New-York tribune., 1884-03-23
FACTS ABOUT DELINQUENT T4XPAYERS
REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF ACCOUNTS
rA1.L1N. NIr1unns OLE COLLECTION.

REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF ACCOUNTS
FAULTY METHODS OF COLLECTION.
The Commissioners of Accounts yesterday
submitted to the Mayor report Of their examination OF
the accounts and records in the office Of the Attorney for
the Collection OF Arrears of Personal Taxes from Febr
ary 49, 1892, when the Office examined and the de
facaon of L. D. GAZE discovered. The report covers the
period from February -, 1882, until Januory 81 1854
During that time there paid into the city treasury
S54sGt Os while only III Is paid into the city
treasury during The seven years previous, when the
place was held by Nh Gale, OF the S0is6l Os thus paid
in S3G526 ~ was collected by Assistant Corporation
Counsel T. Henry Laeombe, who was in charge from
Nav g. $50, to January Il, $50. From January II,
1888 to January "A, 1884, c. S. Besrdslee collected
sls 337 C1 Mr.. Lacombc's collections were as follows
From lists sent the Attorneys Office prior to February
49, 1889: Taxes $14ss7 so; interest, $4,000 Ol; total
S1Gss7 3d. From lists sent TO the Attorneys office after
February 49, 1892: Tax, Sss56. G1 interest, $7s2 33
total sl9.638 81; total OF both lists $39,526 AZ.
There was collected and paid into the city treasury by
C. g. Bearisleey from lists sent TO the Attorneys Office
nrior TO February II, 1882: For taxes 81 l,G3l 10;
interest $5l9 ga total S2l53 91 From lists sent to
the Attorneys Office after February 49, 1882 Taxes $1f
173 90; interest ls9 n; total $l5,5G3 II; costs,
$500: total OF both lists 1897 61; grand total $34,
s64 Oa An analysis OF these lists shows 4267
renreseniug valuation of $685. 10 93S, and tax OF
1906 l2l Ga There were 926 names dismissed, repre-
senting valuation OF $4,7306sO and tax OF S1l7,-
307 7e This large proportion of the lists Most Of the
cases were dismissed for alleged want Of property to
the taxes some Of capital invested In busi
ness I'm this city because assessed as residents the
owners being non-resideDts some because the owners
were assessed nonreSdents they being resdens and
others "a erron eOus, the names not being correct
rho large number OF these dismissed cases indicate
family methods IN the matter Of assessments bu in the
nner of mot found" there are mere glarnR evil
dcncts Of loose IsethOds OF assessments, there
bcipg 1I86 names, representing valuation or
s492s 548 and tax Of Sl20390 IA 1t seems that the
not found" capable OF only two explanations
eifber the assessments were made mproyidently, or
there was not due diligence used by the officials ~
There are the personal tax rolls IRON 1874 10 1884,
assessments made OF Valuations ana taxes
in round figures TO about S70,OOO.0c0 vaua-
tions aud So 900 that the city has never
cciyed ANYTHING FROM the assessment being, SO Tar "a
Known worthless. There great number OF pending
cases amounting to 992 names, representing tax or
Sls05s5 49, that being attended TO- Many OF them
were disposed OF during December and January after the
Commissioners had begun their Investigation. In the as
sessents made of amounts under 81 900 the attorney
has no power begin proceedings Through the opera
non of This section the collection OF tax amounting TO
ais 500 81 is prevented. There is one list which ap-
peared on the tax rolls 1877 1873 and 1879 which was
moi returned by the Marshal until April 49, 1882 1t is
wrong system withhold the names any longer than
sixty DAYS. ,., - 4.
the amounts collected by and the disposition OF the
warrants given the Marshal for collection ny the lie
ceyer Of Taxes with view OK looking into the methods
used In the Tax Department IN making assessments on
personal propery but lack Of clerical assistance pre-
vented. o.. ,,. -. 4,
BeaTdsee is commended.