New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-06-02
FRIDAY,
JUNE 2, 1899.

iieve that there actual increase Of nearly
soo0oo.0Oo but that 1t necessary TO put an IN
crease on? Alt was necessary TO equalizs under
was wa f Increased dp IN y Se sS m ~
Q-Exacty. to equalize the other boroushs' ~
Q'-This additional figure was put on, not pri-
marily because the values had increased but pri-
marily because under the provisions of the char
ter. 1t was necessary TO eQualize? A.-under the
Q-How did the Board Of Taxes and Assessments
determine that 4 would be NECESSARY TO increase
Bronx 1877 600 900 in order to equaIize? Ain each
there chief desdy b IN e ss oS eou
the two.the sssessments from the different b Or.
other deputies the eondtion Of things under hs
po a ySu p Rnow ss S d.
Q.-You know that they did II? Al do; yes
before we go any further in this matter. The
IL. IN cy OF 70 has ' expTessy
there that one gentleman learned IN the law must
blessed than perhaps others-we had two Al legal
gentlemen in the Board where IT requires legal ae-
Mr. sHEEHY is NO LAWYER.
Dwell, haven't asked for anything causing
MOSS ask questions that you know would take
lawyer TO decide. l am not a lawyer now; am
OIL am trying 10 avoid questions that call for an
| expression Of a legal Judgment A-wei' thought
OIL am asking what you did, either on your own
or thu snd sw the g S I1 the d Out
that in order to equalize values between me Dor,
Of 3 s ss 5Sr sS's az sSS as
find 1t out7 A.-From communications on eoualixa::
t the chief deputy ' Of the main Office IN SewYork
sv Ssue Sa nj oa they nae
these conclusions and then on the experience ana
| made their assessments accordingly
Q-You don't mean to say that you 1 as c nnn
missioners left this thing your deputies. did your
| A.-The chief deputies on equalization under tho
o-You left it entirely to them7 A-NOt entirely:
| oVWhy Mr. Tax Commissioner, the action Of
chief deputies , Jus, b as oTsnary aepSes
| was II not? Al am aware Of that.
| Q.-What? Ayes
out OF the pockets OF the citizens millions OF dollars
| for the support of the government, where the IN
known in the history OF the city. do you mean to
say that yourself and your soeaguss as sb con-
sessmens were and how much It would % MsnSss
cation with our deputies and our enief
City had to stand its burdens Of this Greater New
York under the charter ane 70 eqs s easaIsd
| in Manhattan well as in other boroughs.
CONSULTED HIS DEPUTIES.
Q-ro be sure. Then, Mr.. Commissioner. Il is
deputies about this equalization. Is III A.-of
o-That is just what was asking you! A.Yes.
Q-How did you fnd out as Tax commissioner .Sa
| %ewuYork would have TO be Increased s3g7 coooor
Ave found IT would have to be increased TO DO
o~Who told you the amount necessary A.
No person That was left TO the depues NO s ons
ond Monday ono in July.
have already said it W. would 6 be sss Z
was increased? A.-To equalize the boroushs' did
| o~Whatever il was Il would be necessary for
the artificial purpose Of equalization? Al did not
| Q-You have told US that the increase proceeded.
not upon the theory OF actual Increase OF the prop
| erty. but on the necessity OF equalization? A.
o.-sut primarily equalization? Am :,l ,.r
this-c tSS AZ x'.- 9s 'u'''' u 'Y''
Q.-aow dd you determine, in order to equ sds.
sary to put on Manhattan? There e, was .s,I no
amount ssas arrived af a.
We cannot before the SECOND Monday In july tel
about the amount that the assessed yaIss.ion,
| our Department answer that
9Do you know as member Ib 2f the seE SOf ha
some conversation about IT. I am not certain
o0Did you have any consultation with tho, Cor,
poration Counsel? Al did not; no. sir had
Qwas there had BY your BOard o any such CON-
|
president is authorized TO do these things and 70
| 9p"was there anything said to your Department
about increasing the assessed valuation OF the city
order to pToyT ss mt heard fos tne of
| Q-You never heard OF that! Al never hearo
any EHf That ever been considered your Boards
| "Q-Has il been considered in the Board to your
| knowledgeP A.-Not as a board. no
RELIES MUCH ON THE DEPUTIES.
| o-Now. Mr. Commissioner. you have already
| said II was necessary TO increase the burden on
| Manhattan In order to equaze. That Is the great
| purpose Of It? Now, ask you II that purpose
| OF equalization the great necessity. why the
| equalization has not been equally divided between
the sections-the ten sections? A.-The deputy 10
they not you are the best Judge .,
IT. you were the head OF the depa,le YES ~
R miae 70 say 10 equA''Ae 'As ""O''
o~why shouldn't the additional burden caused
| the sections? Alt is imposed equally. accord
oEMr Commissioner. each Of those those sections had
Q-Now why shouldn't each one Of those sec
have carried 20 the amount Sa WAS put
s ssains, / tSf isss' HsPsThsP;s i has
,h e vsias think 81 th they property
a sw in S dnsrsns Sections Fl the
sse ss Judge of w fss S he sa and
II he believes there is a remarkable increase IN
| properties In certain sections, that deputy mas
The right 10 Increase according TO the market value
and according to his best judgment the assess-
| oMAccordins TO your statement the deputies are
men OF great power? Ayes they have great
'oCThey have power than you? A--Ne.
they have not. -. .A.,.
| tights and their own work to do under the char
ter and they take an oath 10 transact tner DUST
ness and assess all property that is in their dis
| tricts l., -. Ala .cS
as vou have 40 little knowledge OF their actions as
YOU say Al didn't say that Don't say
| that. -, - s.,n~, y
! know they are doing their duty. and J nave so'