The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1890-03-20
UNJUST TAXATION.
The Lafayette Citizens AS
sociation Protests
Against Discrim-
ination.
REFORMING THE METHODS
The Commissioners Will Adopt
Ways of Their Own.

Some gentlemen not dead in love with
Mayor CleveIand's Tax Commissioners
met last night at Loan Association Hall,
Lafayette. and discussed things in gem
eral and taxes in particular. These gem
tlemen are all representative citizens and
men Of influence and affiuence. They are
known as the Lafayette Citizens Protec-
tive Association, and among the number
present last night were President 3. NJ.
Watson, Secretary C. II. Slater. Finance
Commissioner George r.. Hitler, Dr.
Mortimer Lampson, r. l.. Rehill, Henry
Steffens. Jacob Keller, Alderman Anthon
Hauck. Counsellor John W. Heck, Frank
%. Miller, B. Hinrichs, Il. W TennhaR
and Judge Jacob G. Lowy.
Mr. Steffens opened the fun by asking
that the complaint by the citizens of un-
just taxation be taken from the table and
discussed. Mr.. Steffens is an experienced
real estate and insurance agent, and
probably knows the values of land
in Lafayette better than any other
man. His motion prevailed, and
then Mr.. George r. Hitler, who was
appointed Finance Commissioner by
Mayor Cleveland, said that the com
plant, he thought, was premature, for
the Tax Commissioners had not the time
to make proper assessments, that they had
to base their Judgment on the old as
SCISSORS books, but that now these books
had been discarded and the work was
being done more carefully and q block to
block canvass of the territory being made.
This apology did not please Mr.. Lawson
at all, and he emphatically declared that
people ought not to be unjustly taxed.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SMALL AND LARGE.
Il extend an invitation to any man to
come to Suydam avenue and examine the
street to see wheter the valuations should
~, sal 49,
how the grade has been raised ard then
pass judgement"
1T would give me relief to know" sai9
Mr.. Steffens, why small property own1
ers are taxed to the full value Of their
property and the rich owners are not. I
nave two houses on which the valuation
was increased $500 and directly across
the street houses just like mine were left
untouched. The law gives the Com
missioners a right to assess property at
its full value, but know property worth
5000 that is now assessed for s., 600.
Why is this? / want my neighbOrs
assessed the same as myself"
Would it not be advisable for us to
appoint committee to confer and assist
the Tax Commissioners while they are
making the valuations of Lafayettef''
asked Counsellor Heck. THE ASSESS
ments and values viii undoubtedly be
increased this year, and 1t is apfty that
to equalize taxes. ~
10 CONFER WITH THE COMMISSIONERS.
A resolution was adopted that the asso-
citation, as Committee of the Whole,
confer with the Tax Commissioners, and
g transcript ef the records of their office
be made and discussed. The record will
not be complete before September
The association completed the COM
mittees and Mr.. Steffens reported that
the garbage being dumped on the mead
ows by the Lehigh Valley Company was
being covered by dirt. Mr.. Heck said
that he understood differently and that
garbage was exposed TO the weather,
which, when it becomes warm,
would make a bad smell. as bad as the
one at the foot of the Newark avenue
hill. The condition of Hall street was
complained of, and the association de-
cided to ask for the extension of Pacific
avenue to Garfield avenue although it
was feared that not enough names could
be secured for the petition.
Counsellor Heck reported that Assem-
blyman Erwin's bill preventing railroads
crossing street at grade was slumbering
in the committee. He thought this
wrong, for when the Lehigh VAL
ley is ready they will cross
several streets. The law at present, he
said, is such that permission must be
given by the city authorities to cross the
Streets, but that when railroad company
desired to do SO they never had any
trouble. The meeting then adjourned.
For MulOT:-- Robert DGUiS.