The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-08-07
BIG CUT IN VALUES
CITY BOARD OF EQUALIZATION
REDUCES ASSESSMENTS 80
PER CENT.
Difference or s2s,7oo,ooo.
DOUBTFUL IF THE STATE BOARD
WILL ACCEDE TO SUCH A
MOVE.
NEW BOOKS FOR THE SCHOOLS.
Chicago Bible In the List Adopted
Vacation Observation-Disclosures
apolis Matters.
DIFFERENCE OF s2s,7o0,oo0.
JEW BOOKS FOR THE SCHOOLS,

The city board of equalization ac-
ceded to the demands of the board Of
trade and Taxpayers league commit
tee, and passed resolution reducing
the real estate valuation of the city 80
per cent. This action was taken while
the board was in executive session.
and with but little adverse discussion.
The present assessed real estate
valuation of the city is $40, 200, 900. The
proposed reduction of 80 per cent will
amount in money to about $23, 700, 000
and the difference between the two
sums is $45, 100000, the valuation after
the reduction had been made The
assessed valuation, including both real
and personal property, after the reduc-
ton, would be $107, 1923 ,O00
THAT proposed reduction of 80 per
cent" said City Attorney Plummer
yesterday, sis pretty good advertising
for the city of Minneapolis; but I am
strongly inclined to think that the
state board of equalization will never
allow it. 1 regard the present city
board as the most honest and consci-
entious body of a like nature which
ever convened in Minneapolis. Their
work has been thorough and pretty
near correct in every detail The state
board will realize this when the matter
comes before them, and I feel that
they will uphold the original assess
ment by this board. 1 am glad the
matter has taken this turn, however,
for it will give us little rest, and
when the state board acts it will put
permanent quietus on these protest
ing committees.
There is, however, considerable
doubt in my mind, as to what the
state equalizing board will do" said
Mr.. Plummer. "By accepting the re-
auctions made by the boards of Min
neapolis, st. Paul and Duluth it would
mean that the assessed valuation
would have to be increased upon the
towns and villages of the state. It
happens that the three cities have but
three members on the board, out of the
sixteen. The other thirteen are apt
to work for the interest of their differ
ent Communities. I expect, however,
that some reduction will be made.
Il am not able to see, in case the 80
per cent reduction is allowed, how
Minneapolis, for example, is going to
complete the Improvements she has on
hand
There is another thing that some
of our people do not seem to under
stand, and that is, that since 1888, there
has been a steady reduction of the as
sessed valuation of the city. In this
time, the valuation of the city has in
creased 100000 while our population
has increased $4,000. Twenty-three
years ago the average assessed value
of the buildings of the city was placed
at $1,100, now it is placed at 5000 in
spite of the fact that most Of our ele-
CANT buildings have been built In that
time. Twenty-three years ago the tax
rate was per cent, now it is 2 per
cent. The cut as proposed amounts to
$27,000,000 in Minneapolis; 1928, 000, 900 in
ST. Paul and $S,OOO,0O0 for Duluth,
which would have to be realized from
the rest of the state. l feel quite GER
tain, however, that these figures will
not be accepted"