The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-02-04
ARMSTRONG GROVE
PRICE IS REDUCED
lie Baron Now Willing to Ac=
cept 100000 for Big
Redwood Forest
Believed That Patriotic Citizen
Who Offered Property for
$l25,O0O Will Make Profit
Especial Dispatch. TO The Call

CALL HEADQUARTERS, CHAMBER
OF COMMERCE BUILDING, SACRA-
MENTO, Feb. 3.-Although maintaining
Armstrong grove of redwood trees is
worth $25O.O00, and that, inspired by
patriotism, he is offering it to the state
for the paltry sum of $4,000, III. M.
LIE Baron has agreed to let the COM
monwealth have the property for $780,
900. This fact came to light today,
when it was learned that quiet little
dinner, arranged by LIE Baron and at
tended only by legislators and him
self. had resulted in the chopping off
of one-fifth of the price originally
asked of the state, or saving OF
$4,000 This was not according to
program, but LIE Baron found that the
assembly forestry committee would not
consider the proposition of making him
a gift of the states money, and was
forced to agree to the lower price. He
submitted with a poor grace
STILL MAKES FAIR PROFIT
1t is believed that if the state takes
the property at 100000 the patriotic
citizen will still be realizing very
fair profit on his investment, as 1T is
estimated IHdI the SIONc VIII MT SOcS
LIE Baron more than $4,000 w. B..
Griffiths, W. r. Flint and w. B. Whit
ney, members of the assembly commit
tee on forestry, this evening made
known the facts connected with the
hearings held on the Armstrong forest
purchase.
I'VE would not consider the price of
s125,000 when the matter came before
the committee" said Assemblyman Flint,
~ Of he IN forestry
I'VE realized that the Armstrong grove
would be a valuable acquisition for the
state, but thought that 100000 would
be a fair price. LIE Baron came to the
city and invited several members of
the committee, a. we'll as Senator Price,
who introduced the proposed appropria
ton In the senate, and myself, to dinner
We discussed the matter of purchasing
the woods He was at first obstinate
in regard to the price, but finally agreed
to SIP, 500. We would not agree to
this and he left in. an angry mood.
The committee was later informed, how
ever, that the state could have the
grove for $4,000 / personally believe
that this would be a good purchase"
Other members of the committee
agreed with the chairman in regard to
what happened at the dinner.
From data which I have gathered
hHoW tndt MT. LIE baron VIII not make
such an extraordinary profit If he sells
at 100000 said Whitney.
COST ABOUT $4,000
He has agreed to pay Mrs. Elizabeth
Jones $4,000 for her half interest in
the grove and I am informed has al
ready purchased the half interest of
her brother for about the same amount
which would make the cost to him
at least $4,000. The fact that he
would not be paid until July 1, 1910,
also should be taken into consideration.
and he should be allowed a fair profit
l believe the grove would be valuable
acquisition at 100000, but would not
pay one cent more
senator Price, who fathered the hill
appropriating money for the purchase
or the woods, said tonight:
am not, never was and never will
be financially interested in the Arm
strong grove to the extent of one mem
ny, and insinuations that l have intro
duced this measure on such a motive
are unjust and not founded on fact The
people of my district wanted. the grove
preserved and 1t was because of their
Endorsement that I introduced the
measure. / have no positive knowledge
OF Mr. lie Baron's dealings in obtaining
possession of the grove, but I know
that he must have paid at least sSO000
Tor the property. l was one of the
legislators who stood out against hin,
when we were comforting on the price,
and made LIE Baron come down to
100000"