The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-07-19
COURTS LEFT TO FIX TAXES
CALENDARS HILL BE CHOKED WITH
CERTIOR1RI CASES.

Judges May Object to Doing tho Work of
the TammRny Tax Commissioners for
Them-Fifty New Writs Issued Yester-
dny-New York Central n Petitioner.
About fifty moro wrlts OF certlorari were is
sued by Justice Andrews OF the Supreme Court
yesterday to review tax assessments for this
year. The clerks had to walt beyond hours TO
enter these .voluminous papers and more
than half the time OF the court was occurted
with wrts This writ business has taken II
large share OF the attention Of the courts for
several days. Yet this work is not clrcum-
stance to thatIwhlch will comeibefore the courts
In October,lwhen they will have to take up each
case in detail. All the writs lately granted
are returnable on the first Monday OF October,
and the Judges on return from vacation will
meet q business OF this sort beyond all prece-
dent.
The work Of the Tax Com issioners has
been done In such a manner as virtually to
turn over to the courts the duty Of finding the
taxable values OF both real and personal
property. There Is everv probability that the
courts will balk. II is stated that some Of the
Judges will refuse to have the work OF other
public officers turned over to them almost AZ
whole. while those other officers draw sala-
ries for the work. There IL no indication up
to date that the Tax Commissioners have any
with their work to the Judges.
Tho wr.s so far granted, with the issues
raised Of inequality OF assessment call for al.
most an entirely new estimate throughout the
city OF the valuesof real estate for the purposes
OF taxation. and the figures the Judges will have
10 master TO get at the personal taxes OF some
of the corporations that complain are bewil-
dering. There seems to bo no determination
In the law re ports AS to how far public officer
can 40 in throwing his work yin ,he courts and
IN
for such II decision. but some such ruling is
expected to arise from the immense accumula-
The New York Central and hudson River
HHr9aI G. Ss3esseI on tI Fsaty s IN
TONERS for writ YESTERDAY Each parcel OF
y" real estate 10y lot numbers was assessed by
ths C2mmIssionsrs as reInired by ths statue,
road. which it leases, at s:'.32O.O 900. The pe.
titiuners aver that the latter assessment is il.
legal as not done by lot numbers. and that In
taxing both roads a double assessment has
been laid on ono property from the Grand
Central station to the. Harlem River. The
Grand Central station is assessed at H3,5Ou,-
OuO which. 1t q alleged. is too muchby $1,000
600 The different lots embodied In the COM
the assessed valuation aud what the company
saws ~ the proper valuation. 1t is a eyed that
IN average Of about bird too much has been
added to the company's tax, and that the
taxing OF the hotel, and other prouerty about
tao Grand Central station shows that tho
company has been unegually assessed. The
company complained to the Com missioners
about the assessment. which was first put at
of only 100000. The officers Of the company
appeared at the hearing with experts on. real
estate values. but the Gommssioners said It
w9mli act on the oral arguments.
The Victoria Hotel property was assessed at
be taxed at 100000. Their counsel appeared
with evidence. but il is averrel that tho COM
'a sqy r hnya
coriinR to the many conf claimants. done
their T2rk here I'm the case Of the Small Homes
ed the mseIvss SO that they assessed
worth OF the company's real estate in Colo
Re 70 the
It has no taxable property In this city.
had Sl.OOOOOO Chalkcd M against It, but
after hearing the assessment was lowered TO
SllI;0OO. The company contends 1t has no
The Mutual Real Estate Comnany was as
ssessed on H. PROPERTY nt AZ AZ o Broadway at
The Western Electric Company was down for
s35O00Q. but it Insists that tho assessment
The Harlem River and Port Chester Rail-
rG hab S
the court. or n mass Of figures. to fiud the
true taxable value. which will probably take
the court day , or Two. c,,1,oh.,,oC o
was taxed On $4,000. hut It urges that this Is
about $1,000 too much.
northeast corner of broadway ana Thirty.
seventh -trect was assessed at 10000. wants
this reduced TO eI25.OUO
Tho New York Land and Warehouse Com
PAWS property in Queens was assessed a;
S32SOS). hut on COMPLAINT a reduction was
made to S3l2.S45 II is commended that the
assessment should be S2Ob.G35.
The Riverside Associations, which carries on
benevolent work. with u public bath, free lee
lures and a library at $50 and POI. West Sixty
ninth street. was taxed or SD. 900. and it asks
that the whole tax be taken off.