The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-12-20
RAILROAD PROPERTY UNDERVALUED
Testimony Showing That it is Not Assessed
For Taxation at It's Full Value
in this State.
RAILROAD ATTORNEYS TAKEN BY SURPRISE

worth?"
"Well that depends on whether a mar
wants it or not. If l wanted to sell il
don't think l could get more than 81 900
at the outside. If | didn't live there
wouldn't give half that for it,"
The witness said land sold in his town
ship was usually sold on a credit and
land sold on a credit usually brings more
than when sold for cash.
How much more?"
From ten to twenty-five per cent more
on long time than on a forced SALE.
81 understood you to say you tried tt
be as light on the people as possible? ?"
ST said we felt that land was gener-
ally valued too high, but We knew the
county had to have revenue and we tried
to equaliZe the burden as much as posi-
tle raising some and lowering others.
Taking up the affidavit made by Mr.
Johns in the case when it was before
Judge Simonton, Mr.. Price asked
"In this affidavit you swear that the
| assessors had nothing to do with the valu-
alton of personal property is that SO?
I'm our view of the law we did not
We fixed the standard of value for various
articles and usually urged the tax payer
to come up to it, but his sworn state
ment was always accepted"
DIDN'T WANT THAT SORT.
On redirect examination, Col. Hinsdale
read Mr. Johns affidavit to him and he
said:
II swore to that then, because l thought
it true, and / think it now. Also | un-
derstood that our integrity as assessors
was impeached in the suit
Capt Price: How did you get that
idea?"
Mr.. Johns: From newspaper ac-
counts"
And you give your evidence here today
with feeling of resentment, don't your
mo. I'm a friend to the railroads"
In conclusion of his testimony Mr.. Johns
said:
Capt Price has questioned me closely
as to the value of my house and other
property. Now I'd just like to tell
something of the valuation we put on
railroad property in our township, to
show that justice was done to all par
ties"
Capt. Price (excitedly): "NOW. NOW
WE DON'T WANT ANYTHING OF THAT
SORT
The next witness was VIM. J. Ballen-
tine, of Middle Creek township, who tes-
titled concerning two real estate transac-
lions in his neighborhood. One was an
acre bought by him for SIS and it was
assessed at $50, and two acres bought by
his father for $40 an acre was assessed
at 5000
REAL ESTATE IN RALEIGH.
Mr. Ivan NJ Proctor, who was an as
SCISSOR for Raleigh township in 1899, next
went on the stand He said that in fixing
tax values as assessors they arrived, as
near as possible. at the cash value of the
property-what it would bring if put up
and sold. The result was the agreement
of the three assessors, as to fair cash
value of the property.
I'm your judgment what was the diff
ference between the actual cash value
and the assessed value of property in
1892"
Il think they were, as a rule, the
same
did you ever hear of any rule to un-
dervalue property for tax?'
''No, not till this suit began"
On cross examination by Mr.. A. B. An
drews, Jr., the witness was asked
What do you think the Tucker build
ing is worth?
About $40, coo or $50 900
Then, if it is assessed at $40, 900, is
it assessed at it's true value?"
Somewhere about it, but l wouldn't
give it,
Have you ever heard that the Tucker
building pays $6,OO0?"
Yes"
well, if it does, is it worth $50 ,OO0?'
Yes, if that's true, it ought to be
worth that"
Later, on cross examination, Mr. Proc
tor said that the Tucker building had not
been completed when it was assessed.
GUEssEs AS TO VALUES.
Mr.. Proctor was asked as to the Coley
property, Capital Club, Johnston drug
store and other property. He said he
had no idea about the property, it's condi-
ton or what it rented for.
''Ill make a guess. The Colev prop
erty ought to be worth $4,000 or 81 900.
and the Johnston drug store ought to be
worth $4,000 or $40, 000.
do you know the Crow residence on
the corner of Jones and Person streets? o.
Eyes"
IL II 10 dooGooSu at ISsUVV 10 IL doSGSS~
ed at its true valued"
i should think it was now worth more
than that
Don't you know that the Baptist Uni
versity recently bought it for S4,000?"
NO
what is Mr.. F. H. Busbees place
WORTH"
about SO, 500"
IF it is assessed at ST, 200, is it assessed
at its true value?"
Very near it,
Col. Hinsdale; I'D like to ask the
witness whether he's answering these
questions as of June. 1899, or now?"
Mr.. Proctor: 'I'mHanswering them as
values now are, they are much higher
now than they were in $780,
What do you think DR.. Hawkins lot
and house on Blount street is worth?'
Anything l should say about it would
be a guess. I've heard that the house
cost 100000, but / don't think it's worth
il. The lot without the house would
bring $4,000 or $4,000 as easily as it
would bring $4,000 with the house Some
people might give more. / think we as
sessed it for every cent it was WORTH
The witness was asked as to what he
thought the property of DR.. Hogg would
bring if cut IN into lots of 52lb feet