The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-07-30
UPTOWN ASSESSMENTS.

More Complaints from Nineteenth
Warders-Why Americans 1.-Two In
Paris-Facts for COnsidcrati
The Committee of the Board Of Supervisors hav-
ing charge of the investigation of the assessment
lists of the Nineteenth ward held another open
session in the Aldermanic Chamber yesterday, and
will to-day close the books of that ward. To-mOr-
row the books of the Twelfth ward will be opened,
and complaints Of unequal or excessive assess
ments of property in that district will DO received
continuing through Thursday and Friday.
The most remarkable complaint made yesterday
was that OF Mr.. John M. Bixby, lawyer, residing
at and owning No. 461 Fifth avenue. He stated
that in 1871 his property was assessed at $40 900;
In 1872 the assessment was advanced to $7o,OOO,
and this year it was valued by the Asses
sors at $4,000. He expressed the opin-
ion that If values were to be fixed
upon this absurdy extravagant basis it
would ruin the real estate interests of this
city. He knew positively, he said that he
could rent much better residence i'll either Paris
or London for the money he has to pay in annual
assessments here on his residence, from which he
justly assessed. The taxes ON his residence
amounted to g. 1870, exclusive of water rents, and
to be added. He was born in this city and had
practised law here, but never before knew OF such
excessive assessment OF real estate.
supervisor McCafferty asked what Mr.. Bixby
considered fair valuation for his house.
Mr.. Bixby replied that heVcOuld scarcely tell or
rather 1t was difcult to fix value Tor the reason
that the locality seemed to be undergoing sort
transformation. A number OF stores and hotels
were being erected in the neighborhoOd, which
would have certain effect on property valuations
Whereabouts, but he thought $4,000 would be
fair estimate of its value There are now about
siding in Paris, who had beyond doubt fixed their
residences there because they found that with fair
incomes they could live more reasonably In that
city and at the same time enjoy all the luXuries.
The effect OF the present system in New York would
ce one eve very ch and hs other So
The following complaints also were made by
John Burns representing the National Ice Com.
pany's building on Fourth avenue between Forty
eighth and Forty ninth streets Property valued at
$40 600 in 1871 at $4,000 In 1872 and at $4,000 in
1873. Mr.. Burns claimed that the property had de-
preciated in value as residences on account Of the
Vanderbilt railroad depot.
John She'll, Seventy eighth street, near Second
avenue house and lot valued at S. 00O IN 1872 and
at 900 this year. Mr. She'll said the valuation
julius Brown owns two houses $50 and s32 First
avenue; valued at $4,000 in 1872 and $4,000 this
year. corner lot near the property was valued
j. M. wallenstein complained that his house.
No. 251 East F1fty-thlrd street. was increased In
value by the Assessors. ON examination, however
it found that the house was assessed at ST. 900
last year. and at $4,000 this year.
C. G. Collard, West Forty-seventh street. be-
tween Fifth and Sixth avenues; house valued at
$4,000, IN 1871 and at 900 In 1873.
Mr. Frederick Kohr. house No. 1,4Sl Second ave.
this year.
Mrs. Daily, Seventy street, between First
and Second avenues; her lot valued at 800, in
1872 and at $4,000 this year. Other lots in the
same street are assessed at only 81 $50 each.
Mrs. Cynthia Bunce, OF No. 81 West Fifty-fourth
street. had her house valued last year at $40, OOO
This year the assessment is $4,000. A house d.
rectly opposite, valued at $S,0OO she considers a
much better one than hers. Another house In the
same street, much larger than hers, and ha wing all
modern improvements, is assessed at $4,000
Judge ConnOlly's house, also In the same street,
fully as good as her house, Ia assessed at only
$1,000 She protested against this unequal valua-
ton.
Anton Waning of No. 9l2 Second avenue and
s. Ullman. OF No. 005 Second avenue also com.
planned OF unequal valuation.
william Richardson, OF IS Wall street. owner of
six lots on Fifth avenue and Seventy third street.
was assessed in 1871 $4,000 in 1872 $e3 900 and In
1873 sec, 000 the increase In two years being
900. He also owns eight lots on the block
bounded by SeventysecOnd and Seventy-thrd
streets, Madison and Fifth avenues, that were
assessed in 1872 at 900 and this year at 81 Oo0
Lambert Suydam ls Joint owner with Mr..
Richardson OF the block bounded by Seventy
second and Seventy-thrd streets, Madison and
Fourth avenues. The assessment on the block last
year was s12S,OO0 1t has been increased this year
to $4,000
Samuel Ullman said the assessment on his house
zoos Second avenue, was raised from So, 600 In 1871
to SIS, $50 this year.