Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-11-11
BOOMING THE VALUES.
Assessments in Allegheny are Being
Increased Fifty Per Cent.
ALL OWNERS ARE TOUCHED ALIKE
Government Site Bidders Taken Up at
Their Own Figures.
TWILL CAUSE A MUCH LOWER TAX LEVY

Notwithstanding the defeat of the pro-
posed bond issue in Allegheny of $3.50, 900, a
plan has been put in operation by which the
many needed improvements will be made at
the expense of the taxpayers. The triennial
assessment of real estate has been increased
on an average of 80 per cent, and in some
cases as high as 100 per cent. The
consequence is that the citizens
are focking before the Board of Appeals
with both hands up in holy horror, asking
an explanation of this marked increase in
assessment of valuations. The Board of
Assessors explain as best they can, but to
many it is past understanding, and the
atmosphere about the City Hall has been
ladened with coloring of blue, caused by
expletives uttered by dissatisfied property
owners. Some accept the increase with good
grace, realizing that time at last sets all
things even. and their extra expenditure
will come back to them in the future, by
other means.
A DISPATCH reporter called at the As
SCISSORS Office yesterday afternoon, and one
OF the board took pains to show him COM
parative statements of last year and the
present one. He acknowledged that there
was big increase, but the assessments had
been figured out and made exactly in ac-
cordance with the past years sales of
property at so much per foot. 1t is the ab-
solute sale, not the valuation of the owner,
upon which the assessment is made.
Postoffice Site Bidders Caught.
Take, for instance, property on Federal
street. Last year some of it in the business
portion was down on the books at $500 per
foot, but the advancement of valuation has
caused this to run up to 81, 300 or more. In
fact, the people who offered Government
building sites at $1,000 and $1,000 a foot
front have been so assessed, although these
properties were down year ago at 5000 and
$500 foot.
Take few lots of 60 feet depth on sher-
man avenue. Their assessed valuation was
last year put down at Sc, 800; now the same
real estate is recorded on the books at S14,-
200. This is an increase of trife
over 100 per cent. On the corner
of Federal and Robinson streets a
lot which figured on the assessors books at
$1,000 last year is now $4,000, Robert Car
sons lot on the same street was IS, 600 now
it is S17 200. On the swell residence ave-
nues, such as Lincoln, Ridge and Sherman,
every lot has advanced accordingly. Henry
Phipps, Jr,s lot alone, on the corner of
Ridge and Irwirfavenues, last wac assessed
at $4,000, the same property is now
on the books at S33,950. Some lots in
Stockton avenue carried an assessed value
OF IS, 600 last season, now the owners will
have to pay taxes on property worth S19,-
200 The assessors claim there is no dis
elimination as to property holders, and
each one is entitled to equal rights. In
the place of this, however, it is said that
certain property on Observatory Hill,
carried $4,000 assessment last year, and
now it has jumped up like paying oil ter
rltory to the sum of $4,000.
Difference in Eleventh Ward Property.
Another instance might be cited in the
Eleventh ward, where the assessors have
erred if they base the levies on valuation or
actual sales of real estate. The Ridgeview
Land Company had big bunch of land
there, upon which was only an assessment
that there have been 5Ox15O-foet lots sold
from this tract at as high as $1,000 apiece.
Others commanded 81, 600, and so on.
On California avenue, where $4,000 is
hoped to be expended In Improvements, the |
residents are Indignantly objecting to the |
increase of assessment, but it |
is thoug hit that after while, when the |
neighborhood is made passable, no further |
objections will be made, they realizing the |
benefit derived from the change.
While the reporter was examining the |
Assessors books c. f. Newmyer, of Poplar
street, came in and expressed himself |
as only one of the many kickers |
He said his property only cost him
81 200, while the board had him down as the |
owner of 81, 700 lot. This he considered |
exorbitant, saying that it was $500 more |
than any other property on the street, pro-
portionately speaking. The small owners
Are the ones who are airing their views |
with more animated vim, but the assessors
say the millage will be decreased. Last |
year it was about IA mills, but during the
next season it will hardly get above mills, |
This ought to, they believe, in a great |
measure satisfy the people in the fact that |
t will materially lessen the present taxes
imposed upon them.