Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-06-12
ARE OPPOSED TO
TAX AMENDMENT
REALTY MEN MAY COOPERATE
AGAINST MEASURE
G. M. oIFFEN EXPLAINS BILL AS
A CORPORATE SCHEME
In Annual Address President Parish
Declares Board Members. Are
Ready to Fight Any Nec-
essary Battles

, At a meeting of the Los Angeles re-
atty board held yesterday afternoon at
the Westminster hotel, G. M. Giffen
known as senate constitutional amend
ment No. l." which provides for the
payment to the state instead of the
cities and counties OF taxes by certain
stipulated corporations such as rail-
roads, street car and sleeping car COM
panies, express and telegraph compa-
MES. Giffen explained the proposed
reform measure as a concerted scheme
on the part of the corporate few to
villify, rob and browbeat the masses
He urged that the realty board put
forth effort to defeat it, No vote has
yet been taken, however, and it is
therefore impossible to know what ac-
ton the board will take.
The proposed amendment provides
| for the reform of taxation in Califor-
nia," drafted in accordance with the
recommendations of the state COM
mission on revenue and taxation, CON-
posed of Governor Gillett, Senators j
B. Curtin and M. l.. Ward, Assembly
men H S. G. Mccartney, E. f. Tread
we'll and Carl C. P1ehn. The amend
ment was adopted by the legislature
March 9, 1907, and is to be voted on by
According to instructions
1t is explained that the amendment
provides that corporations shall pay a
percentage on their gross earnings to
the state and be exempt from city and
county taxes. There would be COM
mission comprising four persons, to be
elected by the people, to sit in judg-
ment over the corporations, to assess
and levy the taxes according to instruc-
tions These taxes would range from
to per cent of the franchise.
Giffen pointed out that such an
amendment would work an injustice
on the people and in opposition to the
interests and advancement of real es-
tae. 1t would allow the favored" to
work with greater ease than hereto
fore.
o. E. Parish, president of the realty
board, delivered his annual address
from which it night be CLEANED that the
realty board as body was ready when
necessary to fight this or any other
measure believed to be aimed at the
vitals of the best business and soclal
interests. In the course of his remarks
Mr. Parish said:
ct deem the present time propitious
for board members to stand together
work with zeal to adding new mem
bers to the organization, and for con-
trolling matters relative to the busl-
ness. by legislation and otherwise. espe-
cially of a semi-public nature, such as
appraisals and denunciations of FRAUD
and Misrepresentation.
To Block Dangerous Bills
1.-THE State Realty federation, Of
| which we are members, is of grea1
value, especially as to any needed
legislation concerning the real estate
business, for any laws that may bt
passed will affect all real estate mel
| of the state, and it is necessary tina
| the local organizations be united into
a state organization, thereby being
able to present a united front before
the necessary bodies to acquire such
legislation, and at the same time to be
in a position to block any dangerous
bills or legislation detrimental to the
interests of our business; and the
method now in vogue with the state
federation of EXPOSING fraudulent ad-
vertising and the sale of worthless land
Is of UNREASONABLE value. l believe
the realty board was formed for and to
assist financially in any honest method
that might be suggested or advised by
it's members.
1--WE are organized, prepared and are
ready to fight any battle that may be
deemed necessary, and l trust in the
next twelve months we may accomplish
much good"