anaheim-gazette 1933-01-05

Sleeper Explains Working of Office (Continued from Page 1) "On the first Monday of March, we start our Feld Deputies to work. They are given a statement with the owner's name, his address, and a description of his property showing the assessed value of his real property, buildings, and trees. The Deputy gets a list of his personal property and lists the same on his statement. When the taxpayer signs his statement these values are before him. This statement is returned to the Assessor's Office, is posted on the property book, and then placed on the assessment roll — this requiring two comparisons. If the person being assessed has no real property, he is assessed for his personal property by the Deputy and a demand is made upon him for the payment of the unsecured personal tax as the law required. If the tax is paid the Deputy issues a receipt for the amount; this amount is placed on the statement with the number of the receipt issued and the date of payment. This statement is placed on the assessment roll showing the number of the receipt and the amount collected. "The Assessor must complete his work and deliver to the Board of Equalization the assessment rolls at 12:00 M., on the first Monday of July. These rolls show the ownership and assessed values of the property of every taxpayer in the county. "It is the duty of the Board to examine the rolls and see that all property is carrying its just proportion of the tax burden. They have the power, and it is their duty, to raise or lower any unjust assessment. With these conditions existing, how can an assessor cover up any assessment for the purpose of favoring any taxpayer (as some would have you believe), as these rolls are before the Board of Equalization for two weeks, and are open to all taxpayers for inspection. When you hear any talk of favoritism being shown by..." "It is the duty of the Board to examine the rolls and see that all property is carrying its just proportion of the tax burden. They have the power, and it is their duty, to raise or lower any unjust assessment. With these conditions existing, how can an assessor cover up any assessment for the purpose of favoring any taxpayer (as some would have you believe), as these rolls are before the Board of Equalization for two weeks, and are open to all taxpayers for inspection. When you hear any talk of favoritism being shown by your assessor, attempt to bring this person to the Assessor's Office to show you, you will find that he probably has an excuse that he is too busy to substantiate his assertion. "These rolls then go from the Board of Equalization to the Auditor who places all the taxes and special assessments against the property. When his work is completed, the Tax Collector takes the rolls and makes the receipts from them, and mails the taxpayer a copy of his tax receipt. "HOW DO WE ARRIVE AT VALUES FOR TAX PURPOSES? "Real Estate values are handled by the Assessor, personally, with the assistance of deputies from various districts. We have always tried to carry a reasonable value, and have never carried the inflated values which existed three years ago. "Building values are based on the class, size, age, and condition. We have now for the first time in the history of the County, a card showing all these factors. The Deputy at the head of this department is R. C. Patton of Orange. "Tree values are based upon personal inspection by C. R. Ridgway of La Habra. He works the north half of the county one year, and the south half the next year. His tree book gives the age, variety, condition, and acreage. It takes four months each year for this work. "EXEMPTIONS. Government, State, County, City (within city limits), school, church (when used exclusively for religious worship), and exservice men (who have an honorable discharge and are not worth $5000—based on assessed value), are allowed $1000 exemption. In 1932 we had 3624 such exemptions amounting to $2,030,125. Every householder is allowed an exemption of $100 on his personal property. "We have over 50,000 automobiles and trucks to assess. We have a booklet our deputies use that gives the assessed value of each make and model so that each assessment is uniform. "We assessed 18,853 cattle, 9459 hogs, 2773 horses, 1662 mules, 5520 sheep, 14,694 dozens chickens, 2315 tractors, in 1932, as well as household furniture, stocks of merchandise, farm implements, hay, grain, beans, sugar, alcohol, oil wells, oil, gasoline plants, pipelines (in Fullerton City we have an