Los Angeles herald., 1909-08-25
TRUSTEES SLASH
WILMINGTON TAX
RATE ONE-FlFTH
MAYOR BRENNAN VENTS HIS
SPITE ON CITY
FINAL MEETING OF THE BOARD
SURPRISES CITIZENS
Antl-c consoIldatlonst Urges Reduction
of Levy and Then Refuses to
Vote Money to AdVer-
tise City

HH official end and the CONNER
cial beginning of Wilmington
- were crowded together at the
final meeting of the board of trustees
of that city last night The president
of the board, J. NJ. Brennan, presided.
To him and TO Trustee Johnson it was
something like a funeral, for both
fought against consolidation as con-
sstently as they kIRw how
They put in a last whack at it last
night when, with the aid of Trustee
Silya's vote, they reduced the tax levy
20 per cent from the rate that has ex-
listed since Wilmington was incorpo-
rated. 1t was done as a final slam
against Los Angeles, much to the dis
gust of Trustees opp and Breen and
f. S. Cary and D. r. Woods of the
Wilmington chamber of commerce,
who wanted to see Wilmington go in
with a good showing.
Difference Is $4,000
The reduction was made by slicing
the tax levy from 10 cents to 60 cents
and makes a difference of about S300O
Los Angeles will not lose, as it means
merely that that much money needed
for Wilmington's local work and i'm
provement will not be available.
Trustee Brennan is hoping to move
to Whittier, so he said: I'VE have no
assurance that this money raised here
will be spent in Wilmington by Los An
geles," and urged his colleagues to cut
the tax rate. Trustee Opp pleaded the
necessity for street improvement, as
did citizens present not members OF
the board, but L think a 60-Cent gen.
eral tax is sufficient" said Brennan,
and johnson and Silva voted with him.
The levy at Wilmington is based on
a low valuation. Property on Canal
street which is held at $4,000 is as
sessed at $1,000. Another corner on the
business street, listed at $4,000, Is as
sessed at $500. The revenue on the Co.
cent rate will be about $1,000, while at
the rate heretofore prevailing it would
be about $4,000.
Brennan Is Reversible
When the proposition to devote 5000
for advertising Wilmington came be-
fore the board Trustee Brennan faced
about. I'VE have materially reduced
the tax levy" said he, "and we must
be careful not to waste any money"
"Well. am going down into my own
pocket to put up this $780, said r. }.
Cary, when Brennan, Johnson and silva
had voted down the proposal. 1T
ought to be spent"
w. T. Wheatley, manager of the
Consolidated Lumber company, made a
further contribution of $50. saying, 1T
is evident that the inquiries coming TO
the Wilmington chamber of commerce
regarding the harbor cannot be an
swered for nothing, and there should
be a fund to take care Of postage ana
other details"
Mr.. Weatley and c. II. Condee sec
retary of the Consolidated Lumber
company. were at the board meeting TO
watch the granting of two wharf fran
chises for twenty years covering 1900
feet of frontage which the lumber COM
pany includes in its Improvement plans.
It was allotted TO the Consolidated in
terests on two bids of 500 each, there
being no other bids.
The total tax levy at Wilmington Will
be S1.O5, as in addition to the general
tax the municipal Improvement FUND
for the harbor work calls for 40 cents.
After allowing a number of bills ana
disposing of other routine matters the
Wilmington trustees adjourned sine die.
"Im glad of it," said Trustee opp,
"and the more so after what happened
tonight"