Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-05-10

The State Board of Equalization and
Appeals met again yesterday morning
and it was announced that complaints
from the Panhandle counties would
be heard. No petitions were read, no
evidence offered. The reason is OBJ
vious. In Hancock county there has
been very small fractional increase
in the aggregate valuation. Brooke
county, which has enjoyed a substan-
tial growth in the past decade, is re-
ported with decrease in the total
valuation. Marshall county is virtu-
ally unchanged, and well satisfied.
Wetzel county, where the discovery of
oil. and other material growth has
greatly appreciated the acuai yaiue
of prperty. has been but slightly in
creased, and is content TO "iet well
enough alone"
1t is considered remarkable fact
that of all the citizens who. at the
Chamber of Commerce meeting, were
outspoken in their criticism of the
new appraisement Of values, only SEN
ator Whitaker and Gen. Caldwell ap-
peared before the Board. Influential
members OF the body were not even
present at the meeting of the Board.
1t would appear that the charge OF APP
athy and lack of interest, which has
been made against members of the
Chamber of Commerce, was well
founded.
The Register yesterday stated that
one Wheeling bank was assessed
higher tnan all the banks in Charles
ton. This statement was made in or
der to make comparison between the
methods employed in the work of re-
assessment in Ohio and Kanawha
counties. Upon the basis of their
actual cash value, their rental value,
or ,2ny other fair means of fixing the
valuation of property for taxable pur-
poses, these figures are truly start
ling:
Kanawha Valley Bank. ..............S SIT 200
Citizens National Bank. ............. 1880
Charleston National Bank. ........... $500
kanawha National Bank. ............ 600
Total ....... ......................... .s46, $50
City Bank of Wheeling .............. 10000
The Charleston bank buildings are
substantial structures, located on the
principal thoroughfares in the business
district of the city.
The Kanawha Valley Bank, located
at the corner of Capital and Kanawha
streets, is five-story building, 60x100
feet, with pressed brick front, and
Office rooms upstairs.
The Charleston National is plain
brick structure, four stories high.
The Citizens National is built of
stone and brick, five stories high.
The Kanawha National is built Of
rough brick, three stories high, with
the upper floors probably occupied.
Gen. Caldwell and Senator Whita-
ker called the attention Of the Board
to the fact that since the last re-as-
sessment was made, seventy-five or a
hundred of the wealthiest citizens
have removed to points along the Ma
tional Road east of the city, and that
property which would be used by this
class of citizens has really deprecated
in value.
Col. r. P Chew, of Charles Town,
member of the Board, stated that the
Board has been impressed with the
fact that Wheeling mas been paying
more than a proportionate share OF
the State taxes, and ne recognized the
fact that relief should be extended to
Ohio county. He felt certain that the
Board would do whatever is possible
to afford that relief
The Board will meet again this
morning, but it Is not liely that any
complaints will be made.