The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-11-14
TAX ON FACTORIES
Assessed at Fifty Per Cent,
Says a Witness.
He Adds That This is Done in Cumberland to
Induce Erection Of Like Irdus-
trial Plants.
Especial to News and Observer

Especial to News and Observer
Wilmington, N. c.. Nov. 13.-Examina-
ton of the railroads witnesses was re-
sumed this morning with the same coun-
sci in attendance, and Mr. r. O.. Burton
representing the Coast Line and Capt.
Chas. Price representing the Southern.
Captain A. B. Williams, of Cumberland
county, testified to an differentiation of
from % to 33 1-3 per cent. that factory
property was assessed at about so per
cent of what it cost in order to induce
the erection of other industries of that
character. On cross examination he
stated that the assessors valued real
estate at about q of what it would bring
at private sale; that there was a differ
ence of at least % per cent. in the prices
at public sale and at private sales, part
cash. part credit; that he knew very lit
tie of values of lands outside of his town
ship. which includes the town of Fayette-
Vile, and that he could not speak OF any
rule of differentiation except in his
township.
Ex-Sheriff j. B. Smith and VIM. E,aer-
man, of Fayetteville, testified to substan-
TALLY the same thing. They all swore
that there was no uniformity in the
differentiation.
Isaac Brown, of Tuckahoe township,
Jones county testified that he was all
assessor about 80 years ago; that real
estate in his neighborbood was assessed
at from 2-3 to u of real value. On cross
examination he said that farming lana
in his county was sold only on credit, and
that he meant lands were assessed at 20
per cent. of what they would bring en-
the usual terms. He confined his testi-
mony upon actual knowledge to the
differentiation of his own lands and few
tracts Immediately around him. He said
that personal property with the exception
of few articles was assessed at true
value.
DR.. s. T. Nicholson, of Washington,
Beaufort county, testified as to the 2-3 or
q differentiation of lands. On cross eX-
animation he admitted that there was no
uniform rule; this was simply an average,
and he confined his testimony to three
Townships Baron Frederick Won Evinsteln
testified to substantially the same thing,
and also that there was difference OF
90 to % per cent. of prices obtained at
public and private sales that large bodies
of lands for several years had been offer
ed for sale in his county without pur-
chaser
]. ID. Maultzby, of Columbus county,
testified to same differentiation, but on
cross examination admitted that he had
personal knowledge of comparatively only
few tracts of land in his county, and
as to the rest he could not testify. r.
H! Gouverneir, of Wilmington, testified
as to market value of the stock of large
number of cotton mills in the State, and
also of the Buffers Lumber Company.
Geo. H. Hall, of Robson county, testi-
fed to an differentiation of from 1-3 to
u, but upon cross examination confined
his testimony to his own township, adj
hitting that he knew but little OF lands
outside He said he owned considerable
tracts in Cumberland county, which he
would be glad to sell for tax value
o. F. Herring, register of deeds of
Sampson county, testified to the same
differentiation and on cross examination
he said he meant of 2-3 of true value, 2~3
of what property would sell for at private
sale; part cash and part credit. He also
said that lands would bring for cash SO
per cent. more than tax value. He adj
mitted that he knew of few tracts out or
his township, but could not testify as to
any general rule of differentiation from
personal knowledge. Sheriff ]. M. Marsh
burn, testified to substantially the same
as Mr. Herring.
DR.. j. j. Powers Of Pender county, tes-
tilted that he was local physician Of the
Atlantic Coast Line, and that there was
an differentiation of lands from % to 80
per cent, but confined his testimony to
his immediate locality and few tracts
outside. He admitted he knew almost
nothing about the lands of other town
ships. One Of the Sampson witnesses
testified that personal property in his
county was assessed at full value except
horses.