The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1894-06-13
The LAUGHON AARON
Baldwin of Republican
Fame Caused ExCitemet
in Hoboken.
MADE A BIG FINANCIAL DISCoYERI
But the Bubble Burst When Mayor
Pagan and other Off
Gals Explained.
MADE A Big FINANCIAL DISCoYERI

Somebody whispered in the right ear OIL
President Baldwin of the Hoboken Tax
Board a few days since. that the board had
made a stupendous blunder in neglecting to
provide i'll appropriations for $4,000 worth
of Improvement certificates falling due this
year. Mr.. Balwin was alarmed for he had
thought the Tax Commissioners of 1894 came
out of the struggle with a spotless record
Mr.. Baldwin began to lose too much SLEEP
over it and to obviate further suspense
he called a meeting for last night,
Some of the Commissioners who res
pended to the call knew what was on
the taps, others were merely eager to know.
The financial department. of Hoboken was
represented by City Treasurer Smith, Col
hector OF Revenue Bowes and Comptroller
Kaufman, and Mayor Pagan was there to
see thatsthe commissioner handled the mat
ter correctly.
Mr.. Baldwin stated that he had been in
formed that theI were $4,000 worth of
Improvement cert which would fall
due this year, and that there was not suffi-
eient money in the city's Golfers to redeem
them.
That's news to me-" CALCULATED Mr..
Braun.
LIZ UOIA yOu Uhnbs uOAAO oh0 NN"E
"a citizen and a taxpayer, that's as much
as I can tell you" answered Mr.. Baldwin.
MAYoR FAGAN EXPLAINS.
"Rather indefinite | should say" said the
Mayor, 'seeing we are most of us citizens
and taxpayers. However, this matter does
not concern this board"
A look of commingled dismay and disap-
pointment over-shadowed Mr.. Baldwin's face.
and some of the commissioners began to smile
a bit.
The Mayor continued: ''There never has
been anything done by Tax Boards regard
ing these certificates, as there is generally
money that comes in in time to meet them.
Anyhow these certificates were issued two
years ago and are not due yet. Last night
800, 600 worth fell due. The Tax Commits
sioners did not bother about them and since
then over $4,000 worth have been redeemed
with different moneys collected through the
Martin Act Commissioners and other
sources" o.
Treasurer Smith said that whoever told
Mr.. Baldwin that yarn made a mistake. sit
is not correct in any shape or form, hhe said.
"We ave not $500 0 worth of improve
ment certificates out to begin with, but
there are issued $4,000 worth which are
not all due yet. There are nearly $4,000
worth due, for the rest are provided for by
money in the treasury. We can't tell when
those certificates will be presented. The
CGI UlICdlS OUduCS hiU / o+ldAA 10 ACIOCIllCo III
two years, provided the money is collected
on the improvement. The city is able to re-
deem as the certificates come in. The
Tax Commissioners need not be worried
over this. If the city is unable
to meet the certificates it does not come
under this boards jurisdiction because it's a
lien on property. The property which such
property owner fail to pay the assessment
for the improvement he must pay his share
of the z per cent. on the certificate. If not,
the city pays 6,per cent"
"What will you do when the certificates
come duea' asked Mr.. Baldwin.
PAY them out OF the general fund"
Commissions Stuart was4tired and said
the Tax Commissioners need not concern
themselves. "We're not the Grand Jury"
he said. q
eve only want to see that the finances of
the city are in proper shape returned Mr..
Braun. He thought it would be well to sug-
gest to the next Tax Board that they look
after the matter hereafter. 1T
81 don't think they'd like that" answered
Stuart. "We have nc authority tomake
suggestions to them.H. u 10
CONTROLLERS STATEMENT. Jh
The Comptroller stated that there are
Sl16, 673. 50 worth of improvementcertidcates
outstanding. There is a balance in the city
treasury to meet them of s67.212. IA and
confirmed, that is. they rare inn
p~rovements going on yet, making
$50, $3.50 due. Then there's some
money collected through the Adjustment
Commissioners not credited to funds and
other money not yet collected, which would
reduce the figure to nearer $4,000.
Mr.. Bowes said the uncollected improve
ments were $40, 1874; there are $18,6S6
worth of improvements now being made,
and the receipts on hand are S67, PIP. Il,
making a total due of 81, 3S7. SO, which the
Commissioners Of Adjustment lave taken
care of. The Commissioners were satisfied
that everything was all right ard ad-
iourned