The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1900-08-07
Commissioner Mclean said


ships will be suffered by some of the
property swners in the taxing districts
which have rsad a percentage added to
their totals, but there is no other means
by which the several assessing districts
as whole can be equalized The three
cities have a higher percentage of value
than some of the other taxing districts in
the county, and this difference throws
more of the county tax on the cities than
they are equitably entitled to.
1--WE have found that the assessors in
certain taxing districts have levied their
assessments on an average of so per cent,
of real value. This they have admitted. If
this board found all of the property in
these districts assessed at rate of so per
cent, it would have added the difference
between the higher rate, but the valua-
tfons of the poorer property has been as
sessed at a higher average rate than the
better class of property, which escapes
in large majority of instances at even
less than so per cent. For this reason
this Board has graduated the increase in
order to reach an average which will be
fair to all the property.
1.-THE assessors will have to explain the
seasons for the inequality of their assess
ment of their property. This board would
be willing to have the township property
assessed at an average of so per cent, be-
cause it believes that the property in the
cities, and especially Jersey City, which
has more than one-half of the ratables, is
more saleable than much of the property
in the northern towns. But the difference
between the 20 per cent. average in Jersey
City and the SO per cent. valuations in
the towns and townships of North Hudson
is too great for this board to let pass un-
noticed, and therefore this increase is
made.'
When Commissioner Mclean had con-
cluded, Assessor Hannah of Weehawken
asked if the local assessors were to be al
lowed to say anything.
st wish to say" replied President Nor
gan, "that you were cited to appear be-
fore this Board to explain matters in con-
nection with your taxing district, but you
failed to put in an appearance"
81 informed the members of this board
that it would be impossible for me to ac-
company them in the examination of nv
district on the day fixed by them. but if
they would postpone it until the following
day I would do So" replied Assessor Han
ran. "On the day subsequently fixed by
you for me to appear was in Pittsburg,
and did not get your notice until my re-
turn
Mr.. Mclean said, it showed the
Assessor did not take much interest in
his duties as Assessor.
'1 claim that I take as much if not
more interest than any assessor in this
county" retorted Mr.. Hannah, and he
went on to say:-'T understand from the
secretarys report that my values have
been increased 25 per cent. Am I cor
rect?''
He was told he was and continued
Il know of no reason why have been
increased and as the same gentlemen are
here as were present when I could not
attend I think as matter of courtesy
the information given at that time could
be repeated for my benefit now
I'VE have not the data at hand now
to give you the desired information"
said Mr.. Mclean.
IF man takes for an average basis
what the State Board of Assessors have
done would that be considered fair?s
asked Mr. Hannah.
Mclean replied that the Board had
nothing todo with the State Board of
Assessors.
This Board says we must assess at 60
per cent. of the actual value'' Mr..
Hannah said, 1.-The law says we must
assess at 100 per cent. What authority
has this Board to arbitrarily decide on
GO per cent. valuations?"
did not say 60 per cent declared
Mr.. Mel can
amount" President Morgan said .Tbis
ooard takes the position that in view of
the present condition Of affairs it is hard
to get at actual values Only new pro-
perty is really worth 100 per cent. We
claim that If the North Hudson assessors
will take about sixty per cent. of the ask
ed price they will get near actual value
of the property today"
The State Board of assessors hasn't
shown anything like twelve per cent on
railroad property in my passing district"
said Mr. Hannah. They claim thew lew
100 per cent?" broke in Mr.. Mclean. IF
what you say is so, you have a right and
it is your duty to appear before that
board and make the fact known. said Mr..
Love, and Mr.. Mclean said, s'You take
OH o"eiA ~ dSSSSS property at Its full
value but you have not done it.p "Tha +
is difference of opinion between YOU and
me as to property values" retorted Mr..
Hannah.
The Weehawken assessor then refer
red to the unrehability of filed records to
get at values and quoted cases In which
the amounts recorded were purposely en-
larged to obtain larger loans than would
otherwise be possible. He continued:
1T looks discouraging for me to make
any valuations. 1t seems as though I
should have brought in my books and
let this board make whatever assessments
it saw fit. My predecessor was raised Is
per cent. increase his valuations and
come here and I am raised an additional
Is per cent"
Your increase" said President Morgan,
was made up largely Of the raise on the
water front property"
Il tried to get as near right as possi
ble," said Mr.. Hannah. 81 thought if / did
wrong this board would put me on the
County State School
Total Tax. Tax.
s9l, 800, ,0s5.00 s5OS,017. .65 $2S6 a3O. .2f
1873, ,020o0 7620499 81, 435 81
n, ,I91, 1900
4l6,S66.95