Omaha daily bee., 1891-05-30
WELL G. ouNDED KICK.
People who Want All Property to- BE
EGuitnhly Taxed.


A goodlv number Of the taxpayers Of the
Fifth ward met at Erfings hall last hight
for the purpose Of discussing the question of
assessment. Henry Ostnon was elected
chairman of the meeting. FRED Schnocke
said that the great di ific ulty wite the assess
mcnt is that the men with little cottages and
limited means pay the taxes, while corpor-
ations and wealthy men escape The time is
ripe for action. and If the assessors will not
do their duty the people must.
Assessor Franklin said that this year the
large property owners will be compelled to
pay their share of the tax, as he has assessed
according to value. Henry Osthotf said that
it is a well known fact that the cor
porations escape. The Thompson-H Hous-
ton light company that has prop
ertv worth sl.OOO,OOO is assessed on
a valuation of only $4,000. This ir decidedly
wrong nut what are we to DO; The city Eas
decided that no change can be made in the
assessment after it goes into the hands of the
commissioners.
Mr.. Osthoff thought the proper thing to do
would be 10 appoint committee to examine
the books of the assessor.
Assessor Franklin was on the floor in an
instant and said "You may appoint all the
committees you chose, but no committee can
examine my books | will let anv citizen see
the books, but no body of men shall see them
until they are turned over to the county
clerk
MIR Franklin thought the movement spite
work upo1 the part of Dick O'keefe and Jim
Connolly. They think they have pig by
the ear, but they will be fooled.
"Wny will you object to committee look
ng at the books r. asked Mr.. Schnocke.
~ understand it," responded Franklin,
but you can't fool me. Connolly has been
all over town reporting that my work is not
well done. He does this simply because l
discharged him. My reason for this was,
the man lives in the Sixth ward and there
was no reason why should hire him to help
me do my work when there are plenty of
good men in this ward that l can hire. This,
gentlemen, is not half that could tell you,
but it ought to be enough to satisfy you. |
will tell you, however, that you have got
fair and equitable assessment this year.
have taken into consideration the location
aud surroundings of the property
Last year" said Mr.. Schnockc, calvin
Saunders was assessed at 81, POO"
at is not so this year" continued Assessor
Franklin. when you see nv books, you will
see that Saunders is assessed at s35, 600, a. j.
Poppleton at $500 and Jim Brown at Sl0,-
COO. This am telling you but no committee
can come to my office and see my books
Won't you let three gentlemen look over
your booksrf asked Mr.. Daley.
mo, sir Gou can look over the assess
ment on YOUR lots, but you can't look after
any other lots,n continued Mr.. Franklin.
'Dlck o O'keetfes ruling, that property of cor
porations must be assessed in the ward in
which the Office is located. will result in this
ward falling short S?50,O ,O01F'
The meeting denounced the resolution Of
the commissioners in the most emphatic
terms.
Mr. Schnocke moved that committee of
three be appointed to see that all real estate
and personal property is listed for assess
ment The motion prevailed and the chair
appointed Messrs. Schnocke, Erfling and
Minnahan. AS soon as the committee can
learn whether or not the provisions of
O'Keeffe's resolution has been carried out
another meeting will be held to take prompt
action.