The San Francisco call., 1897-07-18
EXPLAINS HIS
OFFICIAL Vote
/
Mr.. Mitchell Makes a
Speech Before the Board
Of Equalization.
Some of Dalton's Assessments
Are Cut and Others Are
Sustained.
The Board Has Only One More Day
Of Official Life and a Lot of
Work in Hand.
OAKLAND OFFICE SAN Francisco CALI

OAKLAND OFFICE SAN FRANCISCO CALI
90S Broadway, July IT,
The feature of the meeting OF the Board
of Equalization to-day was the speech of
Supervisor Mitchell, in which he ex-
planned his position in regard to the as
sessments Before election Mr.. Mitchell
was pressed to sign an agreement that he
would uphold the railroad assessments,
but he refused to do so. Because of this
he has been very severely criticized by his
political enemies.
His explanation is as follows:
At this meeting 1 wish to say few words
concerning my position regarding these assess
ments of railroad properties which are yet TO
be voted upon and also as to my vote on those
applications which have already been dis
posed OF.
voted to grant the three applications pre-
sente6 to this board by certain railroad COM
panies because it was shown by The evidence
that the State Board OF Equalization had
assessed the properties in accordance with
law aud that the assessment made by Mr.. Dali
ton was therefore 4 double assessment and
was improper and illegal.
1 am aware that the purpose of putting those
properties on the assesSment-buok was TO have
the matter get into the courts and a speedy
decision obtained, and I am also aware that
the action OF the city authorities i'll sustaining
Mr.. Dalton's assessment of the same proper
ties in the past will obtain the desired result
if 1t is sincerely desired 10 have this question
speedily determined
| voted to reduce the assessments of the East
Oakland Railway because ii was SHOWN that
the company was absolu tely bankrupt, and in
my judgment, to sustain the figures of the AS
SCISSOR would so add to their burdens as to
hasten such action on the part OF the stock
holders as would seriously inJure and ineon-
venience citizens and property-owners resid-
ing on the lines of this company who are
benefited by the operation of this road and
who are accommodated and their property
made more valuable by its operation
My vote upon the Piedmont Gable Company
lines SHOWN also by evidence to be in al
most bankrupt condition, was 10 relieve the
stockholders from too great burden a0d to
avoid anything that might lure the opera
tion OF any portion OF the line and thus iu-
convenience and injure the property rights Of
citizens and taxpayers benefited by their con-
! tinued operation.
The minutes OF this board will show, how
ever, that where was satisfied that the fig
ures OF the Assessor were reasonable aud fair
! that voted to sustain such assessments.
Iendeavored also IN voting upon the Oak
| land Consolidated Company 10 be as equitable
| and Just as possible.
| do not criticise the motives of the Assessor.
He mas undoubtedly scled conscien tiously,
but do not consider his Judgment infailble.
We have been by law vested with power and
1t is our sworn duty 10 pass upon his assess
ments, and where our judgment is opposed 10
his and we consider thai he has erred, it is our
duty to correct his assessments, and this i
have borne IN mind al all times.
NOW, as 10 the OJler assessments OF the rail-
road companies to be yet considered, / wish TO
say that nave taken pains and have spent
considerable time in ascertaining the valu a.
tion of these properties; that in many in
stances the figures given by the Assessor seem
reasonable and fair, and shall vote TO sus-
tain them. In other instances am satisfied
there should be a reduction made-not,
tn hough, TO the figures asked by the railroad
companies-and shall propose that such val
uations shall be p aced upon these properties
as will be deemed by a majority of This board
nrar raas Xad
the Assessor. AnC IN doing so | shall be act
ing, as have endeavored III the past, fear-
lessIy, impartially and conscientiously.
AS to the balance of the railroad assess
ments the application for reductions on
the West Oakland yards and improv
ments was denied, as was the application
in regard to the Alameda marsh property.
The Oakland Waterfront Company's as.
sessment was sustained.
The Wet Oakland mole was reduced
from $3.50, 600 to $115,000 The improve
M rents from $4,000 to $12 700.
The vote was unanimou~ 10 reduce the
narrow-gauge mole from $45, 900 10 $25, ,000
The application tor reduction on the
Newark branch was denied, and the Ala
media Point property was reduced from
SIS, 900 to $4,000. The Telegrapn-avenu
iine was not reduced. but the San Pablo
avenue line was reduced from $83 225 10
$47, ,000
The Oakland, San Leandro and Hay
wards roads application was taken up
and each piece of track was discussed
separately. The board granted reduc-
ZION to figures a little higher than those
on which taxes were paid last year. Sec,
retary Stone testified that the road lost
$40, 600 asst year, having earned but $i20-
900. white the operating expenses We're
$4,000.
The property of the Piedmont Baths
CompaDy was reduced $4,000.
The legal life of the board expires at
midnight on Monday ana there Is much
yet TO be done, but the members declare
that they DO not think it will be necessary
TO ask for an extension OF time from the
State Board.