The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-04-18
VALUES 70 Be REDUCED
REPRESENTATIVES, FROM COM
MERCIAL RoDIEs DEMAND RE-
DUCTI0N OF ASSESSMENT
APPLIES ONLY TO REALTY
Committee Appointed Yesterday to
Wait ON Assessor and Ascertain
If Change Can BE Made
This Year.

Committees from various commercial or
CARNATIONS, including several county and
city officials, met in the committee room
of the council chamber yesterday for the
purpose of considering the adyisability of
securing another assessment or revalua-
ton of real estate. When Chairman
Cochran called the meeting to order there
were present: J. C. Quinby and j. r.
Thompson, representing the Chamber of
Commerce; "A S .Talmage and A. H.
Lindeke. representing the Jobbers' union:
o. L. Taylor, representing the real estate
board; c. w. Hackett, representing the
Jobbers' union; ]. r. Thompson, H. R.
Denny and w. T. Kirke, representing the
assembly, and Aid. B. F. Knauft W. R.
Johnson, county auditor, represented
Ramsey county.
After stating it to be the beside of the
committee to discover the best and safest
method of procedure, Chairman Cochran
asked for an opinion from Auditor John
son, who said he had not formed a dis
tinct idea as to the best method, but be-
lieved there should be a REIMBURSEMENT, as
he was frequently reminded of such nee
essity in his official capacity general
reduction of valuation, Mr.. johnson said,
was, in his opinion undesirable.
+ CIV Hackett asked if 1t. were not pos
| sible for the committee to declare for
mally whether or not it desired another
assessmentsfor the whole county, giving
a revaluation, in place of the assessor
copying the one made four years ago.
This was point on which there was
considerable discussion pro and con, until
finally Auditor Johnson reminded the
committee that whatever it wanted done
would have to be suggested quickly, as
the time for beginning the new assess
ment was May l. Thereupon Mr.. Hackett
| offered resolution declaring it to be the
sense of the committee that a complete
reValuation of the real estate of the
county was wanted this year, following
the same lines In securing it as were
followed in 1885,
Speaking on Mr.. Hacketts motion, Mr..
Denny inquired if it would not be good
policy in doing SO, not to reduce the val
uation greatly in the aggregate. General
~ the members of the committee agreed
that such would be a good policy, and
Aid. Knauft then said he was unalterably
opposed to the adoption of any plan con-
templating the reduction Of property val
uation down to its present selling price,
After Some 4diScassf6Tf asasto personal
property 9jalJfsfi0.asr y andAi taxation the
chairman, called for a vote on Mr. Hack
ett's motion,and there. were no. negatives
recorded. Aid. Knauft then said:
Il move that it is the sense of this COM
mittee that the general results of total
revaluation be left the same as they
stand on the assessors books at present"
The motion was discussed at length,
and as most of the members were of the
opinion that 1t stultified the office of the
committee, the alderman was prevailed
upon to withdraw It,
On motion Chairman Cochran then ap-
pointed G. w. Racket, o. L. Taylor and
w. T. Kirke committee Of three to call
upon and. secure the views of. Assessor
Seng as to the possibility of securing the
desired assessment, the committee to
report at meeting to be held at the
call of the. chairman.