The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-10-16
.l24 and I26 WEST 42D ST.,
Between Broadway and Sixth Az.
THE STATE TAX COMMISSION.
Complaints of Discriminat alton Against New
York and Brooklyn.

Complaints of discrimination Against New
York and Brooklyn.
The next Governor will have the appoint
ment In January OF three Tax Commissioners
for terms Of three years each. The Cover
nor's nominees must secure the confirmation
of the Senate and each receives a salary Of
$4,000 a year. with an allowance Of $500 addi-
tional for mileage and other expenses. The
State Tax Commissioners must visit Officially
every county of the State at least once in two
years. and prepare a written digest OF such
facts as they may deem most important for
aiding the Board OF Equalization In the dis.
charge Of its duties. The board is prohibited
from reducing the aggregate amount OF as
sessed valuations as fixed by the Boards OF
Supervisors or Of Estimate and ApportiOn.
ment. but may increase the same. The State
Tax Commissioners and the Commissioners OF
the Land Office con stitute the State Board OF
Equalization OF Assessments. the duty OF
which is to e~qualize the State tax among tho
several counties Of the State and fix the amount
OF real and personal estate on which the state
tax shall be levied in each county.
The State Tax Board meets at the office Of
the Secretary OF State in Albany on the first
Tuesday Of September in each year. Tho
present Commissioners. who were appointed
In January. 1890. are Martin Heermance OF
IOuBLhCCpDlCt VIM As OUhA u
Edward L. Adams OF Elmira. 1t is the matter
OF representation on this board which has for
many years caused a controversy in New York
politics that seems as far from settlement now
as ever. New York city. as Is well known. pays.
II not an inordinate certainly a large share OF
the taxes Of the State. To these New York con-
tributed last year 47.4 per cent. Of the total.
and Kings county contributed 1903 per cent
The two counties together paid nearly so per
cent. OF the total and yet they are unrepre-
sented on the Board Of Assessors. For years
New Workers have protested against this So
called discrimination. and the protest has been
most vigorous on the Democratic side usually
for the reason that New York and Kings ordi-
narily give Democratic majorities. but when;
ever a Democratic. Governor has been installed
shown and the New York Republicans have
Since the State Tax Commission was estab-
lished, in 1853, the alleged discrimination
against New York city has been pretty general
Twenty-eight years ago a NewYQrk represents.
one member ont OF three. and unable, there,
fore, TO influence the taxes. More recently, IN
sSSS' to Jo Fep4 a, MaSS Rev wee Yo REt but Ba ' Mr' cG MasGn,
though. O. resident OF New York city at INC
time Of his appointment, was formerly Tor
pointment, though credited TO New York. was
really an Orange county appointment a..
board appointed by Gov. Flower were Poqghi'
keepsie and Weedsport. As q matter Of fact.
what is now the borough Of Brooklyn has az
much reason to complain against up-SthIe
discrimination in the matter of state taTe3s
New York. for since the Foundation OF tte
commission Brooklyn has had one represent
lican Governor. Gov, Dix. In 1873.
The reason OF the apparent discriminating
against New York is imperfectly undSrhloOi.
though 1t ought to be known that as there arc
I've sGss s ID a. TO any. eyGefy k question rn4nI siae 'h p re S ldiio w.
Tax commissioners, local tax commissioners
In each OF the counties. fix the assessed Shluo
of property in each, subject to which Nalna'
lions the burdens Of local taxation are uis.
tributed. but the rate OF valuation Is not hIWhne
mung for instance. assess real estate a. Se
per cent. Of It's value; some, counties int ~
valuation at az. per cent. others put It ~ IN IN
New York the valuations OF real estate are
about 80 per cent. OF the actual selling NnInI;
Now that being the uniform rule. New ioLS
not favored by it either, until 1t comss 20
paying q share OF the State taxes; These
taxes must necessarily be distributed IN PthUs
State. and II is perfectly clear that u one cum
" has its real estate assessed AT ~ PEI cen,
OF It's real value and another county mas II IL
latter enjoys q benefit in Sinking some otits
State taxes. To obyiate this ,diriculty Ino
State Board OF Taxation exists. but its powers
ties where they are higher than the average,
but 10 increase the valuations OF those MIL
are below the average. New York ana hinSss
STATE eve B oa shes Of SH Ta sHGio adds a certain
amount to the New York and Kings yaination'
And thereby hangs the tale q ~
prospect OF a satisfactory determination o. me
tSs assssssd Y Value RS OF Of ali LINZ New YoTk real estat.
SstiOS va vas SSS6 .SSO.CE6 Gsd SSEtiiSaSi .s:1.
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