New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-06-26
MORE TAX SUITS BROTGHT.
THREE wRITs OF CERTIORAR1 GRANTED
ON NORTH TARRYTOWN ASSESSMENTS.


At q special term Of the Supreme Court. in White
Plains yesterday, Justice Dykman granted three
applications FOR writs OF certorar directed 10 the
assessors OF the village OF North Tarrytown. Tho
principal applications made by Howard II.
Morse and Harry T. Dykman. on behalf OF John
D. and William Rockefeller The third was made
on behalf Of William II. Douglass OF this city. who
recently purchased the Henry l.. Douglass estate
in North Tarrytown.
This is the second suit the Rockefelers have
brought against the village OF North Tarrytown,
one being pending over their 1897 assessments and
makes the fourth proceeding In which they are
Involved concerning their tax assessments In
Westchester County. A similar action was brought
last year, and Franklin Couch Of Peekskill. was
appointed referee to take testimony in the matter
but no hearings have been held. the lawyers
considered It advisable to await the decision OF
the referee in the concerning the 1897 vaua-
tons in Mount Pleasant Township.
In the petition for the present writ John d
Rockefeller stated that his assessment WAS illegal
because the did not ascertain by diligen
inquiry all the property and names OF all tho per-
taxable: that they aid not prepare an assess
ment roll and set down therein. in manner and
| form. the matter and things required; that they
did not assess the real property Of non-resldents
TO the occupant. and they did not designate the
real property OF nonresidents as required by law.
SIV acres ana bulIuHss ~ erroneous Dy reason OF
generalization to the extent Of Nu.7u. To prove
tndt MS property is unrlGdIy assessed, MI ROcke-
teller has cited fifteen instances In which he be-
licves property has been undervalued.
William ROckefeleTs petition is similar in the
main 70 his brothers. and further states that no
attempt was made by the assessors 10 distinguish
his land by proper boundaries or In any other
way as the law requires; that they did not even
attempt TO obtain correct Information In regard
TO the matter. and that they failed to observe the
requirements relating TO the realty assessments OF
non-resdents. not only In his case but In others.
He claims that his assessment Of $4,000 Is erro-
neous TO the extent Of & 90.
William II. Douglass, who Joins the Rockefeers
this year in their tight for lower assessments. two
weeks ago purchased the Henry 5. Douglass
estate In Prospect HILL North TarrytOwn, for $50. =
600 although II is assessed for $3s 900. which the
SCISSORS refused to reduce. The wrts return
able in the Supreme Court in Poughkeepse on
Saturday. July 8.
! An important hearing in the OF William
| Rockefeller against the assessors OF the town OF
Mount Pleasant concerning his 1891 assessment,
was held on Friday. before Willis S. Hoysradt. OF
| Winfield. Daniel Eads John Easter and John Will
Jams testified that Michael J. Martin. the chair
man Of the Board OF ASSESSORS when he was a
candidate FOR election In 1896 had made speech
before the Independent Coored Club OF Tarrytown,
| In which he said he intended taking the OF
the poor and placing them on the rich. naming the
| Rockefellers. who, he said had bought up large
| tracts OF land and hemmed the village IN
! The final hearing IN the will be held to-
! The case Will then be submitted TO Mr. Hoysradt
| for his decision. This is expected before the 1898
roll Is completed in August. and will. OF course,
determine this years valuations
on Thursday next the case OF John d. Rookie
| Teller will be opened.