The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-06-29
TRYING TO AVERT A DEFICIT.
The County Board Of Equalization Striv-
ing to Keep Up the Tax Values.
Fears Of the Equalizers that They Will Not
Get Through Within the Time Allowed by
LaW-Assessor Quilts Work.

The County Board of Equalization was dis
turbed yesterday about the publication OF some
of its proceedings 1t is taking banks and cor
porations as they come. together with some very
prominent firms in order to restore to the tax
duplicate the shortage that will occur in other
properties. If the law gives the equalizers the
breath of chance to increase the lists of these
concerns they apt not to miss it. Together
with the anxiety over possible deficit growing
out of reduced duplicate and the levy limit for
next year, there is ambition on the
part of two or three members to
sit as reforiners The affable, useful, but
overanxious County Commissioner Sahm is
one of them. He is excellent accountant
but it is possible the problem he is becoming
bold over will carry him to an early defeat in
the November election. He is candidate for
reelection, and at the same time wants to solve
his problem on basis satisfactory to all sides
This led him to say yesterday: at is mistake
about US raising the taxable values of corpora
tons and banks all around. The reverse is
true When we are ready to publish our con-
illusions it will be found that we have made re-
auctions, except in a few instances"
Are you reducing or increasing valuesF was
asked OF another member
There have been but few reductions, and
those Of immaterial sums 1t is the purpose of
the board to raise values where it can do so
legally
Yesterdays session was further given to the
consideration of the bank and corporation lists
1t is thought the work in this respect will be
completed to-day, when an adjournment for a
few DAYS will follow before taking up the real
estate lists, which are being rapidly prepared by
Assessor Quill. The work liz this gem
teman's Office is doubled, on account
of his doing the work previously
done by the city assessor, the duties of which
office come to hin under the Winter consoiida-
ton law. When the equalizers first met the idea
paranountto all others that possessed them was,
How long can we sit and draw payl" An ex-
animation of the law told them they were limited
to fifteen days regular session, and fifteen
days special session if necessary. 1t
struck them at once that they could do all that
was expected of them in thirty days time, al
though the law permits them TO sit until their
successors are appointed and qualified, but with
out pay if beyond the fifteen days of regular
and fifteen Of special sessions. AS the
| County Commissioners were not willing to
| allow the assessor appropriation for night
| work and were ready to grumble at the expense
already incurred. that official is compelled to do
this largely increased service of his Office with
/ force of about the number customary at this
| time of year. Again, the sexennal appraise-
4 ment of real estate coming in, the assessors
work is also by this enlarged There has been
| an unavoidable delay, which has caused an IN
necessary nervousness on the part of the equal
| izers. that they will not be able to get through
| in the thirty days allowed them. The real es-
| tate lists will be taken automatically when the
! banks and corporations off the calendar.
| Notices are being sent out by the bushel to real
estate holders, and by Thursday, at the furthest,
! they will be able to explain to the board why
| their values should not be increased.
| In order to pfe7ent any of the proceedings
| of the board reaching the public. Bailif johnson
was yesterday kept busy in driving spectators,
reporters, and even those who wanted to get the
ear of the equaiizers beyond hearing distance.
| and Johnson drew an imaginary dead line, about
thirty feet from the boards table, ard was vigi-
liant, aggressive and tireless in the character of
| bouncer. Among the distinguished callers who
had business there and who were unceremoni
ously taken by the hand and led beyond
| the possibility Of hearing anything until
their time before the board came, was Treasurer
of State Cooper. German reporter sitting dan
eerously to the sacred place, was thrown
out of the window. After the eQuaizers are
through in the evening, the papers and lists are
slowed away 10 a safe with the latest improve
ment in combination locks. Nobody can get
into it, without permission. But when the
banks and corporation values are published it
will be seen that the increase is large, notwith-
standing the assertion of Commissioner Sah4n
that there is q reduction all around"