New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-04-09
STATEMENT BY W. j. MORGAN.
CONTROLLERS PLEA FOR MR.. ELSBERGS
BILL RELATING TO APPOINTMENT OF
APPRAISERS UNDER TRANS
FER TAX LAWS

State Controller William ]. Morgan gave out the
following statement last night concerning the bill
now in Governor Roosevelts hands relating to the
appointment of appraisers under the transfer tax
laws affecting the counties of New-York, Kings
and Erie:
This bill was introduced by Mr.. Elsberg, and pro
vides for the appointment OF five appraisers In
COUNTY Apo nted by the state Controller instead
of the Surrogaes of the said counties as at pres
In lieu of per diem allowance Il also provides for
and Kings counties and the payment of certain
The necessity for some measure that will arrest
the increasing cost of appraisals is shown 10y
the following Of the cost Gr 20 S5
inclusive. and for the four years ending September
co. 1929:
ERIE COUNTY
Cost of appraisals 1892 1895 inclusive four . ~ ..
Cost Of appraisais 1896 to inclusive four
Tax paid to state Treasurer, 1892 to 1895 in
Tax paid to State Treasurer 1896 1899 in %, 90
s:s:'s, ssss
KINGS COUNTY
Cost of appraisals 1892 to 1895 inclusive four
COST Of appraisais 1896 to 1889 inclusive
elusive pHe f. four ntA Years 900 7o1 81
Tax paid to State Treasurer 1896 1880 %
Cos Cost 6 Of aPRT3sss q
NETWORK COUNTY.
Cost appraisaIs inclusive four 900
Cost of appraisais. 1895 to 1899 inclusive
Tax paid to State Treasarer 1895 in -- goo
Tax paid to State Treasurer 1899 in &c, geo
elusive four years SIS 70
T Tos n 81 aPra,sass $1,000
The bill provides for annual expend dit5rs Of
mentS of appraisers in the three COUNTIES
toned above. The average cost of holding tnese
system for the last four years vas $5SSf4 OIL rms
fees alone The bill viii prove of advantage by
the increased amount of tax returned to the state
crminately; the persons thus accidentally APP
pointed in large majority of cases are unacr
the real estate in the particular estate to be APP
this bill will be State officials who will hold their
places for such period as they properly perform
personal knowledge of the value OF real estate and
personal property IN ther respecd9ve Of 6 u
and excessive allowances for administrator eX-
The tax will be assessed promptly and the reports
of the appraisers will not be held for long period
may accrue, which is so frequently the under
Appraisers seldom now examine witnesses as to
the assets Of the estate in which they are APP
and Kings are based almost entirely upon an af-
fdavit made by an executor or administrator. who
places the value upon such securities. No personal
appearance Is made by the executor or admins
traitor. and the af1daVit may snow all or little OF
the estate. Aflidavits have been prepared by in
geniGus LAWYERS the s form , Of which shows prac-
been made by the appraiser in accordance there
with had il not been for information in the posses
sion of the State Controller which showed that a
large amount of property was being concealed and
covered up. Such examination of an estate was
recently made. and over $1,0o0,o0o was disclosed
which would otherwise have escaped taxation A
large saving would also be made in attorneys fees
these appraisers would be competent to look
after the interests of the State without special
counsel being employed.
1t was said last night that the Governor would
sign the bill.