Los Angeles herald., 1909-04-20
EQUALIZATION
BOARD AT WORK
MEETS WITH LOS ANGELES
REALTY OFFICIALS
TOURING STATE FOR DATA ON
ASSESSMENT METHODS
Appropriation Results in investigation
Which May Mean More Equi-
table and Systematic
Taxation

In order to obtain an equitable meth
cd of assessing property in the Varl-
Gus counties of California the state
board of equalization is touring the
state, and yesterday afternoon met IN
session with the Los Angeles realty
board in the latters quarters IN the
Security building.
For many years the apportionment
of county taxes and the valuation as
sessments have been made in manner
that has caused constant disagreement
Hitherto the state board OF equallza-
tion has been without the SuIncieill
data. to perform its work, but by TAX
ing IN the question with Governor Gill
left a small appropriation was secured
which enabled the board to make tour
Of investigation. All the principal
cities of the state will be visited. and
conferences held with the realty ooaras,
this being decided as the best avail
able method of obtaining an lihparlidi
property valuation.
The following members of the state
board were present yesterday after
noon: Alexander Brown, chairman,
stockton: j. Harry Scott San Fran
cisco; r. E. Collins, Redding; Jeff NC
Elvaine, San Bernardino; A. B. Nye,
comptroller and ex-officio member; L.
M. Eby, Sacramento, secretary Oh the
board.
Move is Important
Chairman Brown outlined the pur-
pose of the meeting. He stated that
the tour of the board of equalization
was an important one and the hrst op-
portunity offered for gathering data
on assessment methods. He admitted
that the present system is faulty and
causes disagreement that led to the
claims being constantly made that one
county is forced to shoulder more than
its rightful percentage of the state
tax levy. Governor Gillett became IN
terested in the question, and by his
cooperation finances were secured TO
enable a tour through the state that
local conditions of assessing property
might be studied.
Mr.. Brown declared that the realty
boards of the cities were chosen for
consultation because through them
more intelligent conception or exist
ing valuations could be obtained. The
chairman explained that Sacramento
was first visited and experiments tried
which proved successful. Certain pieces
of property, both in and outside the
city. were named and appraised by
committees appointed by the realty
board. The results obtained were graf
flying. The idea of the board, he
stated was not to establish new
standard of assessment, but to check
city and county assessors so that as
sessments may be equalized. The idea
of the board is to treat all counties
alike, that just apportionment of the
state tax may be ascertained.
In Los Angeles and the cities where
the work has been taken up the board
considered no speculative property and
nothing but new improved property
will be used in striking an average val
uation.
In Los Angeles county there are
twenty-eight cities, and Los Angeles
represents at present rs per cent of
the valuation.
The idea of the board is to lower the
tax rate If possible and to increase the
valuation in order to lower the rate.
May Lower Tax Rate
"Homeseekers." said Mr. Brown,
generally are frightened away by an
excessive and high tax rate. On this
account it is planned to decrease the
rate, and a just and impartial valua-
tion assessment will be an aid in OBJ
tanning a reduction"
Comptroller Nye stated that it is a
usual complaint that some counties
are taxed out of proportion to others.
To have the three largest counties in
California assessed on an equal basis,
he stated, was the aim of the board.
Progress to this effect was made last
year, but more strenuous methods will
be employed to accomplish the result
this year.
The Los Angeles realty board will
work with the state board and appoint
committees to appraise properties in
and about Los Angeles in order that
an average ratio may be determined.
The realty board, realizing the impor-
tance of the movement, will work
without definite compensation, and the
work will require several weeks. The
board OF equalization will remain in
Los Angeles for several days, gather
ing further data and studying the
methods of the local assessor.