The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1889-08-08
And Jersey City's Tax Com
mission Gets 1t AL
most as Hard.
THOSE LOW VALUATIONS.
The County Board viii See About
the Queer Ups and Downs in Ho-
boken's Figures.

were JuStlned IN being apprehenSlVe, Aor
they received the sound rebuke they eVl-
IDENTIFY expected.
All of the Commissioners were present
and Chairman Van Reipen proceeded to
business at once. He asked Assessor
Dollard if he had the revised report of
Hoboken valuations which he was in
structed to make, and the Assessor replied
affirmatively. He reported that after
careful examination he had found that
the real property of Hoboken could
be increased 5000, and the personal
property was worth $500 more. This
magnificent increase, when only millions
were expected, forced the Board to order
that five per cent. increase be added to
the entire valuations of the city. Dollard's
report was:-Real property, $16,32S, 300;
personal, 81, $40, $50; or a total of SIT, 839-
1877. He wanted the Board to allow $751;
600 as exemption money for firemen and
veterans. When he asked that this be
done, Chairman Van Reipen said that the
Assessors could make reductions for eX-
ernptions, and that the Tax Commissioners
had no power to do it, Mr.. Dollard disa-
greed with the chairman, and said So
Commissioner Morgan told those pres
ent that the opinion of the Counsel to the
Board was more reliable law than Mr..
Dollards, and said the chair had ruled
correctly. Commissioner Cleveland also
agreed with the chair and produced the
law. He said that il the Commissioners
should allow these reductions, that any
fireman could get 81 900 off each year, BY
producing his certificate to the town
officials he would have the $500 allowed
by law taken off and then could do the
same with the Commissioners
HARRISON GETS A RAISE, TOO.
A resolution that the valuations of Ho-
Doken be increased five per cent. and
Harrison twenty per cent. was adopted,
only Mr.. Morgan voting against it.
II would like to know why the valua-
tions of Harrison have been increased"
said Assessor Van Deering. He was
politely told by Mr.. Cleveland that it was
none of his business, but Mr.. Van Reipen
explained that the Commissioners found
that lots were assessed at $500 when an
adjoining or opposite one would be as
sessed 5000. The entire town is under
assessed from twenty to thirty per cent.
Commissioner Cleveland said that from
ten to twenty per cent should be taken off
some OF the property there. and that other
from forty to fifty per cent. The Board
then went into an executive session, which
lasted half an hour.
THE COMMISSIONERS REPORT.
The following report was adopted dur
ing the time:-
TO the President and Commissioners of
the Board for the Equalization of
TdTes.
GENTLEMEN-Your committee, appointed
by resolution of this Board, to consider
the Assessors returns made for the city
of Hoboken, report that they have con-
cluded the task imposed upon them, and
herewith submit the conclusion at which
they have arrived
That portion OF the city of Hoboken
comprising the unimproved meadow
tract is valued far exceeding its present
worth, and as matter of equity should
be largely reduced. Excepting the above,
we find most of the improved real estate,
upon which no buildings have been
erected throughout the whole city, as
sessed as contemplated and directed by
law. This fact also remains apparent
where small buildings merely occupied
by single families are concerned.
During the three years last past, that
portion of the city between Fifth and
Newark streets on Washington, Newark
from Washington to River street, and q
portion of Hudson and River streets has
largely increased in valuation. None or
scarcely any of this particular tract is un-
improved, but represents valuable build
ings in addition to high priced lots. The
valuations, however, remain at about
therefore are of opinion that as now
assessed this last mentioned class pays
upon a basis OF twenty-five to fifty per
cent. of it's full, fair and real value
There does not appear to be uniformity
in the valuing this class, as now practised
by the Assessor.
Without regard to locality we find ex-
pensive buildings almost invariably as
sessed for below what law and justice
would seem to require. In some instances
as low as thirty per cent, and rarely in
deed can you find single building of this
character rated at nifty per cent. OF what
it should be- We are therefore compelled
to conclude that the law regulating the
duties of an Assessor, in the estimation of
Hoboken's representative, doesn't apply
to his district.
JERSEY CITY's LOW VALUATIONS.
Incidentally it became necessary for us
to make cursOry examination OF the city
of Jersey City's valuations as made by the
Tax Commission of that city, in order that
we might determine how that city's yalu-
ations compared with those of the city of
Hobokep. The present Tax Commission
OF Jersey City has had only short time
in which to make its assessment, and of
necessity its work must be crude and i'm
perfect, 1t having been found impossible
to make personal survey of the city.
We selected number of buildings at
random throughout the city, also few
vacant lObS Ill ulu6TeuU UlSLrlClS. re
find that in many of the districts fifty
per cent. is what the improved property
Is valued at, while the vacant lots would
range much higher. In some of the dis
tricts want of uniformity was found in
assessing the property, we presume be-
cause the Assessors, for want of time
were precluded from making personal
examination.
MANY pieces of property heretofore
assessed at ridiculous figure have been
largely increased and we are assured will
he still further advanced another year
The Commission no doubt will devote
their time to securing an equitable al just
ment of valuations throughout Jersey
CITY, so that each particular tract will be
valued relatively the same as similar prop
erty in the same locality. Our conclusion
regarding Jersey City, therefore, is
that an Improvement is desired, and
where we have had no opportunity to
make an examination such as we could
desire. we see that the law imposing a
fl1lI. fair and true valuation has not been
followed, perhaps for a want of time.
Vet the fact remains that fifty per cent is
about the basis established, generally
kepeaking, so far as Ourown limited means
nf investigation indicate.
HARD BLOW AT DOLLARD.
Were it not for the exception made by
he Hoboken Assessor in favor OF expen-