assessment of $44,975 for oil pipelines alone)." Louis Jonker Rites Held On Wednesday Funeral services were held from the Hilgenfeld funeral home Wednesday afternoon for Louis E. Jonker, 71, native of Germany and resident of this city for nine years, who died on New Year's day at the family home on South Claudina, following an illness of many months. Rev. R. C. Harker of the White Temple Methodist church officiated, assisted by Rev. B. C. Voll of the West Broadway Methodist church. Burial followed at Anaheim cemetery. Mr. Jonkers was brought to America when two years old, living in South Dakota for many years. He is survived by his widow Mrs. Elmira Jonker; two sons Clifford and Ralph J. Jonker, both of Anaheim; one brother Hilbert Jonker of Michigan; one sister Mrs. Lloyd Hamilton of Iowa, and four grandchildren. Medical Society Corrects Report The statement laid before the board of supervisors last week demanding curtailment of immunization policy of the county health department did not originate with the Orange County Medical Society, but the resolution covering the same subject and submitted several weeks ago did. This is the correction made late last week, following publication of the statement a week ago Tuesday. The statement, according to Secretary Harry G. Huffman of the society, "was only an expression of a group of individuals. "According to my records, no such letter has been sent by the Orange County Medical society." Grandfather Gets His Wrist Injured When Probation Officer Charles Pool, of Visalia, became a grandfather he received so many handshakes he suffered a sprained wrist. Yes. It Pays to Trade at Home It pays to trade at home. Eldon Grover and Joan Clarke of Willows "We have over 50,000 automobiles and trucks to assess. We have a booklet our deputies use that gives the assessed value of each make and model so that each assessment is uniform. "We assessed 18,853 cattle, 9459 hogs, 2773 horses, 1662 mules, 5520 sheep, 14,694 dozens chickens, 2315 tractors, in 1932, as well as household furniture, stocks of merchandise, farm implements, hay, grain, beans, sugar, alcohol, oil wells, oil, gasoline plants, pipelines (in Fullerton City we have an assessment of $44,975 for oil pipelines alone). "We have 105 special districts as well as 45 school districts. We have to see that all property is placed in the proper districts. "In 1920 we had 24,747 assessments. In 1932 we had 69,147 assessments. "From 1920 to 1932 inclusive, we have collected unsecured personal property taxes by $11,605,164.07. An average of $892,700 per year for the past 13 years. This is the largest collection of unsecured tax in the state with the exception of Los Angeles county. "The oil industry pays the bulk of this tax, and if there is not a new field or a deeper oil sand found in our county, we can expect a depreciation in the GAL. NO. 2 — SLEEPER value of our oil properties. The town lot area of Huntington Beach is declining fast, as well as other smaller properties. "I have given you a brief outline of the workings of the Assessor's Office. This office belongs to the people of Orange County, and I am only your employee. My deputies or I are not in fallible — we make mistakes any one would in handling this amount of work. All we ask is that when the taxpayer discovers an error, or thinks he has, is that he come to the office and we shall be glad to correct any error we have made. No assessor or set of men ever made a perfect assessment, or ever will, in Southern California. Our values change so rapidly it is impossible to say what an assessment should be one year in advance, as we have to do. We are fixing values now, the taxes on which are not paid until next November. "You have heard a great deal about my being controlled by some of the largest property owners (they being favored in their assessments). This is absolutely false, and is a reflection on your board of supervisors, as they sit as a Board of Equalization and pass on all assessments. I have never been controlled by any one and never will, as long as I am Assessor of Orange county. If I had wanted to be a thief, I could have retired years ago with all I would ever need, and could have done it in such a way that no one would have known about as I place values on all mineral rights, and have collected millions of dollars in taxes on same. As no taxpayer knows what these assessments should be, I could have placed a value of $500,000 instead of a million dollars, and the taxpayer would have known nothing about