New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-01-21
ELEVATED ROAD TAXATION.
PRESIDENT BARKER REPLIES TO GEORGE
]. GOULD.
HE DENIES THAT THERE is ANYTHING PERSONAL
IN THE ASSESSMENTS BY THE COM
MISSIONERS.

MiSSlONERS.
The increase of the assessed realty valuation Of
the Manhattan Elevated Railroad from $l3ls4.7oo
last year s2 219 1896 be bitterly fought
by the Gouds George 5. Gould, according to THE
Herald" of Sunday made this statement:
Most certainly shall fight this Increased assess.
ment; it is unlawful and unjust: out Of all proper.
other New-York companies 1t is personal attack
on me; it is continuation of the unfair treatment
have been tryhs to a ona
sue 1 similar methods in each case knew three
weeks before 1t Vas announced through friend IN
to be made | am willing to bear my just pro-
portion Of personal taxes and that any corporation
proportionately any other corporation. but do
submit to taxation out OF all proportion
to what consider just
When the attention of President Barker. OF the
Tax Department, was called the subject yester-
day, he said:
Il have read the statement which has been attrb-
uted to Mr.. Gould think he magnfes his impor.
when he says that the increase In the assessed
valuation of the Manhattan Elevated Railroad Is .
personal attack on him. / under the impress
sion that made that fact quite clear to his counsel
when he was recently before the Tax Commissioners
for the purpose of the OF the Manhat
tan Elevated Railroad.
when Mr. Gould says that the Tax Commission
ers have been trying to find out every corporation
that he is connected with that they may pursue sim
admission. which, at this particular time. is edify-
ing. He appears to have demonstrated that his no.
ton Of citizens duty Is that he should only pay
taxes on property he may be caught WITH and that
the Tax Commissioners are engaged in something
disreputable If they try to find out what he justly
the city.
None of us are infallible as Mr.. Gould shows In
this case for what he says is not correct. and. In
fact IL is without Justification 1t may be that he
has been misled by his friend, who, he says, gave
him advanced Information 1t is something OF
tradition In the Tax Department that the Goulds
have for years had facilities in this respect ana
there Is no doubt the line of communication to
which he refers is still in working order Mr. Gould
is quite welcome all the information he may get
particularly that part which Is the truth.
II have had seven different associate Commission
ers since J came into the Tax Department., and
while they were Tax Commissioners there never
was other than unanimous action regarding tax
alton of the Goulds: consequently Mr.. Goulds per-
sonal attack must have been the combined work Of
eight Commissioners.
"At the Tax Department we have heard rumors OF
this personal attack before but have given no heed
its absurdity."
Jay Gould during his lifetime escaped personal
taxation some years entirely; and IN other years
being held at a comparatively small amount, re-
Piled Il have desire to discuss the transactions
Of the Tax Department prior to my becoming r sh
of the Gould taxation since that date. and the Com
bn soverneS S BY their Legal adviser and leave the
final Adjudication with the courts.
The Tax Commissioners are now sitting daily,
during Office hours. hearing applications Tor the re-
view Of assessments. II the Gouds desire hear
ing they will. doubt have one as they have been
annually since the death of Jay Could
The situation to the personal assessment OF the
Manhattan Elevated Railroad Company is as fol-
lows: ,e.. -
The company's personal property for 1874 was
placed al ST. $50 n2 The of this city affirmed
this valuation. When the case came before the
Court Of Appeals they returned II to the Tax Com
mssioners virtually approving their action but. to-
avoid any question of doubt, recommended re-
assessment on certain lines.
The Tax Commissioners gave Mr.. Gouid's lawyers
Il hearing and made a reassessment as recommend
ed by the Court and reduced the amount TO about
s1C,OO0.0C0 -,
The personal assessment for the Manhattan Ele-
waited Railroad for 1885, amounting to S16i9t.s9o Is
now before the courts
The real estate assessment OF an eieva.eo r9aas
ton, as fixed by the assessors and as yet unacteo
upon by the Tax Commissioners, amounts 70 W.