New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-08-02
NO TAX ON THE BEACH FRONT.
THE AsBURY PARK COUNCIL REFUSES TO
CONFIRM THE ACTION OF THE
1,rTv .gSESSOpe
CITY ASSESSORS.


Asbury Park Aug. l (specisD>-Tbere is a
brewing between the city assessors and the big
Taxpayers Of Asbury Park The impending con-
flct was precpita;ed at the executive session OF
the Common Council Thursday night, when the
councllmen met with the assessors and revised the
annual tax duplicates
The quarrel started when Assessor lie Roy an
nounced an increased assessment on the holdings
Of Founder Bradley. The extra assessment was
made on the almost priceless beach front property.
which heretofore has been exempt from taxation.
The usual assessment charged up against the
Founders" beach holdings was between si0o and
5000, and for personal property only. This
included 5000 the lighthouses and 1900 on the
large stock Of bathing suits.
Founder" Bradley is member OF the Common
Council When Assessor lie Roy announced the
increase OF $4,000 the beach property MI Bradley
was staggered He sat motionless for several min
utes then seized his Ia: and boted from the Coun-
ell chamber. 1t plain TO see that the Founder"
angry.
His fellow-Councllmen entreated him 70 remain.
bu, he refused II am going nome" the Senator
remarked, as he walked down the stairway. After
all have done for Asbury Park II seems shame
that ! should be treated in this manner
After the Founder" had departed the remaining
Councimen discussed the action OF Assessor Le
Roy The latter replied that he had taken an oath
to assess all properties equitaby, and that there
fore In assessing the valuable beach front really at
$50 900 ne was only carrying out MS sworn outy.
The Councilrnen debated the important question at
great length. Councli;nen Keator and Wilbur
argued THAI the beach front property should be ex-
emit from any taxation, because it vas really
public park and used for the amusement and benefit
of the people in general.
This argument proved TO be cincher' ana the
Conncinen voted 20 cut of the $4,000 Assessment.
The personal property Of the Senator on the DetcA
Is assessed at the Old valuation. 30 there f. 10
i'm he
Hal the $1,000 assessment stood senator Braliey's
additional TAX would have been SID. the present
tax rate being S22 OF sl.o". 49,, -. H.. ...-,-
Founder" Bradley. when asked to-day concern
ing the action Of Assessor lie Roy. was gnusuAiIy
ret.cent. He said. however tnat the people % As
done for the city in giving his beach fron tor puec
use his donation of property FOR parks anu IN otAer
the resort might grow and prosper Ana then added
10 this VAS the large amount ne ,, %as spsHllas q,.
and making it more attractive ana popular tHan
j. Frank Appleby a member Of the state Board Of
Education and large prOperty-owner IN tle ram
Sr AppIeby's office building in Mattison-lve. waa
one OF the properties which the assessment Was
total Valuation $1,000 The Councmen allowed the
new assessment 10 stand and the owner VIII appeal
get no reduction from the local Commissioners OF
Sir. Appleby is a warm friend Of Founder Brad
ley ard he expressed surprise that Asse ssor L. oy
had taxed N the Seae1 be Sd a the time lie
is human Ike the rest Of US: and Of course ifeis
these attacks. Suppose the Council had wanted ID
assess him fer his holdings on the beach? rms
was the worst year they could have begun. great
many strangers and summer visitors can ne IT,
duced 10 buy property in Asbury Park II they know
that the policy OF the place. as outlined by Mr,
bradley is TO be carried out But II they Learn
that he is to be antasOnzed they Will conclude q.
once that something is wrong and keep tneir
money. or invest 1t elsewhere Asbury PARK can
not afford 10 ignore the Senator. II ne inaH.
great deal Of money out of the beach then matters
would be different But. as 1t Is now, the repairs
he is making take all the gross receipts ana more
besides" 49,, ..., d.,
on the other hand. there are others who Gph0ld
the action Of Assessor Le Roy and condemn th"
action of the Councmen in cutting on the aSsfs-
ment OF $4,000 on the beach property. ,IEcy
argue that the beach Is more than self-sustainng.
in fact is a money-maker for the owner anl
therefore should be assessed the same AZ property
owned by less wealthy individuals II Is also con-
tended that single lots in Asbury Park. owned 9y
Others than Mr.. Bradley. are assessed q TWO.
thirds OF their value. while the realty holdings o1
the Founder" are, in many instances. assessed
in block far below their market value:
The tax problem will be considered IN open sts-
ceedingly lively time is anticipated