it. "The largest check I ever received was for $673,000.15, which was more than all the taxpayers in the county paid in 1910. "The great trouble with the average taxpayer is that he never pays any attention to his taxes until he gets his tax bill. He then goes up in the air, curses his officials for the burdens he has placed upon himself by voting bonds, and forming special assessment districts which have to be paid, and paid at a time when it hurts. If the taxpayer wants taxes reduced, there is only one way to do so; that is to cut expenses, be willing to do without some of the luxuries we have been enjoying, stop spending for improvements not needed, help your officials — they are working for your interest and need your assistance in their work." Coroner Called In 290 Cases Records Reveal Coroner Has Busy Year — Industrial Accidents Decrease Coroner Earl Abbey made investigations into a total of 290 cases of sudden death to people of this county in the year 1932. These figures are revealed by records kept in his office by Bert Castlex, deputy coroner. Of this number, there were 137 persons who died from natural causes, while 153 persons met death violently. Of the 153, 117 were men and 33 were women. A total of 95 inquests were held over 104 bodies here during the year and there was a total of 120 persons who met death in accidents, most of which were from automobile crashes. The coroner's records show a total of 82 auto crash victims. Eleven men were drowned accidentally. Two men and two women, pedestrians, were killed in railroad accidents. One man was killed under tractors and another man died in a tractor fire. Two men died in a burning house while they were committing arson, the records show. Three women and one man died of burns otherwise received. One man and one woman were asphyxiated, both being found on the same day at Seal Beach. One man died of accidental poisoning. One was fatally injured in a first fight. One man was killed while trimming a tree. The collapse of the oil industry has affected the coroner's business, records show, with only one industrial fatality during the year. During the oil boom of former years there were unusually a score of industrial deaths. The coroner's lists include five premature births. There were four homicides. Among the suicides the pistol route was most popular, 14 of the 29 victims using that weapon. All were men. Three men hung themselves, one used a razor blade, two chose carbon monoxide. Mrs. Emma M. Polhemus of South Gate spent the New Year holidays with her son, Dean Polhemus and his family of this city. George Blewett, John Eley, Lelan Alsip, Joe Bushard, Arval Morris, Niels Boege, Thomas Kuchel, Frederick Davis, Nell Grafton, Ellen Poyet, Lucille Vogle, Adele Rundstrom, Fay Stanley, Florence Eymann, and Grace and Helen Houck this week returned to classes at the University of Southern California. Appetizing lunches at the Pickwick. Returning to Pomona college this week to resume classes were Wilma Watts, Raymond Brunworth and Carol Welch. Madeline Newnes of Placentia this week enrolled at Riverside library school. Mrs. J. Fitzpatrick and Mrs. G. Dodge of Anaheim Wednesday bade goodbye to their sister, Mrs. L. Cobb and her children of Miami, Arizona, as they left for their home. Lloyd Riutcel, son of Mr. and Mrs. A. C. Riutcel of 507 North Clementine street, and his house guest, Rex. Dyer left over the New Year holidays for Moscow, Idaho, where they this week again took up their studies at the University of Idaho. Buy American Endorsed Here Local Chamber of Commerce Gets Back of Idea—Will Erect Sign at Entrance of City Realizing that the "Buy American" movement has a very definite place in Anaheim the directors of the Anaheim Chamber of Commerce decided to have a sign with that slogan inscribed, stationed near the north entrance of the city. The sign 10 by 20 feet in size has been located at Santa Fe Springs will be repainted and brought here. Plans for the annual banquet of the chamber were started yesterday, the event to be held late in January or early in February. Yearly reports reviewing activities of the organization and an outstanding speaker are tentatively scheduled, detailed arrangements to be worked out later. Referendum No. 64, regarding payment of foreign debts owed the United States, submitted by the United States Chamber of Commerce, was referred to the chamber's legislative committee for careful study and recommendation. It is planned in this connection to conduct a straw vote on