The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-12-02
TWO WITNESSES HEARD
These Witnesses Are All introduced
by the Railroads.
LAND USUALLY ASSESSED AT 3-4 VALUE
They Testify Also That Much Land viii Not
Bring at Forced Sale its Assessed Value,
and That the Assessors Are
Good Substantial Men.

0OOu OuUStdIikldI WiStis
The hearing of evidence in the rail-
road taxation case was resumed yes
terday morning before Judge Shep-
herd Two witnesses were examined,
Mr.. Dougherty, sheriff of Watauga,
and Mr.. Richard Holman, of Person.
The former testified that as general
rule land in his county was assessed
about two-thirds of it's real value, but
that in some cases it might not bring
more at a forced sale than the tax val
uation. The object Of the undervalu-
alton was to equalize land values in
the county. Mr.. Holman said that the
tax valuation was intended to be equal
to the price a forced sale would bring.
and that, as a general thing, such was
the case.
Mr.. NJ B. Dougherty, of Watauga coun-
ty formerly a tax assessor, testified that
in assessing property he followed the old
rule of previous assessors, of fixing
value lower than the price the land would
bring at sale The difference was US
ually about third.
In answer to Mr.. Pou's questions. Mr..
Dougherty stated he had been an assessor
about ten years ago, and had not served
in the last ten years.
do you know what Mr.. ]. NJ Browns
land sold for?'
Eyes, 81, 500"
..What did A. B. Cooks land and build
ing bring?"
"s1 800"
what did the 100 acres of Mr.. Dougher-
ty bring?"
'.$3. 000."
"What was the property assessed at?"
's1, 800. Another tract of $50 acres, as
sessed at $500, sold for $4,000. One of
361 acres, assessed at 81. 624. sold for about
50 800 In the Blue Ridge Township, Mr.
C. c. Harrison's property, 100 acres
brought 81 200 but should been assessed
at only 500
''Was it your purpose to carry out your
oath to assess property at its full value?"
YES. The object of the differentiation
is to try to equalize the different lands
of the county"
Are there not many unimproved tracts
of land in your county? What were they
assessed at?"
Zone dollar per acre. They would prob
ably bring more than that at forced
sale"
HAS not the value of land risen some
what in your county since the last as
sessment?''
Yes
Mr.. Price here took up the examination
of the witness.
81 understand that you assessed values
in the light of precedent
Yes
And the general custom of under
valuation prevails?"
Yes"
Mr.. Dougherty mentioned one tract of
1019 acres, assessed valuation $4,000;
800 acres of this brought on sale $1,000.
tract of 400 acres belonging to Mr..
Baird was assessed at $1,000. but was
really worth $4,000. Another piece of Mr..
Baird's property, $40 acres, assessed at
$4,000, was worth nearly twice that
amount.
Several other tracts were valued by Mr..
Dougherty as follows
Land of c. B. Taylor, $50 acres, assessed
value $4,000 value $4,000.
Tract of 200 acres, assessed value s.. 300;
value So, 900.
Land of Mr.. Winthrop, $50 acres, asses
sed value $1,O55 value $4,000.
Land of j. P. Council. 373 acres. asses
sed value So. 500; value $1,000.
Land of T. P. Adams. $50 acres. asses
sed value 81 200; value $4,000.
Land of Newton Banner, 120 acres, as
sessed value $3.50: value $1720.
Land of S. P. Mast. 800 acres, assessed
value $500; value $4,000.
why was the rule of differentiation
adopted"
Perhaps because the higher the assess
ment valuation, the higher will be the
State tax The higher the tract of land,
the lower will be the relative values, be-
cause the parts unimproved are greater.
) No small farm was overvalued."
Mr.. Richard B. Holman. of Person,
was the next witness.
Mr.. Price Has real estate in Person
county tax valuation equal to its actual
VaIue?'
mo. There is a difference. =
.'What does the difference amount to -
mot more than 20 per cent"
Have you conyersed with assessors on
this subiect?'
Yes"
Have you heard them say what they
assessed various tracts of land?"
In some cases"
10 you KNOW any Specldl SdltS III goui
county of which you can inform the
court?'
Yes. The Cameron estate was sold for
;. 6, Z, 8. and a few acres at ten dollars
an acre. The average assessed valua-
ton was $3.50 per acre.
Generally, when put up to highest
bidder, the land did not bring more than
the assessed value and sometimes less,
but when sold by private sale would
bring 20 per cent. more, as a rule"
MIR. Pou asked the witness if he under
stood him to state that if the true value
Of the land means its value at forced
sale, it was equal to the tax valuation,
but that if it meant its value al private
sale, it generally brought 20 per cent.
more. Witness said this was correct.
MIR Pou produced the memorandum Of a