Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1909-06-10
OWNERS OBJECT
TO ASSESSMENT
EAST FOURTH STREET RESI-
DENTS IN SESSION
Speakers Declare Proposed Action by
CITY to Be courage on Residents
of Respectable Cons
munIty"

The property owners of East Fourth
street held an Indignation meeting last
evening at st. Mary'S hall to protest
against an assessment levied for the
widening and Strengthening OF the
thoroughfare from Boyle avenue 10
Third and Alameda streets. The propo-
sition as defined in the city ordnance
of intention is to remove several brick
buildings at Boyle avenue and Fourtn
street and to connect Fourth with
Third thus making 1t one of the prln-
cipal streets in that section.
The citizens who do not live in the
district affected felt that an assess
ment levied against them and which
will fall due July is an injustice, and
will fight the case in the courts. 10
this end q committee, of which b. A.
Montee is chairman, has been appoint
ed for the purpose OF raising IunoS 10
employ an attorney.
The improvement was proposed about
four years ago, but nothing definite
was done for three years. When the
residents on East Fourth street ascer-
tanned about a year ago THAI an as
sessment of nearly 5000 for each 5O-foot
lot would be levied against the prop
erty owners of the most easterly part
of the street they appealed to their
councilman, E. l.. Blanchard. They
from time to time and also in obtain
ing a reduction of 80 per cent in the
assessment against the property at the
eastern end of the street and reduc-
ton of 20 per cent in the part more
vitality effected, which would make the
average assessment about S150.
Property Owners Object
The property owners feel. however,
that they are not being treated justly.
and propose to fight the issue. More
than $500 has been raised for this pur-
pose. There is much feeling against
Councilman Blanchard, whom many OF
the citizens think broke his pledge to
endeavor to protect their rights. 1t has
become known that many persons prior
to the proposed street work bought
property in that section at low figure,
and 1t is believed by the Fourth street
owners that they did this with a knowl-
edge of the contemplated widening and
Strengthening of Fourth street.
Following are several of the property
owners in that section of the street TO
be improved who purchased the prop
erty Immediately before the proposed
work was made public: e. Il. Blan-
chard, d. N. McGarey, j. s. Allen and
w. H. Workman.
The citizens feel that If the assess
ment were reduced about one-half or
the present estimate and that II the
property owners on Third street and
other cross streets affected were like
wise assessed an agreement could be
reached. The property owners also
state that no notices of street improve
ment, as is provided by law, were at
any time posted along the street, and
that for some time they were entirely
unaware of the action of the council.
When this became known petition
was Immediately circulated protesting
against the assessment and many Sig
natures were obtained.
The meeting last evening was for the
purpose of raising additional funds and
to discuss the matter from a judicial
standpoint. John o. Sullivan was elect
ed chairman. Nearly 800 was raised
and several speeches were made re-
garding what was termed ian outrage
against a respectable community"
Says Citizens viii Win
Attorney William ]. Hanlon spoke OF
the various aspects of the case, say
ing that in all probability the citizens
stood an excellent chance of winning.
He has been retained by the Wolfskill
estate, against which there are pend
ing $1700 in assessments. John L. Flem-
ing was another speaker.
1t was stated by Chairman Montee
that the Salt Lake railroad is in SYM
pathy with the attitude the property
owners had taken and would subscribe
considerable money in their behalf.
There was some talk of instituting
recall for Councilman Blanchard. but
no definite action was taken.
Another meeting will be held next
Monday evening at ST. Mary's hall,