The record-union., 1896-08-22
THUMB-SCREWS ON YOLOITES.
The State Equalizers Give Them Some
Wicked Turns.
The Solano Officials Were Held
Over a Slow Fire for
While.

The State Board of Equalization yes
terday heard from Yolo and Solano
Counties as to their assessments.
Yolo County was heard during the
morning session. The county was rep
resented by Assessor Mark Chamber
lain, Supervisors d. F. hauX, Il. cas-
Selman and John Schuerley, and M.
Sparks, a prominent farmer owning
large tracts of land in the vicinity OF
Winters and Davisviile.
Last year the State Board of Equall-
zation lowered the assessment OF Yolo
County 10 per cent. The increase of the
Assessors roll over that of last year is
S220,0 900, but this increase did not salts
fy the board, and Yolo was cited to ap-
pear and show cause why its assessment
should not be raised even more.
The inquisition was led by Chairman
Morehouse, who inquired closely as to
the values of Yolo's rich farming and
fruit lands. He followed closely the
inequalities appearing on the assess
ment roll.
The Supervisors were unanimous in
the opinion that there was decrease in
values in the county, variously estima-
ted at from 5 to 10 per cent. The market
for real estate at the present time is
not a criterion, as there is no demand at
all, and it was difficult to sell land at any
price. The only way to reach an esti-
mate of what land is worth is, they
held, to take the profits as basis. On
this in many cases there was not over
Z to 4 per cent. profit on the assessed
value
Equalizer Arnold took Assessor Cham
berlain in charge and proceeded to turn
on the thumb screws" He commenced
in the tule swamps of the Sacramento
and gradually led up to the fertile soils
about Woodland.
Mr.. Chamberlain first responded
promptly as to his reasons for making
figures, but as he approached subdivis-
ions and town lots he hesitated more
than suited the southern equalizer.
Now, is it not a fact" inquired Mr..
Arnold, that the nearer you get to
home the less you know of your assess
ments?'
This lash from Mr.. Arnold's wit was
promptly responded to by Chamberlain,
Who said it was easy enough to assess a
swamp but quite another thing to keep
pace with a city.
1ut Arnold had laid up for the AS
SCISSOR little joker and this he took out
OF his desk. 1t was the report of the
State Bank Commissioners.
Did you ever see the Bank Commits
sioners' report?' he inquired.
Mr.. Chamberlain Thought he had.
Did you know continued Arnold,
that the Bank of Woodland has a cap
ital of over $1,000. .000?"
Il knew it was solid concern" re-
ponded the Assessor.
so il is" said Arnold, smiling, land
on the same day you assessed them for
$50 400 cash and no solvent credits,
they made oath to the Bank Commits
sion that they had on hand SIS, 400 cash
and $500. 900 solvent credits. They had
commercial loans Of Sii3 900, and other
loans Of $4,000. Yes. it's a solid con-
Germ, and will remain so under your
assessments"
Mr.. Chamberlain was sure there was
some mistake.
That's what we think interjected
Chairman Morehouse.
But mean" corrected the Assessor,
that your figures are wrong. / surely
assessed a large amount of solvent
credits
-NOs Npu bAI AiOl lilltf pOSt1 AOlI-
troller Colgan. you sent me these
figures yourself and you should at least
be correct"
The Assessor then took refuge under
the excuse that the bank swore to their
assessment and he could not see that
he was to blame.
You don't mean to say" inquired
Arnold, that you and your Board of
Supervisors viii allow a big institution
like this to escape just taxation, when,
according to your own statements. you
are taxing the farming community for
more than their property is worth
Gentlemen, you are doing a great in
justice to the farmers and fruit grow
ers.
Here is the statement of the Bank
os Yolo. They gave IN to your Assessor
S24, 750 cash and no solvent credits.
They swore to the commissioners they
had $4,000 cash and $4,000 solvent
credits. The Farmers and Mechanics
BANK gave you S19.G00 cash and no
solvent credits. They had $40, 600 cash.
S15, 900 solvent credits and Sl1 900 OF
county money"
Mr.. Chamberlain thought the banks
might explain the discrepancies. He
could not.
The personal property of the county
was gone into, and it was shown that
there was a falling off in wheat esti-
mated at $4,000. and a large amount
in horses and cattle.
Mr.. Sparks was called upon and gave
the board much information from his
experieice as an extensive farmer.
He paid 500 per acre for much of his
land eight years ago. which he could
not nov sell for 500 per acre. The
first fotr years he had farmed in Yolo
he made fair interest on his invest
ment. hut during the last two years he
mad no. made per cent
Befoe taking a recess Mr.. Morehouse
suggested that there was one question
the board had forgotten.
You have been" said the Chairman.
with aave concern. Assessor of Yolo
for tws years. Now. how long
Here the Chairman was Interrupted
by MI Beamer. II object to that
question" he exclaimed. THAT is a