Los Angeles herald., 1909-08-31
.EQUALIZERS OF
STATE DISCUSS
LAND VALUES
RIVERSIDE MET WITH BIG SUR
PRISE YESTERDAY
FIGURES TO SUPPOSED MANILA
BUYER ARE QUOTED
Orange and San Bernardino Counties
Also Heard-Los Angeles Values
viii Be Taken Up at Meeting
to Be Held Today

oI equalization IN obtaining data
to qualify it to make a fair ap-
portionment of the state tax levy was
shown yesterday when the consider
alton of the valuation of Orange, Riv-
erside and San Bernardino counties
was taken up.
The meetings are being held in the
offices of County Assessor E. w. Hop
kins, Franklin and North Spring
streets.
The incident of Importance at yes
terday's session developed when r. S.
Browne, a San Francisco real estate
dealer and special agent of the board,
told of obtaining the much desired
data from Riverside county. Accord
ing to custom a board of assessors
was appointed to get valuations and
submit the same to the state board of
equalization but, for some reason, the
board could not agree and did not
forward a report.
In order to ascertain the facts de-
sired Mr.. Browne was delegated to
visit Riverside county and that he sue
cessfully accomplished his purpose was
demonstrated when w. G. Frasier of
the Riverside Trust company and head
of an English land syndicate in that
district was called to give his esti-
mates of the valuation.
Posed as Buyer from Manila
When the report of the Riverside
board was not Forthcoming Mr..
Browne was detailed to make a spe-
cial report and, posing as a person
from Manila, interested in buying Riv-
erside property, met Mr.. Frasier, who
gave the information that was used
yesterday in obtaining a fair idea of
the Riverside valuation.
Mr.. Browne and Mr.. Frasier had
many lively tits and the Riverside
real estate man apparently was piqued,
when the information and figures that
he gave to Mr.. Browne as a prospec
tive buyer were unfolded.
The appearance of Mr.. Browne was
unexpected, at least to Mr. Frasier,
and the latter was compelled to admit
that he might have put a higher valu-
alton on the property which his syn
dicate controlled than If he knew he
was giving figures to be used by the
state board of equalization.
During the discussion between Mr..
Browne and Mr.. FraSier the fact also
was brought to light that real estate
men, at least Mr.. Frasier, had a spe-
cial price for "tenderfeet," or persons
unacquainted with the country. In
other words the old timers, who were
posted on land values, were given the
rock bottom prices, but the tender
feet" buyers were expected to pay
little extra for their land investments.
May Raise Values
According to the assessors of Riv-
erside county property was valued at
about Sc an acre but, in view of the
report of Browne, 1t is probable that
the state board will think twice be-
fore accepting such a figure.
Although the meeting was har-
monious, there were many amusing in
cidents and Chairman Alexander
Browne explained the difficulties which
beset the board in its attempt to as
certain the correct figures. Mr.. Browne
said
board I have enjoyed but one pleasant
time in Southern California in the
performance of my duty and that was
when l visited Orange and began to
study the valuation. 1t was not known
at the time that l was a member of
the board and, for some time, my work
was easy, but soon l was recognized
and the word was sent about that
Browne of the state board was in the
city 1t was wonderful how the valua-
tion of the property decreased as soon
member of the state board of equali-
cation.
Values Fell Rapidly
Property, that was told was worth
$4,000, dwindled at an excessive rate
and a lot that was worth $4,000,
while I was an unknown visitor, was
worth less than $4,000, when it became
noised about that I was from the
state board.
"The state board seeks to work
fairly and 1t would simplify matters
If the various boards of county asses
sors would work in harmony with us.
We have no desire to discriminate and
all we seek is to properly apportion
the tax levy in all parts of California
when the information which we de-
sire is not Forthcoming we have to
take the matter in our own hands, and
certainly If a number of assessors in
a county can not agree among them
selves it is Hardly possible that they
will acquiesce with our findings"
Orange county was first discussed
yesterday morning and the plan of
the board was to ascertain a standard
price of land with and without fruit
trees. 1t was shown that the orange
trees were assessed higher than the
land on which they grew in Orange
county.
Tried to Strike Average
Although the Orange assessors stated
that land in the county which was
NEST valuable was assessed at $500 an
acre, the members of the state board
replied that they had never seen
record of such high assessment. Some
of the land was said to be valued at
$500 an acre.
The Orange county delegation in ex-
planning this fact stated that an aver
age value had been taken and that,
while one strip of a plot might be
worth $500 an acre. the low value of
the remainder would make an aver
age decidedly less than $500.
The Riverside delegation had its in
ming shortly after Sthe opening of the
afternoon session, and 1t was brought
out that the board appointed to make
a report to the state board had not
forwarded any report The state
board then appointed Special Agent
Browne. who visited the section and
gave a detailed list of figures as he had
received them from Mr. Frasier.
Mr.. Browne did not go as land ap-