The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-08-19

erty in this City and County, except on one
street, Market street. have steadily fallen, I'M
favored localities but60 per cent OF the values
of property in 1893 or 1894 could be obtained
if purchaser can be found. This certainly is
no news to the members OF your honorable
board. Business houses have been reducing
their stock OF goods so as to conform TO the
loss of trade, and many mercantile firms and
manufacturers continue in business, although
expenses are not realized, in hope OF a reviya.
OF trade and commerce.
This condition 1t is hard to acknowledge, but
facts are stubborn and cannot be gainsaid. and
but for the seeming proposed injustice of still
further increasing the burdens are these facts
brought 10 your attention.
The City and County OF San Francisco shares
In the general progress OF the State, and unit
natural advancement is made, this CITY and
County cannot advance its commercial or
manufacturing interests, for like barometer
Gates either the increase or decadence of the
prosperity of the State.
The action of the Assessor in making appli-
cation On behalf of himself and the owners of
property for reduction of 80 per cent on the
assessed valuation of property south OF Golden
Gate Park and west of First avenue. was the
result of many applications from the owners Of
property Tor a reduction of at least so per
cent of the assessed value, and from the fact
that the Assessor based his opinion through
error on the value of this property by deeds
placed on record this year from sales made
years ago on the installment plan, when buy
ers were misled by so-called real estate boom
to pay fancy prices. The investigation clearly
disclosed that this property was assessed not
less than % per cent over and above its actual
cash value, while property in the sand dunes
was assessed at not less than so per cent over
and above its actual cash value.
This is equally true in degree of assessments
in other portions of this City and County. The
decadence in values has not been considered,
but sales OF years ago have been taken as q
basis of valuation wholly uncailed for and far
in excess of actual values.
The reductions made by the Board of Super
visors including SO, 5S3 700 on franchises e.
gregated $2,972, 1856, while the reductions on
the application of the Assessor and from
clerical errors aggregated 81 ,006 AS, or 2 to-
tai of SIS, 979 431. 1t may be pertinent to your
inquiry in this matter to state that, with the
single exception of the reduction made on
franchises, the Assessor recommended after
investigation all the other reductions made.
In presenting the case of San Francisco your
attention Is called to the arguments made be-
fore your honorable board last year as contain
ing the facts upon which this City and County
looks for relief to your honorable board and to
the well-known decadence in values of real ty
and o the contraction OF business, which for
the last few years has been disastrous in its
effects on our merchants, manufacturers and
business men.
In conclusion, in q matter of such i'm por-
lance to our taxpayers, as well as in justice to
the taxpayers OF this State, your honorable
board is respectfully requested to consider the
case of San Francisco without prejudice, for it
is certainly within your knowledge that the
steady decline of the value of realty in this
City and County should be the means of con-
sidering. in place of an increase, what redue-
ton should be made in the aggregate valua-
ton.
As many of the members of the Board of
Supervisors are absent from the City, having
adjourned over for that purpose, ana as no
committee will appear before your honorable
board, the undersigned presents this state
ment as a simple plea for justice ut your hands.
c.. l.. TAYLOR,
Chairman of the Board of Equalization OF the
City and County OF San Francisco.
Between now and the time San Francis
co.'s assessment is to be taken up the Mer-
chants Association will make further
showing to the State board why the as
sessment should not be raised.