The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-12-22
BROOKLYN TAX SALES.

HOW THEY ARE CONDUCTED AND HOW THEY
AFFECT THE PROPERTY AND THE PUR-
CHAsERs INTERVIEW WITH REGISTRAR
oKEEFFE REGARDING THE ARREARAGEs OF
1873.
The financial difficulties of Brooklyn. with her
$14 600 600 arrearages taxes and the methods Of
various kinds advocated tor her relief attract
ing general attention Other cities, in the hope Of
gaining knowledge for their own relief eagerly
awaiting the result Of the impending tax sale. which
Registrar of Arrears Michael O'Keefe has ordered.
In order to obtain Mr.. OKeefe's views on the SUBJ
ject the for ordering such sale when the
general feeling Of the taxpayers in opposition
to it. reporter yesterday visited that gentleman
at his office. He was glad, he said, to be
afforded opportunity to explain the reasons OF
his course and the methods by which he proposed
or hoped to relieve the finances Of the city. After
few preliminary questions Mr.. O'Keeffe called for
such papers as he desired from his subordinates.
and after he had made brief study he was asked by
the reporter :-'Have you ordered sale for the ar
rears Of 1882"
EYES," replied Mr. OKeeffe. "My reason for or
dering the sale is that the taxpayers consider
ably in arrears, number Of years, and the Law
directs the SALE The question of expense was the
first thing taken into consideration, and had con-
ference with the Mayor ana newspaper proprletorb
in reference to the rate of advertising. They de-
cided to accept SO cents-one-hah the former rate
for each parcel lot for each paper. For which
amount they agree to publish the list for three
months and to every endeavor TO put 1t into the
hands OF citizens ut large.
THE EXTENT THE SALE.
GLOW many parcels will be included in the sale
for 1s73Y'
the sale. including advertising, pamphlets and all.
will be about $1,000 as against the last SALE which
took place in 1878, which cost nearly SIS, 0OO"
..will the sale improve the condition OF affairsr'
''That will only be known from the result OF the
Of the receipts. We have been called by several
persons who Say they will invest.
Have the arrearages been reduced to any marked
degree during the past year?"
''They have been, in some instances, paid regu-
larly. the amount received during the year ending
November 80, 1879. being $1,7SS, 90 08. amount
somewhat less than during the two previous years.
For 1877 the amount received $2297 $50 90. and
thus shows a decrease over 1877 Of 49, 6os Is. and
1879 of $685. 5l 94 The reason of this decrease. in
my estimation, is that every taxpayer has been ex.
pecting some legislation that would relieve him OF
some Of his taxes People are coming in every day
and asking what legislation will be taken. and saying
that they would not pay until something was DONE"
''Will you continue the tax sales for the years in
until the limit prescribed by the law 10
reached?'
.That is the proposition at present. If it pays the
city to do it, which will be determined by the out
OF the present sale. and possibly by the action
that the Legislature may take during the coming
session..
''What will the city do with the parcels that DO
not find outside purchasers-bid them in. a. hereto
forc?'
mo. The idea is that the city will not purchase
any more, but will allow the sales to remain open
outside buyers the payment Of the arrearages.
The city never issued warrant for the payment OF
tax sale purchases, and there has been money
raised in the budget for that purpose The certih-
Gates indebtedness issued by the city on the
rearages have been issued the call OF Treas.
urer to meet the outstanding obligations tor which
the had been laid the property in arrears"
EFFECTs THE
hat hapx ha he afac tnf fho aa1a IN he
"The only effect will be that the law ordering such
sale has been complied with II q parcel is pur.
chased by outsider under the provisions Of the
law the owner will be allowed the privilege OF re-
demption ut any time within two years. the party
purchasing being bound TO notify the owners. II
the property be not so redeemed the purchaser
purchased. The OF sale that the parcel IL
to be sold to the party taking for the shortest term
of years for the amount OF arrearages accruing
dur ng the year for which the sale is held. Tho
money paid over to the city within fortyeight
hours, and the arrearaae. so far as the city is con:
cerned, is wiped out. Should the money not be paid
within the rorty-cight the sale is void, and
the property must be included in the next sale.''
What is the average term Of the leases executed
under these sales?"
'.Of late 100 years. In former times they sold for
1000 and even Tor 10000 years"
How is property redeemed by the ownersf
"After the term Of two years has expired and the
lease has been taken out by the purchaser they
cannot redeem from the city, but must go to the
purchaser and make q bargain with him. The pur.
chaser IL this is pot done within six months there
proceedings obtain possession of the parcels he
had purchased ut the tax SALE.
"How are tax purchasers affected by subsequent
sales?"
"a subsequent sale cuts of all prlor sales. that
o who purchases for one years arrearages must
purchase at the next sale and on it Is absolutely
necessary to follow each purchase up. new lease
cuts of the old because it has been allowed to
20 to sale again. 1t is necessary, therefore, for
man once in the business to keep in 1t. the par.
GELS purchased naturally accumulate their hands.
especially i'll estates where there are minor heirs
at.Q III
care there no other methods OF obtaining the
arrearages?'
atty tried instead OF fifteen per cent. but the
very who obtained the passage of the law did
present law arranged to assist the city in this
matter. but it has only had the effect or inducing
falling of in the payments.
THE HEAVIEST ASSESSMENTS
'In what wards the heaviest arrearages for ~.
sessments laidY"
..The greater amounts Of assessments are in or
touching portions OF the followng:-The Sixth.
Ninth Tenth, Twenty-sec Twenty-third. Twenty.
fourth ana Twenty hfth wards in the Western Dis
trict, and the Thirteenth Fifteenth, Sixteenth,
Eighteenth and Nineteenth wards in the Eastern
Districts that 1t Will be seen they are not all in the
outlying wards"
"Wil a compromise with some Of the owners Aid
them benedl the city in the mstterr'
"Any such remedy as n compromise Is q question
of law. We are now engaged in getting up report
or statement showing all the property that is en-
tirely overloaded and covered by taxes, assessments
and water rates. which will be ready shortly. aud
will show III detail every such circumference on each
value of the property. This statement will furnish
the groundwork Tor the Legislation that may be con-
sidercd necessary
'.what is the total amount of arrearages Brook
Ign property to-day?''
''On the 30th November ult it 90 o..
a follows-
Taxes. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 10, 134 -
Water rates ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 5S6,625 80
Assessments ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 1854, 35y ~
Sales to city unredeemed-
estimated .............. 50 100000 90
Less collcc lions .......... 1,75711 06
balance .......... 2l2S2S O6
~ 2.Os7. 9T IL
Total. W
At the close of the interview the general plan OK
the report was explained. Each sheet Will show at
glance the amount of property in arrears IN each