The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1912-08-12

July 81
President II. IN. Gardner of tn,
real estate exchange, under oath
went into the matter of real estat,
values in Oklahoma City and county
before the board OF equalization
Thursday afternoon and summarize
ed the entire assessment situation
with the assertion that all tow
lots in the county should be subject
cd to a reduction OF Is per cent.
Gardner encirced the city in his
testimony, led BY the questions o.
Attorney Henry Snyder He begar
with the vacant lots in the additions
northeast of the city, near Britton
The county board had reduced tn,
average OF lots from $50 TO SIS and
Gardner expressed the belief thai
the property could not be sold al
any price.
haywood addition and the Oah
Park additions, Gardner thought
We're assessed right at the top cash
value. when equalized by the coun-
y board.
Southtown and the property on
Grand and Main streets, west OF
Hudson, the witness said were left
1t extravagant values. because the
state boards action was feared
should they be reduced to their real
value.
Taking a few business blocks as
Illustrations, down town. it develop
ID that the Colcord building, cost.
ng $340, 90 to erect, was assessed
1T 100000; the Lee-Huckins hotel
1 $500, 900 and the lots $l35y000 and
he Sk.rvin with lots at $350,0j0
Joseph Huckins, Jr., made an effort
have his valuations reduced.
Opinion on Values.
Gardner was questioned at some
.ength regarding the values of lands
included in the proposed state cap
tai site and the $50 acres to be
Iced the state in connection there
With. Gardner estimated that lots
aear the proposed site of the state
louse, would sell now for $l00 each.
Governor Cruce stated that c. f.
Jolcord had appraised them at
$3.50.
This led to to the explanation by
Gardner, that all the values fixed
IN the capital lands, were based on
the assumption that the capital
would be erected. Unless II were,
le was of the opinion that the lands
would not be worth more than 10
ger cent of the S1,2oo,ooo at which
hey were appraised when offered to
he state.
George w. Carrico, chairman of
he Oklahoma county board of com
nissioners, laid nice foundation
or severe grilling when he asserted
o the state board of equalization
Thursday that he was tine best
,osted man" in the state on prop
srty values.
The grilling came from every
member OF the board and lasted
rom $50 a. m. until the board ad-
iourned at noon, still undecided
whether 10 begin the work OF equal
lzation with Oklahoma declared by
he board TO be needful of the health
est increase in assessment.
Carrico defended the work OF his
county board. declared that this
ounty WIS assessed and the
cemainder of the state, particularly
indian Territory, was undervaued
and maintained that the county
should pay not over per cent of
he total state tax, compared with
10 per cent last year
Explains Banks Attitude
he explained the attitude of the
State National bank in securing a
-eduction or $151,500 on the ground
If unpaid capital stock and was di
'eeted by the governor TO demand
If the bank, a copy of its last state
nent TO the comptroller of the cur
ency prior to January /, and as
.ertain therefrom whether it swore
0 $4,000 paid up capital.
Aided by Attorney Henry Snyder,
3arrico explained how the board was
ed to consider the Epworth Uniyer-
iity property as devoted to educa-
ional uses and exempt from taxa
ion, though no school has been IN
existence since June. 1911
Carrico listed the counties in the
tate and told the state board which
e considered undervalued and
'hich was over assessed. Generally
peaking, he considered the east
ide counties much under assessed
nd the west side counties taxed to
cath"
'eIay Explained.
Carrico explained the delay of
re board in completing its work |
ith the statement that late last |
eek. much property had been rails
4 by the board, and it was neces-
iry to give five days notice to the
Nners in order to permit protests.
he five-day period expired Monday.
e said
Governor Cruce expressed himself
. not satisfied with explanations
from the State National
ink of the manner in which that
stitution had been assessed. Ac-
riding 10 the information before
e board the governor said, six
onths after the consolidation of
e state National bank and the
kLahoma City National bank, the
rmer was carrying unpaid capital
ock
What I want TO know" said
-uee. is how they can do things
Oklahoma City that they can't do
Iywhere else on earth. If you want
do what's right, and you say you
!. you'll call on that bank for
py of its last statement to the
before January I, and