Perth Amboy evening news., 1906-10-13
South AmbOy One
of The Places
M G entiOned.
DISOBEYED THE LAW.
Hillery Maximum Tax Law Dir
eCts that Tax Rate for 1906
Shall Not Exceed Rate for
1906 Complications
This Year II is SI.75.
special to The EVENING NEWS /:

Special to the EVENING NEWS:
TRENTON, Oct 13=Returns filed
with the State Board of Assessors
show that South Amboy is one OF
thirty taxing districts in New Jersey
that have disobeyed the provision OF
the Hillery maximum tax law passed
last winter which directs that the tax
rate for 1906 shall not exceed the
rate for 1905. This fact has occa-
stoned considerable uneasiness upon
the part of officials of the state adj
ministration who are fearful that
grave complications may result when
the time comes to fix the average tax
rate of the state for the purpose OF
levying the assessments against rail-
road property under the Perkins act
of the last legislature.
Chapter 116 of the laws of 1906,
which is the Hillery act, provides
that the tax rate for this year in any
taxing district shall not exceed the
rate of last year. After this year the
rate is to be diminished annually at
the rate of five cents on the 500 un-
til it is reduced to 81 rs, in all tax
ing districts where the tax rate did
not exceed 50 in 1905. In taxing
districts where the rate exceeded So
in 1905 it must be diminished annu-
ally at the rate of ten cents on the
500 until it reaches So, and there
after must be diminished at the rate
of five cents on the 500 annually
until it reaches $1.75. The law pro-
vides also that any tax levied in ex-
cess of the limitations of the act shall
be void as to such excess.
The situation presented by the fall
ure of the taxing districts in question
to comply with the law will likely
lead to serious complications in the
respective districts also. The tax
duplicates will shortly be turned over
to the collectors and the tax bills
should be sent out Immediately. OF
4 cor~so the bills will be based on the
r ) as fixed by the tax boards. But
- Hillery law steps in and says that
the rate as far as it is in excess OF
that of last year is invalid. 1t is ex-
pected therefore, that tax payers In
the districts in question will object
to paying tax at rate higher than
that of 1905. There is where the
trouble will come as far as the local
tax authorities are concerned.
The situation regarding railroads
is different In the Judgment Of the
State Board of Assessors, it Is the
/ duty of that body to accept the rates
certified to 1t by the municipalities
and to use them in computing the
average tax rate, regardless of whe-
ther they are higher or lower than the
rate of last year. The railroad COM
panies have already manifested de-
cided inclination to combat the new
tax laws at every vulnerable point
and the fear of the state ApthQrities
is that the existing condito conWay
give the companies an oppsessment to
carry into court the asenDer. tn
be made on the basis r oase was
rate 1t is believed t. Ganratsn,,
nies would claim thwrit was de-
rate being computed Che opinion
several of which were c )sa1,
therefore, the average pr abedst be
! invalid. assY
Thus far no steps have Dlyh taken
to correct the rates in the munieipal-
tiles referred to, but it is probable
/ that the matter will soon be officially
brought to the attention of Attorney
General McCarter, with request for
an opinion If he considers it prop
er course, the County Tax Boards will
be asked to take it up with the local
boards within their respective juris-
dictions
The State Board of Assessors has
not yet received complete returns OF
the tax rates fiyed by all municipalt-
ties.