New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-09-22
PROPERTY OWNERS ANGRY.
GREAT INCREASE IN THE VALUATION OF
HOUSES AND LAND ON STATEN ISLAND
THE ESTIMATE IN MANY CASES TEN TINES
THAT OF LAST YEAR-UNFAIH DIS
ELIMINATION ALLEGED.


ELIMINATION ALLEGED
Many citizens of Staten Island are indig-
nant at the great increase in the valuation of their
property Tor 1875 over that of 1892 made by the
BOARD Of Assessors of Richmond County In most
cases the valuation is four five times that of last
year. and In many cases ten times the previous
valuation. Charles A. Il. Pratt, jr of the firm OF
Peckham & Tyler No. III Broadway. who is at,
torney for a large number of the property owners
of staten Island. was yesterday by a Tribune
reporter and made the following statement:
"a new Board Of County Assessors has been
created under chapter 4s9 of the Laws of 1892 Under
that law the assessment is to be made equal
throughout the entire county The commissioners
are Robert Moore. of Castleton; Paul V Masters
Of Nprthfeld; David Marsh. of Southheld; Pierce j.
Dunn. of Middletown and Abel Martin Of West
field Mr. Moore is the chairman
WHAT THE ASSESSORS SAY
THE assessors say that they are proceeding to
make the assessment for the entire county on the
basis of 20 per cent of the actual market value of
the property. 1t is interesting to note the changes
in the valuation from last year. James McNamee.
son-in-law of Commodore Vanderbilt has been
raised from 5000 to $4,000 one piece; G. A.
Grimes. from $4,000 to $4,000: James McNamee. on
another piece. from $500 to $1,000; Joseph V.
Lawrence. from $500 to 81 200: Mary II. Davis from
5000 TO $4,000; John \. Cisco. from 1880
$4,000: l.. A. Won Hoffman. 5000 to $4,000 George
IL Kendall. of the New-York Bank Note Company.
on one piece from 5000 to $1,000 on another
niece from $685. TO 81 O0 and still another piece from
$1,000 $4,000; Mrs. W. C. Ammon, from 1900
70 $1,000; A. l.. Barbour. of the Barbour Cement
Company. from $1,000 to $4,000: the heirs of Mrs
W. c. Ward from $500 to $4,000; the heirs Of
Jacob Vanderbilt. 5000 to $4,000 Hugh McRoberts.
a Republican of the island from $500 TO $4,000
"The majority of the above classed by the
Staten Islanders wealthy New-Y1rkers. ana live
on the hills surrounding stapleton and Clifton and
have large country residences. special strike
seems TO be made against these wealthy New-York-
ers In adjoining section where many of the
Staten Island politicians reside the following
instances. Philip Wolfe. 1892 200: 1893. $500 Sam
uel milford. 1892 81. 100; 1885, S4OO. Augustus Her
Manu. 1892 $500; 1898. $500 Michael Cah, 1892 $50;
1872 500 1t is apparent any acquainted with
values on Staten Island that thesa large owners,
whose assessments are given above, have been as
sessed on the fun value of their property. and in
many instances largely in excess of its present mar
ket value. The Board of Assessors met few days
ago for the purpose of hearing complaints from the
property own FRS. and their rooms crowded at
an early hour with Directing property owners.
THE TAX RATE IN FORMER YEARS.
THE tax rate in years has been from 10
per cent. What it will be this year is not yet
known. but 1t is apparent what II may mean 10
the property owner whose tax has been raised
from $500 $4,000. The assessors claim that in re-
o per cent of the marketable value of the prop
erty and in order to eqIalize things and st raise
the money required for 1893 it is necessary TO in
crease the valuation, and therefore they have de-
.ernined upon a basis of 80 per cent. But what the
property owner would like to know is how his as
sessed valuation can be increased ten or fifty
times
Mr.. Pratt said that his clients would appeal to
the courts if they did not get justice from the
board.
II is said that the assessment of the Rapid Tran
sit Railroad Company raised from $4,000" 10
SOOOa The Board Of Assessors will have meet
ing to-day. and Mr.. BOardman. Of the firm OF
Tracy Boardman & Platt, will appear before them
on behalf Of the railroad James McNamee. of No.
"a Nassau-st., whose assessments have been raised,
Is also attorney for large number of property
owners who think they assessed too much. The
members of the Board of Assessors think that the
Increased assessment will be a decided benent TO
the county Heretofore, they say. the assessments
have been made in 'haphazard way each town
having its basis of taxation. | nder this plan.
they declare, fdvorsm shown in all the
towns Any owner who thinks his property has
been uniustly assessed may have his assessment