The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-06-02
MAZET TACKLES THE TAXES
APPARENT INEoUALITIEs OF ASSESS
MENT IN THIS COUNTY.

Commissioncr shrchy and President Felt
prr Observation-Disclosures Tammany Men
who Escape Personal Tax Swear 1t
Down Price Threatens Subpoena Server
Moss calls Price a Buliy-Ady sntures of
Two Of Moss's Agents in Paresis Hall and
with "A Policeman at n Gambling House,
ADMINISTRATION Of the assessment methods
OF the Tax Department was begun by the Mazet
committee yesterday. Thomas L. Feitner,
President Of the board of Tax Commissioners,
Ard Tax Commissioner Edward @. Sheehy were
III. witnesses examined. Mr.. Sheehy was aues-
,,onrl on the immense increase Of 1927, DOC. 900
ir a-sr-sed valuations OF realty this year in Man
haitian and the Bronx, and answered generally
,hnt It was a consequence OF consolidation and
tle line OF cdua ization Of assessme It's In the
h,rouEh, and that property in this county is
uuw assessed mt its market value. Apparent
gross Inequalities in applying the rule OF in
ore ,sr hc left to his deputies to explain. In
th,,mattsr 81 swearing Off personal taxes 1t ap-
pcnrri IN the examination Of President Felt
ne ha; the Tammany leaders yield the palm
to nobody
Two ot MIR Moss's agents told about going
10 "parasis Hail. to see an immoral show.
which was called or, and OF visit to the place.
.hurt'v after | O'Clock yesterday morning, by
Cart. Chapman and squad OF police. Chap
II an ordered the place closed. The same
brrnts visited n gambling house at "a West
Thirty second street, and when they left they
were sct upon by "a crowd. among whom one Of
the agents recognized Bob Nelson. Capt.
Price. friend In the hallway one OF the
ng"uts was hit in the mouth ny either Nelson
or hv a uniformed policeman who ordered
them out.
To-day Capt Price will be recalled to sub
e,antiato the charge he made on Wednesday
that Mr. Moss had been guilty OF subornation
Of perjury 1t was testified yesterday that he
threatened to throw into the river q subpoena
s,rver Of the committee. The investigation Of
the Tax Department will also go on to-day.
Tho Proceedings.
The proceedings opened with the announce
rent by MIR Moss that he had q statement to
MAKE.
Il am always willing" he began. Ito subor-
dinate myself TO the interests OF this commit
tee | have always done so. even submitting
To- personal abuse without attempting to make
reply 1t is probably true that never in the
history Of the State has Legislative commit
tee met with sucn organized opposition as this
one has Witnesses have resoutely opposed
Us at every step. and"--
Il object" INTERRUPTED Or. O'Sullivan. to
counsel summing up the case at this point.
The evidence. | assume. is not all in yet. and
"You sit down. shouted Mr.. Moss. 1 will
not be interrupted by you again"
is that so;" inquired O'Sullivan. Don't
be so sure about that, When you have the key
Mr. MazetNDr. Osullivan. yon will sit down
and remain silent. or you will be debarred
from the privileges already accorded to you
II did not consider some statement neces-
eary would not make it, Mr.. Chairman" Mr.
- Sr. Mazet"I hardly think any statement
from you is necessary. but il you think it is
u long as | think proper
Mr., Mazet-Be brief. please.
ws and have w had to
the brunt of abuse and utilization; Yesterday.
when Capt Prize was on the stand an incident a
Importance. Capt. PRICE made certain charges
here on the stand. l have caused him to be
Tomorrow. when he will be ask ed to substan;
tate his charges. / do not feel the personal
Sf such man, no matter what they may BE-.
He has shown his character here. The def
progress and its climax in the testimony OF
Capt. Price. and have summoned him to APP
pear here tomorrow to prove some OF the
MIR. ,Mazet-I want to say that so far as Capt
I%e are Mr. Moss
they reflect upon you. The statements OF such
men only tend to show us the character Of the
Persons who are opposing this inyestigat ton.
You have been before this community too long.
sir, to need to be defended against such attacks;
10 the committee lecturing the committee. =,
Mr.. Henderson tcouIsel to Capt. PriceGI
can -uhstantate the truth, OF Capt. Price 5
st9tements ask that they he called
NJ Mazet-lou may settle this matter with
ASSAULTED BY POLICEMAN At A GAMBLING
HOUSE
John R, Wood. a Moss agent. was called TO
ally opposite Cooper Institute in Fourth ave-
nue,, on "Wednesday night. He said that show.
formers, was to have been given that night.
Aoout | o'clock in the morning word was
w"re among those present and the show was de:
rSss Wercen reee pna
sH' he and
Moss agent named Harris went to gambling
th@re and had no dIt,lcnlty f. gaining admis:
men followed them out and one OF the men
There 60 the -! Let's knife EN-"
Immediately afterward they were attacked
"a uniformed Policeman game up and struck &c
IenG"r!oin bond syndicate. was In the crowd.
TAX COMMISSIONERS sHEEHY CALLED.
.,Att"r this testimony. the main business OF
tn, gay: the inyestigati9n OF the Tax Depart,
Of the Tax Commissioners. was call ed
Q-Did YOU ever have any real estate trans.
&c lons for or in connection with Mr.. Croker
Ayes. Several years ago | acted as his
broker ~ some real estate deals:
R-Did You have any special qualifications
for the Office you now hold Al don know
thar did, except that had been in the real
estate business for thirty years and had a fair
alOunt Of common sense.
e. pom what principle do you think taxes
should be laidT A. Equitably and indus
trouS,y. Laughter.
MIR, Moss read "A list OF Deputy Comm sion
erS OF Taxes. asked who they were, how they
happened to hold office, and L the witness was
satisfied with their work. The witnesses an
swer showed that al! the deputy Commission
ers, with one eXception-Bryan o. Hara. who IL
real estate dealer-were old employees OF the
d"partment. The witness believed that they
hai done their work conscientiously and well
and he had no fault to nnd with them.
Thomas l.. Feitner. President OF the Board Of
Tax Commissioners arose to protest against
Mr.. Moss's line Of inquiry. Mr.. Costello OF the
committee asked:
Who is the gentleman 2"
Mr., Mazet-Mr. Feitner. President OF the Tax
Department.
Mr.. Costello-Call him as Witness and lei
him be sworn. He can then have chance &c