The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-03-31
JERSEY CITY'S GAIN
Proceedings at the State
Tax Boards Meeting On
Appeals Yesterday.
PRESIDENT SHAPES oUTBURsF
at the Way Local Asses
sors Make Assessments
Case Adjudicated.
PRESIDENT SHAPES oUTBURsT

AS the proceedings yesterday afternoon
OF the State Fax Commissioners, who sat
in the Assembly Chamber in the City
Hall, threatened to be of a humdrldm ma
trre, President A.. II Shape injected a
little excitement by abusing tht, local
Tax Commissioners and rating them for
doing precisely what the State Board had
directed them to do.
The ridiculous outburst occurred when
the appeal of ellison, Collins &
lumber merchants of Communipaw ave-
nue., was being heard. To stimat the
amount of their personal property and
that of others, the Jersey City Board Of
Tax Commissioners nave been in the
habit of sending to taxpayers d blank
asking for a statement of their personal
property for the purpose of ascertaining
information ON which a fair assessment
could be made. Inasmuch as the local
assessors have considerable trouble in
makin a fair estimate of personal prop
erty within the city and in order that no
injustice might be lone they asked for the
individual estimate of the pay
Should that long suffering gentleman re-
fuse to make-any reply to such a reason
able request the assessors make their
W stimat and reDort such refusal to
the State Board of Taxation in case the
taxpayer should appeal from the esti-
mate made.
This sensible way of doing business and
one which on its face commends itself,
didn't suit President Shape, who growled.
So, then, it means that the taxpayer
really assesses himself?'
Certainly not" replied Commissioner
James g. Clarke, 1--WE ask for informa-
ton to guide US in making our assess
ments.'
Mr.. Shape was bent on saying some
thing disagreeable and grumbIed at what
he called the loose methods of assessing,
property in Hudson county. The city
commissioners lawyers ana taxpayers
present smiled and as no one said any
thing IN reply the president cooled down
and COMMISSIONS Charles c. Black, who
does all the work, was thus permitted
to get through the business.
AS The News said, in Yesterdays
proceeding of the Board, the railroad
| property appeals, over which there was
anticipated a stiff fight, were transferred
to Trenton, under the act of 1854, which
on them. The city did not lose anything
by the property being cut off of the
it has simply carried the figures on its
books, but never received a cent from
the companies.
Among the property in the city to be
taxed by the State Board was that Of
the Central Railroad at two of it's depots
on the Newark and New York branch.
The land and depot at Arlington avenue,
measuring l1.S44 square feet, was assessed
at $500. The land and depot at West
Side avenue, measuring $500 square feet,
vas assessed at $40, $50. The State Board
will tax it at one and a half per cent,
and Jersey City will derive some benefit
from the assessment. On the other hand,
the Lehigh Valley mad consented to be
taxed on some of its property locally, and
this the city really gained by yesterdays
/ work.
Among the interesting cases of the af-
moons proceedings were the appeals
N the assessment on the estate Of the
IKE e. N. Wilson. An irregular piece of
property on Palisade avenue was taxed
at $40, 500; Baldwin Park, more common
sessed at 81. 600, and the handsome brown
stone mansion on Bergen and Bentley
venues was assessed at SIS. GOO. AL these
ngures were considered toe, high, and
figures We're considered too high, and Mr..
2. n. Wilson, asked that they be re-
duced.
Mrs. Kiersted displayed all unusual
amount of knowledge, for a lady, in real
| estate matters, and made an admirable
witness in more senses than one. She
| pointed out, with great clearness, the
defects of the Palisade aveniae property
and the Baldwin Park The Commission
ers We're so much impressed with her
4 - ulliSiltS llldt lleN IGQQGGQ Inc 1dllSaQG
avenue assessment by 5000 and that on
the Park by $1,000, making the one 5000
instead of $4,000 and the other SIG, 900 in
stead of $2l, 900. On the Bergen avenue
house the Board thought that according
to the surrounding values, the assessment
| of SIS 900 was not excessive.
Michael J. Curry owner pr No. 226
| Erie street, asked fer a Reduction on mis-
property which was assessed at $3.50. He
| wanted it reduced to $500. The lot cost
him s1,s50, and the house s11,n00. Lawyer
i ltnl1U S1i6 that the nrGlnrfN was q SSSSoNd
| at a higher rate than others in tie neigh
borhood. Commissioner Black thought
that the Board ought not to interfere for
so small a sum as $500, and the Board
1 louked at it the same way. Mr.. Curry
tried again on his house at No. go Erie
| street. assessed at $1,000. This sum he
was bought thirteen years ago for S 1000.
| No reduction was allowed. Mr.. Curry
made q thlrd attempt on his laouse at No.
assessed at $1,000. He asked for a reduc-
ton of $500: Mr.. Curry failed in this also.
ha Mlfha ae s, +; eonln o3a Is F appe sns s on q
teenth streets, assessed from 800 to S100,
purchased in auction in 1896 at $26 each.
! Mr.. Connolly was satisfied with assess
ment of last year. The Beard thought
in the matter of the assessment on mea-
dow lands where no Improvements had
been made and where there was a dis
| the owners SHOULD nave the benefit of the
doubt. The appeals We're laid over pend
/ lDS ill dujuSt1uGut Will Lille city.
Patrick Larkins bought a lot on Grove
| street for $3.50. He moved a three-story
| frame building on 1t and it was assessed
| at $4,000. He asked for q reduction to
| ST, 800. He had another petition for a
house on Fourteenth street. Commits
| sioner Black will examine the property,
1 and the appeal was accordingly laid over.
Charles H. Schmidt, owner Of lots No.
10, II and K, in Halliday street. Lafay-
cite. said he was. assessed at $4,000, 81. $50
and $500, respectively. He asked for a
reduction on lot 10 to 81. lido; on lot IL,
TO $500, and lot X to $500. BY consent
of city a reduction of $500 was allowed on
lot K; lot 10 was reduced TO 81, 500, and lot
IFS petition was dismissed.
Patrick Rooney sought a reduction on
houses Nos. 1856, SS4, 1852, $50, 37S, S76, S74
He az led to nave them reduced to $1,000.
On No. III Bay street, assessed at $4,000,
he wanted the assessment reduced to
$1,000. Mr.. Rooney was very leaf and
didn't precisely comprehend what the
Board was sitting for or what course he
should pursue. Judge Garrick took hold
of the case.
Who lives in that house?'' asked Judge
Blair, pointing to a map of the property.
self" said Patrick.
Are they full all the timer asked
Judge Blair, abiding to the other houses.
mo, the tenants are said Rooney.
The matter was laid oVer until Mr..
i Loves return.
Henry F.. Knapp, who was assessed on
whole plot on Factory street for 500,
city offered to reduce it I'd 1925, and Mr..
Knapp walked Off with a smile on his
6. G. and w. B. Steele. owners Of No.