the payment question, to aid in determining the group's policy on the matter. The entire board, with one exception, also endorsed the proposed legislative program sponsored by the Taxpayers' association for reduction of public expenditures. An invitation was received from the merchants' division of the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce to opening sessions of the Western States Merchants association convention at the Biltmore hotel in Los Angeles in Monday, January 16. Frank Warren, merchandise councillor, is to speak at that time on "Building Business by Community Effort." George W. Reid, secretary, stated that he and at least four local merchants expect to attend. Liquor Law Violators The collapse of the oil industry has affected the coroner's business, records show, with only one industrial fatality during the year. During the oil boom of former years there were unusually a score of industrial deaths. The coroner's lists include five premature births. There were four homicides. Among the suicides the pistol route was most popular, 14 of the 29 victims using that weapon. All were men. Three men hung themselves, one used a razor blade, two chose carbon monoxide gas, two employed cyanide and three swallowed strychnine. The four women suicides were of as many minds. One chose hanging, one drowning, one strychinine and one carbon monoxide gas. David Van Verst to Observe New Year's As Infant David Bruce Van Verst grows up he never will grow confused as to when his birthday is, even though he might object because it is "too close to Christmas." He will celebrate the natal event on New Year's day. Infant David Bruce was born at 9:30 o'clock Sunday evening to Mr. and Mrs. Robert Van Verst at the family home, 520 South Illinois street. Stork Increases His County Hospital Calls Whether economic conditions have anything to do with it or not, the stork visited the Orange county hospital 198 times during 1932 and only 139 times in 1931, according to records announced early this week. In Little Old New York park in the city. It is surrounded by a high iron fence, and only those who own property on the streets adjoining have keys to the big gates which lead into the green area. It is said that there isn't a single speakeasy in the city which is unknown to the police. New York's "legitimate" theatres are assessed at $45,000,000. Nearly 800 men and women here are making a living by playing some kind tree. Lloyd Riutcel, son of Mr. and Mrs. A. C. Riutcel of 507 North Clementine street, and his house guest, Rex. Dyer left over the New Year holidays for Moscow, Idaho, where they this week again took up their studies at the University of Idaho. After a week spent at Arrowhead as the guest of friends, Miss La Verne Holmberg has returned to her home here. Miss Hildegard Lochle of Chicago, house guest of her grandmother, Mrs. Christ Schenk of 328 South Olive street, this week marveled at the splendors of the Tournament of Roses, and the spectacle of the U. S. C.-Pittsburgh football game which followed at the Rose bowl. Miss Lochle was the house guest of relatives of Inglewood last week. Build Beauty from Inside out. Pomegranate Selected Milk. Phone 4401. Mr. and Mrs. Dan Marschall were week-end visitors at the home of relatives in Wasco, California. Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Walker of 760 North Clementine street were guests at the Walker cabin at Mount Baldy over the week-end. New residents at the Olive apartments are the Rev. and Mrs. C. B. Fugett and children, Roxanna and Clayton, and Mrs. Fugett's sister, Miss Dorothy Jarvis of Ashland, Ky. Attractive dinner menu at the Pickwick. Mrs. C. B. Lordye of Denver, Colorado, is enjoying an extended visit with her niece, Mrs. Margaret Hampton of 205 South Citron street. Mr. and Mrs. L. D. Goodyear of 555 South Illinois street, have returned to Anaheim. Mr. Goodyear was employed for the past two months at Escondido by the Citrus Machinery company. All invitation was received from the merchants' division of the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce to opening sessions of the Western States Merchants association convention at the Biltmore hotel in Los Angeles in Monday, January 16. Frank Warren, merchandise councillor, is to speak at that time on "Building Business by Community Effort." George W. Reid, secretary, stated that he and at least four local merchants expect to attend. Liquor Law Violators Pay for Indiscretions Although the Wright act was written off the