The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-07-18
Alameda's Assessor Is Too In
quisitive for the San Le-
andre Banker.
FAITH IN THE RAILROAD.
If Their Figures Are False Mr.. Dalton
Should Go After Them, Not
the State Board.
OAKLAND orr1cE SAN FnANc1sco CA11,l

OF EQUALIZATION to-day. MT. Morenouse |
came to Oakland to explain how the State J
board assessed railroad property. He did |
not do so, and did not seem to have a very |
clear idea of how it was done, but he gave |
his testimony, and with the help OF Black |
Ryan of the Southern Pacific he attempted |
to give Mr.. Dalton some lessons IN assess |
ing. He also mildly upbraided the Super |
visors and then left.
When the railroad matter came Up Mr.. |
Morehouse testified that he could not tell
the exact number of miles OF railroad APP
portioned to Alameda County, but he
knew that only the main tracks were as
sessed by the State board.
MI Dalton read the law upon the ques-
ton and asked Mr.. Morehouse if ne inter
preted the section read to mean single or
double track.
Morehouse replied that it cut no figure.
He thought that he was subpenaed to tell
what had been done, not to interpret the
law.
Mr.. Dalton said he would refer to what
they had done. He asked again about the
apportionment.
Mr.. Morehouse explained to the MEM
bers of the board that the apportionment
was made solely upon the length OF the
main track. Counties did not gain or lose
anything on the length of their sidings.
Alameda County, with it's forty miles OF
siding, is apportioned no more miles in
the apportionment than Slskiyou, without
any.
Mr.. Dalton then asserted that the
Berkeley branch had not been assessed by
the State board. Mr.. Morehouse said he
knew nothing about that and said that
sidetracks were added to the value of the
road Just as was rolling-stock. "a
thousand miles Of track said he, sis not
assessed as high without any siding as if it
had it. We accept the mileage as returned
TO US by the railroad company. If they
make false returns they should be prose-
cuted."
Morehouse further declared that the
State board had never had dispute
with the Assessor over the assessment of
the Seventh-street local line. That asser-
ton has been made by the newspapers and
he wanted to correct it.
at is generally known to this board, u
SAID Mr.. Morehouse, that the State board
has assessed that line for years past, and
the railroad has paid its taxes"
"And refused to pay the taxes in this
county," suggested Dalton.
eyes, believe there is something of the
kind" admitted Morehouse.
"And it was sold by the county for its
REFUSAL" persisted Dalton.
Eyes, l believe the State board assess ii
now" said Morehouse, looking for his
Political Code. 1--WE have assessed it be-
cause we believed that under the law it was
our privilege"
Dalton asked if the State board would
assess property if returns were made to
them which were not within their juris-
diction. Morehouse refused to answer,
but asserted emphatically that all of the
main tracks in Alameda County were as
sessed and that the returns made of mile
age were correct. If Dalton could find
more mileage his fight was with the rail
road company.
G. L. Arnold, another mem Der of the
State board, was then called. In answer
to questions he said he depended upon
the statements made by the railroads. In
Los Angeles County thirty miles of track
was assessed on the returns made by the
company where there was no track.
Supervisor Talcott said he thought Ala.
media County had lost some miles of rail
road, and wanted to know if the mem berl
OF the State board could help him find it
Mr.. Ryan asked Mr.. Arnold what b,
would do if he received notice that tn,
County Assessor had assessed the Seventh
street line. He believed that he would de-
pend upon the Attorney-Generai's advice
Mr.. Morehouse, in answer to the same
question, said: 1--WE had lust such no
tice last year, but we made the assessment
Just the same, and would do so again thi,
year" He admitted that Alameda County
had more legal miles of railroad than ap
portioned to them by the State board.
Mr.. Morehouse-Do you intend to as
sess two lines of track as tworoads?
Mr.. Dalton-I intend to assess it ac-
cording to the law.
Mr.. Morehouse-That does not answer
the question. Am l to infer that yor
are
Mr.. Dalton-Don't infer anything, Mr.
Morehouse, I'll follow the law.
After the noon recess Mr.. Coghlan, clerl
OF the State board, was present anC
put on the stand. Supervisor Talcot
started off first to find out why there wa:
no index for the assessment rolls, and
asked Mr.. Coghlan concerning it. Ht
read the law and SAID that, according t.
the reading of it, it was the Assessor duty
to provide it.
Mr.. Morehouse said it was intended By
the State board that the Tax Collector ant
Assessor should confer and decide upoI
the form and report to the State Board
which would adopt it.
Assessor Dalton agreed with him ant
said he and he Tax Collector had agreed
upon form, but it would not be of am
use to the board, as it did not contain tn,
page of the assessment books.
Supervisor Talcott quoted law to shoV
that the Assessor must preface an inde1
giving the names, addresses and pag
upon which it appeared. He did no
know who was at fault, but some one was
and the public and board had to suffer a
aconsequence.
Chairman Bailey asked Mr. Mnrehons