The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-09-02

pieces Of property by banks. Mr.. Dalton
let it be known that he does not think
very highly of some of the losses made by
the Union Savings Bank He thinks more
favorably of the Central Bank people and
in the case of some losses made personally
by the late ]. West Martin. DR.. Pardee
was inclined to think they would repre-
sent about the real value of the property.
The Equalizers sprung one record of a
DEED and mortgage too many. 1t referred
to transfer of the Patterson ranch,
which had been mortgaged for $45,267 and
was assessed at $25, 900. Dalton was pre-
pared for this, and he played trump
card. He filed an affidavit with the board
from Attorney 7. c. Hurley, swearing
that the ranch was originally mortgaged
for $4,000, and that the balance was for
accrued interest, and that the recent sale
was for $4,000, for which sum the entire
mortgage of $45,267 was wiped out
The Contra Costa Water Company''s as
Sessment was taken up. Beamer referred
to a sworn statement made to the City
Council that the plant was worth $1,000
Gee. The total assessment is over $1,000
900, and Dalton said that the plant
could be duplicated for the assessment to-
day. Toland asked if the Oakland Coun-
ell fixed rates on the company's figures,
and Dalton informed him that it depended
entirely on how much of the City Council
the corporation owned. These references
to a corporation being able to dictate to
a City Council seemed something new and
strange to Lou Brown, and he sought
more light. DR.. Pardee and MIR. Dalton
gave 1t to him. .
That's the joker that brought me
here" said the doctor.
The deeds referred to two pieces OF
property on San Pablo and Telegraph av-
enUes. The doctor had executed deed
of trust to Isaac L. Requa for $4,000 to
the. properties. They were assessed Tor
What would you sell them for, doc
tor?" asked Beamer.
81 would not take less than 100000 for
them does
say they are worth that.
Are they worth as much now as they
were two years ago.?
They are"
That is the first time we have been able
to discover piece of property that has
not deprecated in Oakland"
Il think that is about right, said
Dalton
but you may have made a mistake
said Toland.
mo. ! have not
But you surely do not think you are
! infallible?" retorted Toland.
DIR. Pardee's homestead was next taken
up This is the property at Tenth and
Castro streets, where the doctors father
lived q long and useful life. This is as
sessed for SIS 600 and DR.. Pardee said that
although the place is priceless to him and
he could set no cash value on 1t, he be-
lieved $50 900 would be a fair appraisement
as the house was built in 1868 The board
seemed to be quite satisfied with MI
Dalton's figures on the doctors property
Lou Brown read several reductions that
had been made on the very best business
property in the heart of Oakland, where
trade is rapidly increasing. Not a single
increase was found and Dalton again re-
ferred to picked" assessments.
II take positive exception to your man
ner. sir; let us have no badgering," said
Toland.
Then Dr. Pardee whispered to Toland:
you fellows get hold of few trifles
and raise hades.'
The Centennial Hotel assessment
brought out some more history. 1t is as
sessed for SIS, $50. Records show that it
was mortgaged for $50 900, then for $50 900
! and finally sold to a syndicate for Sl20,UO0.
Mr.. Dalton said he had no idea that a
syndicate paid any such sum. He then
| recited the case of the Albany Hotel
transfer three years ago, where the deeds
showed a consideration of $165OOO and on
which $4,000 was borrowed. A row among
the heirs later produced the sworn teSti-
mony in court that the property had ac-
tually changed hands for $4,000. Dalton
said he believed the Centennial deal was
just such another case.
Finally Mr.. Beamer produced a set of
bids that he had received from Washing
ton. 1t consisted of thirty-three bids on
pieces of Oakland realty offered for a
Postoffice site. All of these bids are about
twice the assessed values. Toland said
that as these bidders were anxious to sell
1t was fair to presume that they repre-
scented the least cash price they would
accept.
Dalton said that such figures were no
criterion as everybody considered 1t
necessary to try to rob the Government.
He said that mortgage and appraisements
as at present manipulated were very lit
tie guide to actual values. After a con-
! Guiding disagreement over this statement
the long session concluded and Alameda
! County was taken under Amusement.