The San Francisco call., 1897-08-24
BUSINESS
MEN FAVOR
FAIR TAXES.
State Equalization Board
May Be Asked to Prevent
a Raise.
"CALL'S" SUGGESTION POPULAR.
Property Of Decreased Worth
Assessed Above It's Income
Value.
IN CONSEQUENCE OWNERS PROTEST..
Declare That Rates Are Higher in
This City Than Elsewhere in
the Union.
IN CONSEQUENCE OWNERS PROTEST..
Declare That Rates Are Higher in
This City Than Elsewhere in
the Union.

Without an exception the representa-
tive business men who have so far been
seen indorse THE CALLS suggestion that
the taxpayers appear before the State
Board of Equalization with the object in
view of preventing a raise in the City 8
assessment. The idea of having special
committee of the Board of Supervisors ap-
pear before the equalization board in be-
half of the City is also looked upon with
favor.
The general impression seems to be that
if business nen and taxpayers would
watch their interests more closely and
cease to leave them in the hands of par
ties who are only interested in their own
affairs taxes would be paid in proportion
to the commercial value.
Considerable comment is made concern
ing the taxes paid on property which now
produces but from one-third to one-half Of
the amount of rent collected but few
years ago. The impression that such prop
erty is being assessed higher than the in
come or the value of the property war
rants calls forth bitter protestation.
S. Sachs of Sachs Bros & Co. spoke of
the high rate of taxes already being paid
throughout the City. He said: "Argu-
ments and not threats must be laid before
the Board OF Equalization, and splendid
medium for the purpose is THE CALL
heartily indorse the movement, and hope
that the result will be not only beneficial
10 the heavy property owners, but to the
taxpayers at large. Property values are
assessed as high or higher than they were
five years ago, while the rates are proper
tionately lower. This is one OF the main
reasons why the matter should be cor
ected. The tax rates are higher here than
IN any other part of the Union, and the
reason for this has always been source
o., wonder to me. The impression that
tn City has the wealth of the coast may
account for IL to certain extent but the
interior parts of the State cannot get along
without us and vice versa. We should
show fight against this outrage, and the
result may be beneficial, but when the
taxpayers remain in the background and
do or say nothing, what can be expected ?
II am willing to pay taxes on four or
five million dollar bonds issued by the
City for general Improvements, but the
idea. OF having to pay general taxes on
property which is assessed far above the
sellin price or the price which could be
collected at a forced or auction sale is
rather discouraging 10 me. l nope the
good WORK will go on
Mr.. Goldberg of Gold berg, Bowen & Co.
said: 81 most assuredly indorse the
movement of THE CALL in this matter.
am now paying taxes on property in the
outside lands blocks which amounts tc
more, taken from an assessment accord.
ing to valuation standpoint, than the
property is actually worth in the marker
to-day. Property is going. down, down
down, and the taxes are rapidly going the
other way and there seems no help for it.
! recently sold some fats on California
street which were actually eaten up by
taxes. l firmly believe that 1 paid taxes
there and in other places on property q
per cent above the market valuation.
snow is the time to make a decided