New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-02-18
APPEAL FOR EQUAL TAXATION
OFFICIALS AND BUSINESS MEN BEFORE
A LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE.


MAYOR wANsER SUPPORTS IT WITH CON-
vINc1NG sTATIsTICs-THE RAILROAD
LOBBYIST PLEADS FOR MORE
TIME AND GETS IT.
Trenton. Feb Il (SpecaD.--A large delegation OF
representative Jersey City men. beaded by Mayor
T. f. Wanser. came here this afternoon for the
purpose Of supporting Assembly bill NO J.. provid-
ing for equal taxation. Among those comprising the
party were Joseph y. Dear, j. j. Detweiier, H. V.
Condict Alderman Simpson, ". H. Spear, Mungo
Currier Chauncey Holt. Myron Furst, George Nc
EVAN Dr. l. ~ Quimby, William f. Midiedge' C. C.
Black John p Landrlne and Frank Stevens.
There was some Lively sparrins over the method OF
procedure 10 be observed in the hearing. Assembly
man Queen who introduced the bill, proposed that
those in favor of the bill should have two
hours for argument, to he aiternated with an equal
amount OF time to be occupied BY Mr.. Allen. the
agent Of the railroad companies. Mr. Allen asked
that the argument of those favoring the act be pre-
scented as a whole and then he would reply In OK
tenso Chairman Lower had still another pan, but
at last after some additional argument by both
sides It was determined to open tie hearing
MIR. QUEEN EXPLAINS HIS BILL
Mr. Queen began his argument by giving con-
else explanation Of the objects of the bill no mad IN
,roduced He said that 1t was in no sense political
measure; II 80 considered. he was willing to with
lraw
other bill on the same subject to be introduced by
Republican member. 1t was he said. an act that
MAS supported by all the prominent men OF Hudson
County, irrespective of party ana l@f r NOR
Republicans than De nOcrats would DE touhu 70 DE
>fr,n believers in It's provisions The Board OF Trade
OF Jersey City and the Good Government CLUBS or
Hudson County were DESTROYS OF seeing It passed
Therefore. there no element OF personal glory
In his advocacy he simply thought he was doing Lis
duty toward the people Of Jersey city in particular
and of the state in general iie explained that lne
bin dld not affect disturb the present machinery
NJ cstt
by that OF 1855 The bill. he said, proposes 10 make
abroad property subject TO tho same rae Of taxa
Kan as hal OF nGivluais and other corporations.
Oae-half Of l per cent on each dollar OF valuation
under ne existing law and the balance VII! be
applied 10 uses OF the taxing district In which the
property Is located
THE BILL WOULD BENEFIT THE STATE.
Mr.. Queen presented and explained voumlnous
table showing the benefit thai would accrue to each
county In the State should his bill become "A law,
there being but twenty four townships which would
not be thus enriched. The grand total of this IN
creased to localities would be about Si.@"yp.
lie then read letter from Charles J." Corb-n me
well-knOwn lawyer. VINO nad expressed M h'"h-
ton Of appearing personally before the committee,
Mayor Wanscr vas Introduced by Mr. queen and
made brief statement OF his views a. follows:
mn 9 nG o !" 4- y" ag 5 on ha Sen 81 an S
overwhelming sentiment II that city In favor OF
equal taxation. Jersey cry Is the udcwater ter
minus Of INC Western world. ana win me keep,
ton Of the Now-Nork Central l.alIToad system an
have taken up pra ,tcalN all Of the valuable front
which should belong 10 the city and The public.
have been unwilling 10 bear their just proportion
Of the burdens of our local sovcrn'n'nt have pre-
Of great use think TO your committee in reaching
ii just conclusion Of the whole matter.
SOME CONVINCING STATISTICS.
THE totaIarea Of Jersey city Is about 1895 acres
OF this land lis have teen taken up by the
railroad companies. and this amount is yearly in
al val u n. n he
city as fixed by local assessors. amounts to 5000
OJD. tn. value OF the property within the c.ty limits
assessed for railroad purposes j. about S'-''t"t II
this property assessed ~ other property IL as
sesscd the revenue 10 Jersey city would amount TO
over ssCovo year; as matter Of fact Jersey Clty
receives only about $25.0U year, 80 that our city
loses through the lack u equal taxation. !SJVDJ a
.'This has n serious effect upon the other real
estate our rate a, the present time Is 81 ~ thou
sand II the railroad property were assessed In the
same manner as me ot!'I Iiop'i,y our laA rag, ray,
would bc considerably less IMAM per cent az
course such reduction in the tax rate would
within the city. Again. II the railroad COMPANIES
they would take an Interest ia me cliy government
and exercise "A salutary eject thereon In the dlr'c
can can be- seen hy iis present working Jersey cry
has a large debt resting upon it, When his debt
limits was subject thereto by Tho workings Of the
present tax law whenever "a 81 Gee OF property 81
security Of the bondhollcr. OF the clty IS taken
away and the burden of the remaining property
IN the matter asks simply for exact justice, and
comes to this Legislature with the hope that such
viii be accorded It.
VIEWS OF BUSINESS Men.
H. V Condlct followed. making sorne~ hat SINH
lar argument. going over the whole subject ana
producing a personal bin to show the existing
inequality between the amounts assessed on indi-
viIuals and the railroad companies Joseph \.
Dear wa the next speaker Hc confined himself 20
statistical review of the subject quoting nom ih"
r.u.rtr Of tn Railroad Commissioners a. New
York Illinois. Massachusetts ana ohio. AMI shoH-
Ing by comparison how small a tax was levied upon
tho railway corporations OF Ne"- Jersey " J.. NJ
sagc Of the bill. Myron j. Furst followed with a
statement Of the case from merchants point of
view. while Chauncey Holt touched on the geo
graphical aspect OF the question.
LOBBYISTS ARGUMENT
This closed the side Of the supporters Of the bill.
and Mr. Allen then arose. with View 20 securing
n rostponement to a future day. lie was not pre-
pared 10 argue the matter properly. and wished
time to thoroughly sift the arguments presented.
He attempted TO explain the methods pursued by
tn. State Board In assessing railroad
valuations but was continually Interrupted by a
Volley Of questions fred at him by the Jersey City
delegates. Ia reply 20 Il statement made by Mr..
railroad property since 1854 Mr. Allen stated that
the Board In question had since mat date added
over S-,oooOo 20 the taxes Of the corporations he
represented. After pressing hard Tor further time
the chairman Of the committee adjourned the hear
ing until next Thursday afternoon.
INDICTMENTS LOOSELY DRAWN.
THE EAST RUTHERFORD PooI~sELLERs MAY
ESCAPE on TE"HNICALITIEs WILLIAMS
ACQUITTED or MURDER
Hackensack Feb II (spcclaD.-In the Bergen