The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-09-04
LOWER THE TAX RATE.


grieved because of the large increase III
the assessment of real property IN the
city of Raleigh are considering what
course they ought to pursue. They went
before the Board of Equalization with
their complaint That body made several
reductions in the assessments. 1t is no
doubt true that there are other lnequah
ties. and it is certain that property Is
assessed upon higher basis in Raleigh
than in most other towns and cities. But
the fact remains that, with few excep-
tions, the property in Raleigh Is assessed
at its true value in money" There
have been seven important sales OF real
estate in Raleigh since the assessment was
made One piece assessed at $4,000 brought
$4,000, one piece brought the exact
amount of the assessment. and all the
Others brought a pretty good increase
over the assessment. On Wednesday the
Fowle property, on the corner Of Fay
etteville and Davie streets was sold at
public auction for division. Prior to this
year it had been assessed at $4,000. The
assessors increased it to $1,000, The
representatives of the owners protested
to the Board of Equalization that the
increase was too great, and asked to
have it reduced to $4,000. AT the sale on
Wednesday the property brought $500,
and the owners declined to accept the
bid, and are holding the property for
ten thousand dollars.
In view of these facts, while it is true
that some real property may be assessed
at too high a figure, (there is very little
of it. and it will hardly be possible to
obtain any general reduction) we submit
to the gentlemen who are leading the
fight for reduction of the assessment that
the best course for them to pursue is to
abandon their effort to secure a re-assess-
mont, and to join with the News and OBJ
server in an earnest effort to secure
reduction of the tax rate in the city Of
With the increased assessment, both the
county and city authorities can reduce
the tax rate twenty per cent and still
have an income larger than at present
an income sufficient for all the needs of
the city and county governments
economically administered" There is
reason for close economy-rigid economy,
if you please-and the taxpayers are on
strong ground when they ask for It,
Their argument is so unanswerable, in
view Of the increased assessment, that
there ought to be no hesitation on the
part of the board of aldermen and the
Board of County Commissioners in reduc-
ing the tax rate about in keeping with
the increase in the assessment of property.
The ideal system OF taxation is full
assessment and low tax rate. The Off
Gals can sustain themselves when they
increase assessment Of property to the
true value In money! provided they
give a corresponding reduction in the tax
rate The city of Raleigh can be run
on its present income and should be con-
Quoted upon the amount of taxes collected
last year. The same is true of the coun-
ty of Wake OF course both could spend
more money in progressive measures, but
the people prefer a return to strict
economy and old fashioned simplicity and
a lower tax rate.
The board of aldermen meet tonight
and the County Commissioners meet next
Monday. The matter ought to be brought
to their attention at once, so that the
tax rate may be reduced before the taxes
are collected on the new assessment. Tie
returns are not all in yet and these bodies
will not be able to act until they know
exactly how great will be the increase
in the assessments, but the matter should
he presented so that the rate may be re-
duced before the tax books are put Iii
the hands of the sheriff and tax collector.
Reduce the tax rate for city and county
purposesi
The Richmond Dispatch THINKS