The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-03-26
MEETING OF OWNERS OF OVER-
ASSESSED PROPERTY.
A Largely Attended Meeting Saturday
Night ito Take Steps to Secure q
Reduction in the Real Estate Valua-
tions-.A Committee to Consult the
Council, Before the Courts are APP
peaied to--instances of UnJus'
Assessments.
Assessments.

The meeting held at the COM
mercial club rooms Saturday to take
action regarding the unjust work OF
the city council as board of eQualiZa-
tion was largely attended, fully
seyenty-fve property owners being
present, the majority being from tne
Fourth and Fifth wards.
The meeting organized by the cleo
tion of J. G. Wise, ST., chairman, and
E. F. Soaring, secretary. Mr.. Wise
briefly stated the object of the gather
ing. ....
At the suggestion of Robt. Roberts,
the chair appointed DR.. Webster
committee to find Attorney Young,
in order that the meeting might have
the benefit of legal advice. Mr., Young
could not be found.
Mr.. Wise said that it had been sug-
gested that committee be appointed
to meet with the council and ask it to
report the unjust advances to the
county board for abatement by it to
be certified to the state auditor for
his approval
Geo. H, Marsh asked whether the
assessment as whole is not too high
and ought not to be lowered half a
million dollars. In the townships,
land is assessed at not over S1l.25 an
acre on the average. This land will
sell for three times the assessed valua-
ton, as all of US understand. If the
real estate of the city is assessed at
third of it's market value, there is
an equality between city and county
assessments. Unless less money is
raised 10 this city by taxation than
during the last two years, there will
be collapse of values. A good deal
of land will be thrown on the market,
and at forced sale the prices will be
so small as to.be surprising to most
men. The assessed valuations in St.
Paul have been reduced one-fourtb,
and in Minneapolis one-third, and
largely in Duluth. In 1893, the popu-
lation of Sioux City was 43, 900, and in
1895 it had fallen to 1900. If man
has home half paid for and mort
gagged for the balance, and values col
lapse one-half, the home will be lost.
Alderman Andrews was present and
was called for. He said that if there
had been no street talk, this gather
ing is sufficient indication that it is
felt that an injustice has been done.
If there was an injustice, it was not
Intentional on the part Of the council,
which had tried to be fair. 1t was a
large work to properly equalize the
values, and good deal of time is re-
quired. l, as one of the council,
stand ready and willing to assist in
Fighting any wrong that may exist. ]
hope this meeting will not take Legal
steps too soon, but will give the coun
Gil an opportunity to act first.
R. D. Hubbard asked what was
taken as the basis of values.
Mr.. Wise replied that he had learned
from Aid. Zimmerman that it was
about one-third.
Aid. Andrews corroborated this, an6
remarked that it would take rea
estate man to properly decide on the
values.
Mr.. Hubbard said that on this basis
) the Hubbard Milling company be-
lieyed that it had grounds for griev
ence. Last year, the assessed valua
tion of the mill was S2S, 900, and thi,
year it was advanced to 49,, 200, ano
on the basis stated, the market valua
tion would be $685. 900. l would like tc
ask whether the mill property would
sell for that price. 1t is an old mill
built eighteen years ago, and we fee
that we are over-assessed. The Eagle
roller mill at New Ulm, with a daily
capacity of 800 barrels and storage
, capacity of 500, 1000 bushels, has an as
sessed valuation Of $40, 955. 1t was re
built five years ago and is modern, and
has one-third greater capacity ano
nearly three times the storage capa
city OF our mill. I hope that step.
l may be taken by which the wrong,
J may be rectified. Whether the court.
= are appealed to or by an uprising O
= the people, it should be done.
Mr.. Wise said that a COMMITTEE.
could reach the result desired better,
: the taxes become due, or if it fails t
] affect reduction by that time, it vii
t be time to 90 to the courts.
Mr.. Hubbard said that he had hear
: one alderman claim that his propeft,
: was damaged by the removal of th
Omaha depot. The same applies Il
e the mill. The old freight depot va
three blocks from the mill, whereas tn