statutes of California in December, liquor law violators seem to suffer approximately the same severe penalties as of yore. Illustrating this were the sentences meted out Tuesday by Judge Frank Tauech in the recorder's court. A. B. Masterson and James Fox, nabbed for intoxication, were ordered to pay fines of $25 each, or spend 12½ days in jail. Walter Roy Porter, who became "too noisy" when sitting with a group of companions in a parked car, was given a suspended sentence. Olivera Manuel, found guilty of driving while intoxicated, was ordered to pay a fine of $100 or go to jail for 50 days. Half of the fine was suspended. park in the city. It is surrounded by a high iron fence, and only those who own property on the streets adjoining have keys to the big gates which lead into the green area. It is said that there isn't a single speakeasy in the city which is unknown to the police. New York's "legitimate" theatres are assessed at $45,000,000. Nearly 800 men and women here are making a living by playing some kind of musical instrument in the streets. One person out of ten is an applicant for relief in New York City. A half million fewer persons are riding today on New York's rapid transit lines, street railways, Hudson tubes and bus lines than they were a year ago each day. In a single year nearly six million vehicles and a half million pedestrians crossed the George Washington bridge over the Hudson river. The Central Park zoo has a new guest, a rare Chinese turtle, seized in a speakeasy raid. The turtle, refused to eat raw meat, fish, lettuce and flies. What to feed it, was the question. Some one suggested cheese. Cheese was served. Cheese was eaten and now all is well. There are male manicurists in New York. It is proposed to establish a line of air taxis in New York. Airplanes will be used to transport passengers from one part of the city to the other, it is proposed. New York fruit shops are selling Italian lemons. New York department stores are selling machines which shuffle and deal playing cards. The clock on a great skyscraper tower on Broadway has been two minutes late for weeks. Mrs. C. B. Lordyke of Denver, Colorado, is enjoying an extended visit with her niece, Mrs. Margaret Hampton of 205 South Citron street. Mr. and Mrs. L. D. Goodyear of 555 South Illinois street, have returned to Anaheim. Mr. Goodyear was employed for the past two months at Escondido by the Citrus Machinery company. Dr. Lloyd C. Bailey of San Francisco was in town on Monday afternoon visiting with relatives and friends. He came over from Phoenix, attended by his daughter, Miss Miriam and left his wife to visit with relatives at Phoenix for a month. He called upon a number of friends and was driven to Los Angeles in the evening, where he and his daughter took the 8:30 train for the north. A Christian Science lecture free to the Public will be delivered by Bicknell Young, C. S. B., of Chicago, Illinois, a member of the Board of Lectureship of The Mother Church, The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Massachusetts, in Anaheim Union High School Auditorium, Sunday afternoon January 8, at Three o'Clock. St. Michael's Plans Annual Meet Jan. 10 Following a dinner in the Parish hall at 6:30 o'clock on the evening on Tuesday, January 10, the annual meeting of the St. Michael's Episcopal church will be held, Rev. D. Howard Dow announced this week. The meeting is scheduled for 7:45 p.m. REPORTS CYCLE STOLEN Jesse Davis of 718 South Philidelphia reported to police Tuesday that his bicycle had been stolen from the high school campus. Anaheim, Calif., Jan. 4, 1933 American Endorsed Here Member of Commerce of Idea—Will Erect Entrance of City Street Sweepers Back at Work Now Old-time street sweepers will be used by Lodi hereafter. The city council ordered the power sweeper laid aside to provide work for eight "white wings." Eyes Examined — Glasses Flitted HOMER A. NELSON, Opt. D. Optometrist TEUTONOPHONE FOR THE HARD OF HEARING Phone 8104 114 N. Lemon St. ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA SALE! FLORSHEIM Men's Shoes Good times are here for shoe buyers ... when Florsheim Shoes are offered at Sale prices... a real money-saving opportunity MOST STYLES $685 a few at $785 F.A.Yungbluth "The Home of Hart, Schaffner & Marx" 145 West Center Street Anaheim, California In Savings Accounts Opened with us by or including January 10 We will pay We will pay 4% Interest as of January 1 ANAHEIM First National Bank "The Home Bank" Inner Center and Lemon Streets Anaheim