessment of the franchise OF the
Los Angeles Consolidated Electric com.
pany last year was $25. $50. and the
board raised thie amount to $52, $50, an
increase of $4,000.
One OF the most striking instances oil
increase was that of $4,000 in county
bonds, which was added to Mr.. L. Phil
lips assessment. He appeared before
the board of equalization and was exam.
ined at some length in regard to this
amount of bonds, which he claimed he
had disposed of, and protested that he
should not be assessed upon them. The
examination was quite long and several
spirited passages at arms occurred be-
tween Mr.. Phillips and members of the
board. At the conclusion of the hearing
the board decided that thcy were not
satisfied that there had been a satisiac.
tory explanation and put an addition oil
$4,000 upon Mr.. Phillips assessment.
The wharf franchise of the San Pedro
Lumber company ct San Pedro was
last year 500. This was raised by the
board to $4,000.
An addition was made to the assess.
ment of the W. H. Perry Mill and Lum-
Der company for wharf at San Pedro
of $1,000.
Over at Santa Monica the board de-
cided that the assessment of the Santa
Monica water works was net large
enough to cover the improvements
which have been made and added $500
to Senator John P. Jones' assessment
and $500 to that of Mrs. Arcadia B. de
Baker.
The Pacific Coast Steamship company
comes in for an addition to it's assess
ment for wharf aud Improvements at
San Pedro. The board increased its
assessment from $500 to 1890.
There was also an increase ordered In
the assessment of Charles A. Mariner
for wharf at Terminal Island from $1,000
to $4,000.
When the board reached the assess
ment of business firms in LoS Angeles,
| numerous lNCTehbcb WcT0 luau0s among
them we're Mullen q Bluett, from sl2,.
600 to $4,000; and H. Jevne, from
$500 to $4,000, and many others in
small amounte.
There is quite a long list of property
owners where the board, after examin-
alton, declined to order any increase,
and, in several instances, where there
had been losses by fire and other
means, granted reduction from the fig
ures presented by the county assessor.
J The increase comes in general from
| small amounts in individual cases, and,
as stated, almost invariably on personal
property.
The real estate values, where changes
would have affected the grand total,
were left almost unaltered, the board
accepting the work of the county as
SCISSOR, in this respect, without much
| question. The assessors valuation of
real estate ileelf resulted in decided
increase over last year, more especially
in the increase in improvements, and
his work 30 completely covered that
class OF assessments. that the equaliza-
ton did not disturb it.
What the state board of equaliz alton
will do with the work of the county
board is subject which is already agi-
| tsting the supervisors. 1t is said that
| the state board will, no doubt, try to
/ put q stiff raise on the figures as they
| houa coy,,o frorn the asseasor and comfy