The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-07-27

Messrs. Phillips, Calpin and Nageli
OF the common council committee to
which was referred the resolution look
ing to the poor tax collector having
quarters in the city treasurer's office,
met last night and heard arguments
for and against the proposition by At
torney James II. Torrey, representing
City Treasurer Robinson and Hon.
II. Farr representing his father, Poor
Tax Collector Farr.
The resolution which the committee
has in hand directs the mayor to en-
force the provisions of the resolution
of 1892 by which the poor tax collector
was assigned quarters in the treasur-
er's office. The resolution is the re-
suit of an announcement on the part
Of Treasurer Robinson that he does
not propose to share his office with the
incoming collector.
In defense of the treasurer's stand,
Mr.. Torrey told the committee that
the city treasurer, who is under $240,-
600 bonds should not be expected to
permit persons not of his own selec-
ton, and over whom he has no control,
to have the run of his Office and free
access to the vault and the books.
Besides there is none too much room
for the treasurer in the office and
during the time that the collection of
taxes is being enforced under penalty
every faculty of the office is taxed
and to have the poor tax collector taxi
ing up two of the windows at the par
tition is a great inconvenience.
NOTHING PERSONAL.
Robinson that there was no personaH-
ties or politics in the matter and that
the treasurer was prompted in his OPP
position to the resolution solely by his
caution for the protection of himself
and his bondsmen and by the incon-
venienCe of the working force of his
office, An office for the poor tax col
leCtor might be secured in the con-
troller's office, Mr.. Torrey suggested,
or it might be arranged that the office
now occupied by the city assessors
could be turned over to the poor tax
collector and the board of assessors
sent upstairs to the City's clerks office
where their books are and where the
board of revision and appeal meets.
Mr. Farr in cOntending for the resolu-
tion called the committees attention
to the fact that the apportionment in
question was assigned by the public
buildings committee of councils as the
Joint quarters of the city treasurer and
the poor tax collector and that the col
lector has as much right there as the
treasurer.
AS to there being no personalities or
politics in the matter Mr.. Farr was
not so sure. 1t might be that there
weren't but certain circumstances tend
ed to indicate that there were. No city
treasurer up to Mr.. RObinson's time
had ever objected to the tax collector
sharing the office with him and Mr..
Robinson himself, has suffered and
still suffers the 1883 collector, Mr..
Finn to occupy the customary poor
tax collectors corner in the office,
without ever having registered the
slightest protest
COULD BE PARTITIONED OFF
There would be no great difficulty
in removing the objection which Mr..
Robinson has to the poor-taX collector
having the run of his office A very
small corner will suffice for the col
lectOr and this can be easily and mex
pensvely partitioned off and a private
door built that will permit the col
lector to enter his quarters from the
public portion of the office.
There is no great personal desire
on the part of the collector to be in
| the treaSurer's office, but custom now
demands that he shall be there and II
| he was anywhere else no end of con-
| fusion would result to the public and
| the collector would be put to extra
| efforts in collecting the taxes.
For six years. the tax payers have
| gone to that office to pay their poor
tax, and it is now considered by the
| public as much the poOr-taX office as
| the city treasurer's office. 1t is a great
| convenience for the public to be able
| to pay all their city. school district
and poor district taxes in the one of,
flee and the convenience of the public
ought to be considered quite as muct
| as the convenience of Mr.. Robinson''
| clerks. In this connection, Mr.. Farl
| pointed out that it i'll becomes Mr.
| Torrey to argue as he had, considering
the fact that the bill recently before
| the legislature providing for genera
| receiver of taxes in third class cities
was known generally in legislative cir
ces as the Torrey bill, having beer
drafted by Mr. Torrey when he wa'
city solicitor.
OBJECT OF BILL.
This bill it might be explained ha
for it's purpose the doing away of tn,
| necessity of going to three or fou
| places as at present to pay ones
| taxes.
The committee concluded not to TAX
any action last night, but will NEE
| again before the session of council to