New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-08-17
INACTIVE CITY OFFICIALS.
DOING NOTHING TO RELIEVE THE CITY FROM AN
UNJUST TAX ASSESSMENT.

DOING NOTHING TO RELIEVE THE CITY fhoM Az
UNJUST TAX ASSESSMENT
The State Assessors some time ago Informed the
local authorities of this city that they would DC In
BROOKLYN and New-YOrk this week to examine tue
rate of assessment OF real estate. RAINY s1Gn =
notice i'm Piled willingness on the part OF the state
Assessors to hear what might be said III regard 10
the share OF the State taxes which should De ap-
portioned TO New-York and Kings Counties. FOR
many wears past the taxpayers of both cities have
made loud complaints OF the injustice dohe tnoui
in the "equailz'pG OF po.S Sta'e 81 sa axe.
sors is composed of men II was thought
that tho city authorities would take this opportu-
nifty place before il the facts IN regard 70 the rates
of assessment, and thus erdeavor to relieve the
taxpayers of this city from an unjust burden. The
Brooklyn authorities did take energetic action. An
agent sent through the state 70 gamer Iacts III
regard to the rates of assessment In other counties
10 he used in making comparisons with Kings.
Mayor Low prepared an argument IN behalf OF q
reduction of the 'eqnalized" valuation OF that
county, President Iruslow of the City Board OF
Assessors, made another argument ana pre-,
pared a report on the subject. The Board
of Supervisors of Kings also took action, ana
such effective arguments were presented TO the
STATE Board of Assessors when in Brooklyn on
Tuesday that the city authorities there feel assured
that the Injustice OF former years Will not Do
Uufavorabe comment has been made by several
large taxpayers III this city because no action
has been taken Gy the onS Of
plant In New.York is much greater tha ,n
In Brooklyn. large owner of real estate te
Yesterday
paw the same proportion of the State taxes this
year rs last will have to stand almost one-h1f OF
the entire increase in the state mat VIII add over
$l,000,000 TO the taxes OF TINS CITY; III the Guy
authorities do not take any action to relieve ms from
that burden think that they will have occasion TO
regret it,"
taken by the authorities TRIBUNE reporter visited
the City Hall. The Aldermen constitute the
Board of Supervisors IN this ~, county.
Inquiry at their rooms was fIultless Iney arc
nearly All out OF the CITY.
Mayor Edison was found in his office, and when
inquiry was made of him on the subject, he SAID
:" have had 1t in mind for some time, but have
been pressed with other matters. The Department
of Taxes and Assessment should make start IN tht
matter OF course New-fork has very great deal
more to complain of than Brooklyn; and we must
not neglect this matter. The treatment that has
been accorded this city in the apporionment OF the
State taxes has been extremely unjust, and hope
the new Board of Assessors will be willing to treat
us fairly, The facts III the case should De laiu
before them promptly" ~
Commissioners. President Asten, who was In the
city on Wednesday, had gone out OF town ior gay
or two Commissioner DOnnelly is at Lake george
and Commissioner Feltner Is somewhere IN tne
Catskills. In answer TO Inquiries on the subject
Deputy Commissioner Coleman SAID: beIeVt
that the State Board of Assessors did send WORD Of
their intention to be in the city this week &c
not know that our board took any action on the
matter. Ii is likely that something Will be done
We have in previous years made repeated protests
TO the State Board OF Equalization III regard 10 thl
matter | nave at my own expense, on several oc
GASEOUS gone 10 Albany TO lay before the Stat,
hoard of Assessors facts showing that millions OF
dollars have been unjustly taksn from the
raxpayers of this city for the support o
the State Government The rate OF assessment
here exceeds 20 per cent. whichis much higher thar
in most of the counties of the State, and yet yea
after year from to two hundred millions has beer
added by the State Board to tho equanzed yalua
tons of this county and similar amounts deducted
from the valuation of rural counties. Why, tn
assessment on unimproved lots in this city. which
are wholly unproductive is larger than the tota
assessment in two-ihirds of the counties In tn
State That Is TO say the unimproved lots of TIL
CITY paw larger proportion OF the State taxes tina
any one of majority of the counties in the State