The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1894-09-13
State Tax Commissioners
Dismiss the Appeal
Against the Five Per
Cent. Increase.
JERSEY CITY RATABLEs NOT Low
Evidence That the Work Of the
County Board Was Fair-Mr.
hlinturn's Trick.

Qdl, the 0ldte IdA COMMISSIONERS gu
journed to the office of Mr.. Black,
where the testimony of both sides was
carefully considered. President West, it
is said, made gallant fight for Hobo
ken insisting that addition of two
per cent to its ratables was all that
could be consistently imposed. Mr..
Blacks view of the case, however, was
regarded by his colleagues as being more
likely to be correct than theirs, he being
more familiar with valuations in the
county. He insisted .that the 5 per cent.
increase ordered by the county should
by all means be sustained. He carried
his point. and Hobokens protest was
dismissed. The County Boards order will
now be carried into effect.
THE FINAL HEARING.
The hearing of Hobokens protest
against the addition of per cent. to its
ratables. as prepared by Assessor James
Z. Dollard. before the State Board of
Taxation, was concluded yesterday after
noon Two things were noticeable in
City Attorney AIinturns cross-examina-
ton of witnesses which brought ON him
severe criticism. One was that he made
every effort in his power, assisted by
Mayor Pagan, to show that Jersey City's
valuations are ridiculously low. Another
was the trick of endeavoring to carry
his point on the low valuation claim by
drawing into the dispute the homes or
rented property of Democratic officials,
including in his list Governor Werts, ex-
Governors Albeit and Bedle. ex-Mayor
O'Nefn and several other prominent ex-
officials whose names will appear later.
He evidently intended showing that poll
ties governed to an extent the assess
ment.
The members of the State Board saw
through the dodge, but allowed him to
proceed undisturbed. While they We're
not pleased with Mr.. Minturn's tactics.
they also had a rod in pickle for the
local Tax Commissioners. 1t appears
that it was mutually agreed that the Ho-
boken officials should have access to
Jersey City's assessment books at any
time for the purpose of drawing com
parsons of valuations in the two cities
When the State Board met in Hoboken
recently the local assessors were sum-
moned to appear and produce the assess
ment books The summons was ignored.
Subsequently Mr. Minturn's assistant
Was even refused the right to inspect
the books Mr.. Minturn said that the
stand taken by the Jersey City assessors
indicated that they were afraid of
comparison of valuations. concluding by
declaring that the act had deprived
him of the power of properly preparing
his case.
ONE FOR THE ASSESSORS.
President West. of the State Board,
and also Mr.. Black, took sides with him.
and in plain words declared that in future
such an act would not be tflerated, even
if it was found necessary to invoke the
cid of the courts in commanding obedi-
ence.
This declaration made the local assess
ors feel blue, and it was thought that
the 5 per cent. increase ordered in Ho-
boken would be set aside. If it is, there
will be lively scratching to keep the tax
rate down to where it was last year.
Mayor Wanser and everyone else con-
cerned do not like to consider the conse-
crences of an Increased tax rate. But
if the County Board is not sustained, to
avoid an increase is an impossibility.
MIR. CLARKE ON THE RACK
Tax Commissioner Clarke was kept on
the witness stand two hours yesterday
afternoon He was submitted to Sc
we're questioning.
How much is the property of ex-
President of the Board of Finance John
Edelstein at Grove street and Pavonia
avenue assessed for;'' asked Mr.. Min
turn.
81 think s25, ,OO0," was the reply.
"Do you think it is really worth as
much as that?"
yes"
How do you fix a value on it?"
..Wen. by allowing $1,000 for the land
and $4,000 for the building"
sYou have never had anything to do
with real estate in Jersey City, have
you?'
mo- sir"
Doesn't your judgment tell you that
the lot alone is worth $4,000 and the
building about sso,Ooo?.
II believe s25OO0 fair assessment"
.Do you consider s25,ooo the full value
of the property?'
"Yes."
"As to the Park House corner, do you
consider $4,000 the full value of that
property, particularly from your way of
isyyfng an assessment
81 do
MAYOR FAGAN'S OFFER.
ssWell. you may tell John F. Madden,
ex-President of the Board of Street and
water Commissioners. that I will give
him $4,000 for it" interrupted Mayor
Pagan
"How much is the Furst building as
sessed for?" asked Mr.. Minturn.
1--WE have valued it at $52.50o.' replied
Mr.. Clark: Originally it was assessed
for s55ooo, but the State Board reduced it
:, to $50, 500"
Mr.. Minturn. realizing that he was on
dangerous ground. dropped c. Blanket
Furst and his building at once.
eE1ow about that big building of John
Mullins. which extends through from
Newsaxfy avenue to Railroad avenue?"
~ s.ns assessed for sS5.000, and do
nrs believe that If it were offered for
sale tomorrow it would bring that sum. :