The Jersey City news., 1902-10-16
RAILROAD VALUES
State Tax Board Considers
the Central Railroads
Appeal From Local
Assessments.
LONG LEGAL wRANGLE
Commissioners Endeavor to
Ascertain the Worth of
Company's Water
Front.
LONG LEGAL WRANGLE

The State Board of Taxation resumed
Is hearing in the Central Railroads APP
zeal at the City Hall this afternoon. All
he Commissioners were present. The
Board was scheduled to meet at II
'cloek. 1t was three-quarters of an hour
ate in getting down to business. owing
the tardiness of Engineer Edlow W.
Harrison. expert for the city, who had
lot finished his testimony when the
Board adjourned Iast week
William D. Edwards represented the
ailroad and Corporation Counsel Record
nd Corporation Attorney Queen looked
ut for the city's interests.
Former Mayor Herman Walker. of
suttenberg, put in an appearance as an
dditional expert for the city. He is
aniliar with shore front values in the
crthern part of the County.
Shortly after Mr.. Harrison went on
he stand aNlong legal wrangle took place
ver testimony as to railroad values
which was based on reports in Poor's
Manual, railway authority.
IN 4 LEGAL WRANGLE.
Mr. Edwards vigorously objected to
he testimony Mr.. Record said that it
vas the purpose of the city. with the
assistance of the witness, to show that
he Centrals property in question is ap-
iroximating the coming into use as
abroad terminal IF this is So he
aid. sit is an clement Of market value
vhich should be taken into consideration
" the State Board"
Major Lentz wanted to exclude testi-
nony of values of railroad property
,ased on the contents of the manual
Commissioner Black suggested that the
scoks themselves be produced.
Mr.. Harrison instructed his Office boy
o go To- hissoflies and get the manuals
or 1891 and 1901.
And bring me the manuals for 1885
md 1897" said Mr.. Edwards. Mr..
Harrison objected to that and the Com
nissioners had laugh at his expense.
Mr.. Harrison, continuing, went into
ong dissertation on the increases of rail
oad traffic. mileage, etc., as based upon
he railroad reports He said that the
Increase of the Pennsylvania Railroads
rafiic from 1885 to 1901 has been 2T3
Ter cent. while the Central Railroads
Increase had been 166 per cent.
The miles of yardage of the Central,
le said, had increased from "a to 65
niles in fifteen years, while today the
Increase was about 165 per cent
What has been the Centrars increase
tracks in ten years?1 asked Commits
ioner Thompson.
.'In 1890 the road had 266,000 feet of
racks; in 1900, $4,000 feet" answered
lie witness.
Mr. Harrison said that the increase of
zeal estate in Jersey City in ten years
lad been SO per cent.
JEALOUS LENTZ.
Major Lentz replied that the ether
members of the Board had their heads
ogether. He. said:-"Give me a show,
,entlelnen, in these conferences. | am
Eiliing to go as far as any of you. If
rou agree to admit all testimony let me
znow.'
Il think the time has come for us to
put the bars down." said Commissioner
thompson.
1t seemed to be the opinion of the
Commissioners that Mr.. Edwards was
walking all over Mr. Record and that
he Corporation Counsel was making a
poor shew for the City. Mr.. Record
ooked determined and indignant and
,ften scowled when Mr. Edwards OBJ
lected to some questions which struck
aim as ridiculous. Mr.. Edwards, on the
,tller hand, was in his best humor. He
apparently got lot of fun out of Mr..
Records frame of mind.
The Board decided to allow much lati-
ude IN the matter of questions, which
aused AR Edwards to exclaim, IAN
light let her rip"
The Board decided not to adjourn for
unch. 1t will remain in session until 4
'cloek. Major Lentz said he could stand
tif he only had an apple. A messenger
vas sent for one.