New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-07-29
BOODY TAKEN AT HIS WOhD.
TAX ASSESSMENT OF THE BROOKLiN ELE-
WAITED ROADS REDUCED.
ANOTHER EVIDENCE OF THE POWER OF THE
RING WHICH MAKES MAYORS TO ITS Lik-
ING" TONY" BARRETT BOASTS OF HIS


RING WHICH MAKES MAYORS TO ITS LiK'
ING" TONY" BARRETT BOASTS OF HIS
INFLUENCE ovEE THE CITY's HEAD.
Although Mayor Body appoints assessors IN
Brooklyn, il was shown yesterday that they do
not reflect his views in assessing properly ,or
purposes Of taxation. II became known after the
elevated railway companies sought 10 secure
reduction Of their valuation from S2O0,Oo" 10
81 7O.O 600 mile that the Mayor opposed any re-
ducti0n In order TO strengthen the argumcht
and appeal TO hc made to the Board Of As,e's'r'
on Thursday the men who control the BROOKLYN
elevated company-rcpreeentng powerful poll
ticans who desire for obvious reasons, to r't''ih
in the background while streets are goboch up
by the corporation-went TO the Mayor lie suc-
cumbcd to pressure sufficiently to authorize the
conveyance 70 the Board Of his desire that MS
opinion should have no weight whatever In de-
Gliding the matter.
Tony" Barrett. who controls the BROOKLYN
company in the interests Of the gang "hic"
evics tribute on the city in all directions, openly
boastod TO the assessors that he had caused the
Mayor TO abandon the position he had taken anu
withdraw any influence his opinion might nave
in the matter
The result Of this yesterday was that the AS
SCISSORS took H.. Mayor at his word and Responded
IN the wishes of the men who make Mayors ana
cause them TO appoint assessors. by Vo'e Vi
o 10 4 the Board of Assessment voted to reduce
the elevated railroad assessment from S2o"'ooo
10 $4,000.
Last year the assessed valuation was hAed al
5000 600 a mile II was supposed that this
would never be reduced. The falling OIL IN the
receipts due to trolley competition is the only
Too r.An
SCISSORS yielded to it, At the discussion III the
board yesterday President Thomas A. Wilson pre-
scntcd n tabular statement Of the falling OH.
Assessor Thomas J. Patterson made the motion
70 reduce the amount TO $4,000 a mile. lie
urged that it was question of right and not oi
policy and that the assessment Of the elevated
roads WAS out Of proportion to other property.
1t was the practice to reduce assessed values
he said when houses and stores were not rented
II this was taken into consideration, the elevated
roads were entitled to reduction.
An amendment 10 retain the assessment al $780,
oo0 :, mile was made by Assessor X. +. Il. Howe
lie urpel that the value of the elevated structures
and not their notwithstanding capacity was as
ses>cd The courts had not fixed the value oil
the property 10 hamper the assessors. last year
$500. 900 a mile had been offered for the struct-
ures. and allowing for depreciation. they wcr"
worth S3OO.ooO a mile to-day, and twothlrds
Of this should b. tn" basis of assessment. Inc
city growing rapidly; ana lututr s'Ihs ,' "
the companies would make up present losses
Even il the structure now being put mp cost
only $3.50 mile the vau" oi th' irahchis'
must hc considered in the assessment,
Assessor Kurth sustained Mr. Howcs Issue" am
said that the elevated roads IN Ncw-i 9rk were
assessed AT over $20O,00o II mhc, and there WIS
no complaint. &C., NJ, d. ,,o,
General James Meier and George W. Pnlmei
sunnnrfcd Mr. Paitcrson's motion. on me ."'bi'
,h.t the Arguments 'fos rs.ueiioh F"f' ui|
answcrahlc. ,..;o. o.
assessor b w Wilson supported the notion 20
retain the figures Of last years 10 'cS 'neho - -
foir and Ah>c-sor Ennis argued III opp1,itloh' III
The No,ng tlr Board wus divided ~ follows:
r. .,,,,,,o, Against reduction.
kufth.
ff,.u,,N' Wil-oI fDcnJamlnl.
Mcf"er. Low
MUMMY, iNS
Palmer.
Smith.
Patterson,
Mcnamara.
wilson Thomas AD
An effort 10 make the decision unanimous was