New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-05-01
TIE LAST DAY or "SVE4RING OFF,
PRESIDENT BARKER THINKS THE CONSCIENCE:
AND HONESTY OF TAXPAYERS ARE
Al A DIStOI-N-

.
AND HONESTY OF TAXPAYERS ARE
Al DISCOUNT.
Yesterday the last day for those taxed on
their personal estate to apply for reduction or
exemption. and the crowd WAS large and persistent
Never before IN tho recollection OF the Oldest en-
ployc OF the Tax Depar;ment-and some OF them
have been there for twenty years-have such scenes
been witnessed have taken place there In the
las, seven days. The army OF persons who. on
January 10 last received notices OF personal assess
mcnts and have kept the until this time. con-
siderng such notices. some OF them said. as jokes
have done their best TO get before "A Tax Comrnls-
sioner and. by oath and the most solemn protesta-
tons have furnished assurances that they were
scraping along on the ragged edge OF impecunosly
one Of the Tax Commissioner. said the other day
that II % per cent Of the oaths made at the Tax
Department true the people OF the city OF
New-York are on the danger line OF bankruptcy.
President Barker. who has given his undivided
time and best thoughts TO the question OF taxation
for the last five years. looked weary and careworn
yesterday, and. with sigh said Never before
was my faith In the honesty OF human nature so
shaken a al this moment, after witnessing what
have during the last four months CONSCIENCE ana
honesty apparently at discount. ana an expert
here would Justify the belief that perjury Is at
premium. -, -,
This year nearly every liquor and beer dealer has
asserted that the enforcement OF the Sunday laws
and the Raines bill has ruined his business ana
consequently that his debts proponderats o.
When asked a to the probable tax rate for 1896,
Mr. Barker said that there had been so many pre-
diotons In regard TO IT, with the genera impression
that IL will be above per cent, that ne preferred
offer imaginary figures. The large increase
in the budget and consequently the amount made
necessary TO be raised BY taxation indicated an In
crease in the tax rate.
Just before the close OF business at the Tax De
partment yesterday spruce-looking young man.
in the uniform OF the Salvation Army. appeared at
the Tax Department In the Stewart Building and
served paper on President Barker. II turned out
to be an application signed FREDERICK de Latorr
Booth Tucker Comma nder of the Salvation Army,
asking that Nos l2O, l22 and l2I West Fourteenth
St, known the Salvation Army's Headquarters
in NewYork. be relieved OF the assessment OF
$4,000 placed against II by the tax officials for
the current year. Mr. Booth-Tucker's ground for
asking that his heaquarters be exempted from
taxntion that the building was used for re-
llgious purposes lie stated also that it was ex
empted last year after a hearing.
MIR Booth-Tucker Is mistaken about the Saliva
ton Army headquarters being relieved from taxa
ton last year." said President Barker after read
ing the paper served on him. darlington Booth,
Mr.. ooth-Tuckers predecessor never made such
a request"
Booth-Tucker's petition was filed with the Real
Estate Bureau OF the Tax Department. II Is no.
likely TO be granted.