The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1900-08-03

the poorer property it was stated hau
been over assessed in comparison
1t was stated that this year only the
better class of property in West HopoKen
had been examined. In previous years an
sorts was taken for purposes OF estimate.
The Commissioners report stated that
property valued by them at $lso' '4oz was
found to be assessed for $7S,l0O or $3.50 per
cent.
In the matter of the appeal from the
valuation placed by Assessor Hoppe in
certain mill and residence property in the
Town of Union, 1t was held that there
was no ground for complaint. The same
decision was reached in the appeal from
the valuation fixed for Peters Brewery.
The Commissioners said they had exam
ined $407. .145 worth of property which they
had found assessed for $l72,60O or 42.S9 per
cent. of its value.
In explanation of the variance between
his figures and those of the county board
the local assessor said it was hard to
say what property in Bergenline avenue
was really worth. Some lots had been
sold for 5000, but only in cases where
they had to be obtained. From Jefferson
to Garden streets property was valuable,
it was hard to tell what it was worth.
1--WE have examined a wide range OF
property in North Bergen, especially va
cant lots, and have come to the conciu-
sion that the assessment was not made
thorough enough" read Commissioner
Mclean. 1.-THE better class of property is
uniformly very low. The land under wa
ter is improperly valued and in one case
no valuation at all has been put on it.
Property assessed at $4,000, that had
been examined in North Bergen, the Com
missioners estimated, was worth $154,seo,
and held this showed an average yalua-
tion of 1884 per cent.
Assessor Kennel defended his figures.
According to the Commissioners esti-
mates West New York is the banner tax
ing district for low valuations. Their re-
port said that they had examined prop
erty worth $780, 800, which was found to be
assessed at but s62 100 or 1888 per cent. of
the actual valuation. The $4,000 assess
ment of an ice plant estimated to be
worth $50,G00 was cited as a notable IN
stance of under valuation. Assessor Bowe
admitted that he had made a mistake as
to the value of this property. The build
a producing capacity of fifty tons of ice
a day On all his other property the
Assessor insisted that his valuations were
fair. He insisted that valuations could
not be- obtained by consulting filed con-
tracts, for in some cases, where loans
were being looked for, the contract was
made for a larger amount than the work
would cost
I'm previous years. said the West New
York Assessor" / have valued swamp
and railroad property as high as 150 per
cent. in an effort to get the owners to
part with it so that it might be improved.
This I found useless as the companies
would not part with it. The Lard Re-
finery I assessed at $S55,O00. Bermes'
Brewery is worth more The West Shore
Railroad owns one-haf the property of
the town. l have assessed this at 100 per
cent If I am compelled to raise houses
and reduce corporations 1 will do so and
next year will have a uniform book"
'tWhy did you not have one this year?"
asked Commissioner Mclean.
.If did there would be a reduction of
s200, 900 and that L wanted to avoid. 1 con-
slider the Lard Refinery and the Ontario
assessed"
In Gutenberg the Commissioners said
they had examined $50, 100 worth of prop
erty which they found assessed for
$27,50O or at 1924 per cent. of it's true
value.
Assessor Lahres defended his figures.
He said:-'There are only two or three
parties in Gutenberg able to pay on high
valuations. The majority of the property
is heavily mortgaged. We have no
| manufactures. Raise the valuations and
you will discourage building"
You know that the rest of the county
| is assessed at from 50 to IS per cent??
asked Commissioner Mclean
''Yes, but property is worth more else
| where" replied the assessor
| The Commissioners said that in all the
towns they had found the poor property
| highly taxed and the better class property
| at very low figure. This they said die
not apply to Gutenberg. The rule follow
ed seemed to be to get about SO per cent
on the good property, although it otter
was as low as 40 per cent, and from 20 tc
| so per cent. on the poor property.
| Jersey City's average, the Commission
| ers said, was between 70 and II per cent.
Bayonne about 60 and the taxing districts
of West Hoboken about SO per cent.
| In a lengthy executive session preceding
! adjournment the members of the Boarc
went over the figures confined in the re.
| port of the Committee of the Whole, ant
| considered the matter of summary in.
creases of totals in several of the taxing
| districts.
4