The San Francisco call., 1899-07-18
FAITHFUL TO THEIR PLEDGES.

as Board OF Equalization, and the results are
before the public to be Judged on their merits.
All that the people desired and justice calls 1or mas
not been done but none the less sufficient has been
accomplished TO afford ground for more satisfaction
than has been derived from the work OF any previous
Board OF Supervisors within the memory OF this gene
ration
The issue before the Equalizers was raised by the
assessments made by Assessor Dodge. These were
found to be unfair and inequitabe, inasmuch as the
property OF many small holders had been assessed too
high and that OF the larger corporations such as the
street railway companies, Spring Valley Water Com
pany the Telephone Company and Wells-Fargo COM
pany, had been assessed too low
In view OF the importance OF the issue and the COM
plexity OF the problems involved the Republican
members OF the board sought obtain ten days more
time Tor equalization Their efforts in that direction
were defeated by the dilatory tactics OF the Demo
cratic minority. They were therefore compelled TO
complete the work yesterday and 10 do the best that
was possible within the time allowed
That much OF explanation IS due enable the pub
lie to understand why there has been shorcomlng IN
the work OF equalization, and to FIX the blame upon
the parties who are responsible for It.
The results on the whole are good. A considerable
number OF reductions were made in the OF small
propertv-holders whose assessments had been fixed
too high by Assessor Dodge. The assessment OF the
Market Street Railway Company was raised 100000.
and that OF the Oakland Water Company 100000,
over the estimates Of the Assessor. Efforts to raise
the assessments OF the Sutter Street Railway Com
panv the Telephone Company Wels-Fargo Com
pary and others defeated by the means we have
stated. The people, therefore have the satisfaction
of seeing that much has been done toward honest
equalization OF property for taxation, and OF knowing
who is to blame for the failure to accomplish more.
l+T,,- do nj
ton the Supervisors have once more demonstrated
fidelity 10 their campaign pledges and TO the true in
terests OF the public which has been, unfortunately,
rare in the history OF San Francisco politics In sew
era instances the loyalty OF the board in this has
been maintained against such opposition as 10 deserve
TO be recalled to public attention.
Briefly stated the board has kept its pledge to reduce
water rates and gas rates both for the city and the pr
vate consumer It defeated the scheme OF the Market
Street Railway TO grab franchises that would have IN
ficted wrong upon the community; 1t has closed
IngIeside Park and rid the community OF the scan
dal the disgrace and the ruin that attended the opera
ton OF that gambling racetrack; II has now made
more equitable equalization OF taxable property than
ever before known in the city and against the oppo-
sition OF thousand adverse forces has held firmly to
the pledge to keep the OF taxation within the dol
lar limit on q valuation OF S35oO0o,ooo.
For these good results the people OF San Francisco
are indebted directly the majority OF the Super
visors themselves but indirectly 10 the Republican
party which nominated them elected them and has
upheld them in the performance OF their dus. The
record Is one OF which the party can be proud
Two years ago Mayor Phean was given permission
TO select ticket OF Supervisors for the Democratic
party. and by reason OF popular confidence in him
majority OF the ticket was elected The results were
disastrous TO every interest OF the municipality The
record Of the Phean Board OF Supervisors was about
the worst in our annals. 1t was permeated with cor
rupton and il perpetrated almost every form OF dis
honest jobbery known to politics The people prohJed
BY the lesson and the late election ten Republican
Supervisors were chosen and but two Democrats.
The results are now before the people. They speak
ior themselves The board has kept its pledges faith
fully so Jar and It Is safe to say VIII continue do
L the dollar limit be maintained when the tax
levy IS finally disposed OF il will be only because the
men who asked the pledge come forward and request
in the interest OF the municipality that il be aside
TO whatever extent may be necessary for the general
welfare.
Thus far at any rate, the Republicans OF the board
have been true TO all their obligations and merit from
the people the commentator, Good and faithful
servants, well done