The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-07-07
COMMISSIONERS In TROUBLE.
A Proposition to Reduce the Valuation
of Real Property 0ne-Fifth.
1t Excites Terror in Some of the Members
Big Reduction in the Valuation of Hecla
Mining StOck-Minor Matters.

The County Board of Equalization is some
what divided as to the best treatment to give the
tax problem, as far as it relates to the present
duplicate Messrs Rowland. Baldwin,, Yohn
and Christian, who the appointees OF the
Circuit Court the board, do not, perhaps, APP
preciate the difficulties of the County Commits
soners. who sit with them If the duplicate
falls short four or five million dollars, or even
onehaf the irst-named amount, the commits
sioners will tread a path of vexation in order to
meet expenses with only SO cents levy. How
to keep the duplicate up to the proper level
without endangering the welfare of special can
didacies and at the same time avert deficit, is
the question of great interest to two of the
Commissioners. The latter gentlemen, in their
perplexity, do not wish to overload real estate
permit the personality of corporations to escape
just equalization At the same time they do not
see how reduction to any great extent can be
made on the frst-named values. When the
board had its sitting yesterday, possible idea 1T
entertained at the beg inning took more definite
form.
Saturday last Mr. Rowland asked for the ag-
gregate valuation OF the late real estate apprase
ment ir all the townships. 1t was intimated
that for the time-being banks and corporations
would have a rest, while the equalizers
consulted over probabilities suggested by
the figures called for. The board got
them, and yesterday morning began the task of
reviewing and adjusting the values of real prop
erty. Mr. Rowland had been calculating on the
Center township aggregate of 81 806. 663. outside
the city, and moved that it be reduced 20 per
cent Mr. Rowland thought that Center town
ship should not alone share in this reduction,
and therefore moved to amend by making the
rnAr oil
Indianapolis This would probably reduce the
values of real property to $l.500,0 00 which was
terrifying proposition to the Commissioners.
warm discussion followed, with the Commits
sioners, especially Mr. Clinton. making deter
mined opposition to any such measure. The
shortness of the duplicate and the 80 cents levy
figured mostly in the opposing arguments, while
the supporters of the motion ameu@ed urged
that as the Legislature was only six months
away, relief could be had from that body
Eve will have little help to look for from the
Legislature" said Captain Clinton. "In fact, if
we were to ask them for relief l fear they would
give US nothing believe the motion is out of
order, as its adoption would place US in the char
acter of appraisers. We have nothing to do with
appraising property. We are only here to equal
ize values Again If the reduction is made.
how are you going to fix the individual valua
tons which have just been completed9 All that
will impose months of extra work upon the aud
itor" Commissioners Sahm and Reveal coin
cided with their colleague, and nothing was done
with the motion as amended.
eff those people in there" said an official,
"want to reduce real estate values, why don't
they begin on city property, where the highest
valuations rest? Center township real values in
this appraisement average about $l37 per acre,
which is not too much; and the valuations in
the other townships have been materially re-
duced. If they reduce appraiscments, let
them take it on city property"
In the afternoon the board resumed consider
alton of the corporation list. What they did is
jealousy guarded, but it is understood that the
recent great raise of taxable value in Hecla
Mining Company stock has been reduced from
1915 900 to $500 000 This drop of 1915, 900, it is
possible will be made up by additions on other
corporations Among those explaining their
position to the board. yesterday, were Eli Lilly
s. Co., the Atkins Soap Company, E. c. Atkins
& Co., and the Capital City Planning Mill Com
pany. 1t is SAID the Rowland resolution repre-
sents an idea to reduce real estate and pile up
the values on personally.