Los Angeles herald., 1910-05-17
BOTH SIDES BLUFF;
WE WIN,' EACH SAYS
Thousands Involved in Big Land
Are Stakes in Game but
No One Gets Them
VALUE OF ACREAGE DISPUTED
Plaintiffs Seek to Prevent Sale to
AnnandaIe Country Club
of Pasadena
VALUE OF ACREAGE DISPUTED

Spectators in Judge Monroe's court
yesterday are wondering which called
the bluff of the other in the fight be-
tween the san Rafael Ranch company
and the Pasadena Golf association in
the suit of the former for an injunction
to prevent the latter from selling 124
acres of the clubs land to the AMMAN
dale Country club for $152,5OO.
The ranch company, as a stockholder
in the golf association is protesting
the sale on the ground that the prop
erty is worth $S6O,OOO, and that there is
q conspiracy to turn it over to the
Country club for a smaller amount.
The proceedings are complicated in
view Of the fact that many golf en-
thusiasts are stockholders in all three
concerns involved in the proceedings.
c. S. Campbell-J ohnson, who, with
his brother, owns most of the san
Rafael Ranch company, is a stock
holder in the Pasadena Golf assocla-
ton. He was on the stand nearly al
day yesterday and declared that Wnlle
the association was going to sell the
land for about $1,000 an acre it was
worth fully $2500 an acre and ought
not to be sold for less.
Mans were introduced by the plain
ttffs to show that the city of Pasadena
is growing out toward the property
of the golf association, and that in a
few years the land would be very val
uable to divide into tracts for building
purposes. 1t was shown that there
was good water available; that the
land could also be used for farming;
that it had desirable avenues through
it. and other features were introduced
to show its acceptability as residen-
tial section in the future.
OFFERS TO BUY IT HIMSELF
If was when Campbell-Johnson de-
clared that the land was worth $25OO
an acre. making $4,000 for the whole
tract, that the bluff" was carried out
but each side claimed that it called
the other.
would you pay $25OO an acre for the
land?" asked Attorney Stevens Of
Campbell ohnson.
"Yes." he replied. Il would"
"Well. your honor" said Stevens,
turning to the court, Il think that is
an offer not to be overlooked. 1 think
we can stop the proceedings right here.
I am authorized by my clients to ac-
cept any such bid as that"
"Awh, 1 am not bidding on the prop
erty, you know" replied Campbell
Johnson.
"Well." said the court. 81 don't think
YOU can place a value on the property
that you are not willing to pay your
self"
Campbell johnson squirmed around
for a second or two. Then his face
frightened.
4 will buy it from him at $25oo an
acre" he cried.
"The whole 124 acres?" asked the
court.
yes" he said. "Of course this is a
pretty big deal to swing at a moments
notice, but I think can manage it."
"Your honor, I object to the pro-
ceedings," interposed Attorney Britt
who represents the plaintiff. The court
allowed the objection and the trial was
resumed as though the incident had
not occurred. Now those who wit
messed the prospective plunge in high
finance are wondering which side was
"bluffed." Both appeared willing and
yet nothing was done.
A. Campbell was another
witness who testified to the value Of
the land in the future. He said that
even if the tract We're not sub-divided
for the next twenty years, it would
pay from to 315 per cent on its pur-
chase Therefore nothing would be
lost on it because it would increase in
value with the present growth Of
Pasadena.
The suit will be continued this
morning.