Los Angeles herald., 1907-07-16
LoUCKS is NOT BASHFUL
BEFORE BOARD
ASSESSOR is UPHELD BY TAX
PAYER
Supervisors Are Urged to Give Prompt
Attention to Assessment OF
Franchises, but Prefer
to Delay

Dieraqarding the wishes of a crowded
roomful of taxpayers who had assembled
to hear of the final disposition OF the Pc
titions for reduction of franchise assess
ments and despite the protest OF county
Assessor Ben Ward, who assured them
that they could easily finish before mid
night the board of supervisors at $3.50
last night. on motion of Eldridge voted
unanimously to adjourn until O'Clock
this morning.
The early part of the evening was taken
up with the reading of the allowances
made in individual cases, which were
granted with exceptions.
One supervisor moved that all small re-
ductions as read be allowed as corrected
Eidridge quickly seconded the motion.
and on roll call the motion was carried
unanimously.
Then Eldridge arose and in earnest
tones asked that further business be
postponed until today, arguing the board
had worked hard during the past two
weeks. and he felt in need of rest.
Therefore, Mr. Chairman, I move we
adjourn
Ward Objects to Postponement
Gentlemen" objected Ward, who
seemed taken by surprise. 81 am sure we
can get through tonight, and | would
like to have this business settled -
Second that motion" interrupted Will
son. eve have not much TO do tomorrow,
and this business can just as well go over.
Let's go home.
''Mr. Chairman. I move you that we
adjourn" insisted Eldridge. while Ward
got busy among the individual members
of the board with a private talk. After
asking Manning and Alexander to vote
against the motion, he tried to persuade
Chairman Patterson, but was interrupted
by Robert G. Loucks, who asked to be
heard, saying that he could not appear
before the board today on account OF
other business.
'.Well, go ahead" said Alexander set
ting back in his chair with resigned
air; I'VE might as we'll hear what he
has to say"
Gentlemen, 1 want first to thank you
for this courtesy Mr.. Loucks began,
when interrupted by Wilson, who said:
who is 1t we are to hear from?
think we ought to know your name, and
why you are here"
Loucks Talks Plainly
My name is Loucks," answered the
speaker, land 1 am here as private citi-
zen. formerly resided in Pomona, have
lived in your county twenty-four years,
and have been interested in Los Angeles
for the last ten years
7 don't want 70 talk about any particu-
lar case. but do wish 10 protest against
any reduction Of corporation franchise
assessments ! have no jokes to tickle
you- ralztss with nothing but law and
fac=x4
Fcr four rsars I have interested my
zsas IN Law c5zcerrtns quasi corporations.
and zz convinced that they are not
aEzss5 Is they sAoszl1 he They represent
1fi1rse-E.5lz-uas OF Ssven-=ighths OF the
Vzml1n gz ahs e,1wry, yet they come
hare. End sBa false reports To mtslesd you
so Ghan FVU VIII not support the county
HsEesz1r-
Why Is II th4t II January they tell Us
rhsE THAR property = vzIued way up high
hoard q sl1pzrvisors sitting as an equal
trztloa board and pretend that their fran
ohisss are worth nothing?
They should De compelled TO file their
reports with the assessor. not with the
equalization board which should only
correct clerical error. If the corpora
tions are not assessed you place the bur
den upon my shoulders and on the shoul-
ders of every other poor man in the
county.
XIII them now. so they cannot go be-
fore the city trustees. They are organ
ized now. and if you are true TO your duty
TO the people you can put an end to their
practice of coming here at the eleventh
hour to ask for a reduction of taxes
merely by insisting that they file full and
complete reports. They do not want fair
play. They are prone to be dishonest or
they would bring together their rate val.
uation and their taxation.
Until they do that, tell them they
have not come with clean hands, and
that they will have to make fight in the
open, as in a court of law.
Let us be rid of this organized sys-
tenn of getting special privileges, of get
ting things that 1 could not ask for nor
get. The district attorney has approved
this system Of valuation, and 1 hope you
will support the assessor.
Let us be rid, once for all, of this
gang of pestlferous pirates
Gentlemen, I hope you will act only