New-York tribune., 1895-08-30
HOW PROPERTY SHOULD BE Assessed
TAX COMMISSIONERS INSTRUCT THEIR DEPUTIES
REGARDING THE PROPER DISCHARGE OF
THEIR DUTIEs-wARNED NOT TO

BE INFLUENCED.
The Tax Commissioners had all their oepu"es D
fore them In the presidents office yesterday anu
the latter received explicit Instructions WHICH ha'
,.or nrenared by President Barker. for their guid-
ance I'm making their assessments LOT tne c'ih's
year. After the instructions had been reau ny
Secretary Tyng. brief additional suggestions were
made by President Barker and Commissioners
sutro and Wells. in which the deputies were urged
- disn,av unusual diligence and faithfuiness
After insisting that the deputies should exercise
the greatest care to guard against unjust Vaiua'
tions the Commissioners in the instructions re-
ferred to say ,
your attention Is directed to the statute wherein
Il s stated that assessments shall, be made Dy the
deputies at a valuation as 'in their judgment INV
sum for which such property undeE oro'nafy u"
cumstances would SELL -,
guarantee to the single housecwner that ne wouid
not be Disseminated against. and that ne wouIu
stand on an equal footing OF fairness with the more
onmient holder OF real estate or with the property
holdings of large institutions. companies or cor
poratons ,, - =. ~ .
In this connection we desire to remind you OF the
desrablity of an equalization or valuations, anu
that the assessing OF property, real personal ana
corporations is not on the part of the city money
making scheme but to assess as the law directs:
and upon such assessments the puruen VI local
taxation may be equal!Zed.
and unimproved property taking into CONSIDERATION
the benefits which such property Is receiving from
the improvements that made around II, and as a
consequence the increments OF valuations 70 sucn
unimproved property. by reason OF these improve
ments that the adjoining property owners are maxi
ing.
There are in this city persons who make a ousl.
OF undertaking the reduction OF assessments;
they issue and spread broadcast circulars claim.
ing that by possessing special facilities and
years of experience" they are enabled to prepare
corporation returns and render other services With
the view OF obtaining a reduction or assessments.
We warn you particularly against these people:
they offer 10 self what they represent TO be their
influence and power In the Department to reduce
assessments They barter and sell your reputa-
ton and we warn you against them as Ii Ia our
determination to follow and. II possible, to expose
them.
Let your bearing and every act be sufficient TO
warn any and every against attempting TO
approach you or influence you in the discharge OF
your duty and should any person approach
is your duty to Immediately report the fact 10 the
Commissioners.
The Commissioners OF Taxes and Assessments
feeling the importance OF the responsibilities rest
ing upon them. call upon you for conscientious
discharge OF your duties in every respect with
discrimination toward none, with equalization
toward all. We believe that with the Depart
mcnt conducted on such principles results can be
produced that must. In the public estimation, re-
dound TO the credit OF all.
The deputies are required by law to begin their
field work." as the making of assessments IL
called on the first Monday OF September.