Perth Amboy evening news., 1906-01-09

&@19G4 AOdAAkl y W $500
this tract may practically become a part
of the forestry reservation of the state.
acquisition of such tracts tends to
the preservation of our water supply. In
deed, a state forestry reservation should
hand in hand with the conservation of
our water sources and potable streams.
Already our large municipalities are fear
ing water famines. Too much care can
not be exercised to avoid this calamity,
and If legislative action can aid 1t should
be taken promptly before the danger is
upon us.
State Property In Potable Water.
We have los fresh water lakes distribut-
ed throughout the state, covering 14,O00
acres. Where practicable these should be
set apart as public parks and carefully
for the use of the people of the
state. They should become the property
OF the state in connection with its for
estry reservation. The state now owns
no potable waters, but it could acquire
these lakes and through the ownership of
reservations the sources of our
potable streams.
l suggest. subject to the Judgment of
the legislature, that some commission,
preferably the riparian. be authorized to
investigate this proposition, its practical
bility and probable cost and if possible
make at least a partial report at this SEES.
sionsof, the legislature If it be found that
some preliminary legislation is necessary.
Passaie River Pollution.
The publication of the Passaic river Is
still an unsolved problem.
Its .ettlement should no longer be de-
ferred. The way to purify the Passaic
river Is TO agree upon some practical
method rather than talk about it for the
next ten years. There must be some
settlement. Constitutional legis-
lation and an agreement among the af-
fected communities are the essential fac
tors in this proposition. Legislation is
difficult in a controversy between two
communities and heretofore has been sue
cessful only through a special session
which left a worthless legacy to the
courts. Newark and Paterson nave not
been altogether in harmony on the sub
ject, although. as a matter of fact, their
are not incompatible. Two such
municipalities should meet
through their representatives in a bust
conference for the purpose not
of disagreeing, but of agreeing. Some
should be provided. Let it be done
fairness to all and hardship to none
Taxation.
The execution of our tax laws remains
unsatisfactory. Inequality of valuations,
'He sSo"p0 Pei9ohoi pioPeitS anu Vdri-
Gus forms of tax evasions are intensifying
the dissatisfaction. Whatever theory may
be held as to the wisdom of taxing per.
sonal property, that subject is not a ques-
ton of debate so long as our constitution
requires IL 10 De taxed. Personal property
mas multiplied rapluiy III the last decade
not only through increased production,
out through the various forms of bond
ana STOCK issues. Our tax levles, how
ever, faisify this well known fact. The
per capita value OF assessed personal prop
erty In 1879 was STA; in 1904 1t was $I2.
rms statement needs no The
value OF our real property in
creased from slzI,ooo'oVo IN 1888 TO $9l2,lS2,-
o94 In l9o4, over llo per cent. Our assessed
personal property IN 1873 was sl2s,0U,oOO
ana IN 1914 slo",-f'9e.' an increase OF less
~ per cent.
According to the census reports and
other statistical data, We had at the last
census tangible personal property in the
state amounting to $533,c0.Go. and to this
can be added Intangible personal property
consisting of trust company. bank stocks
and insurance values amounting to $780,
o $1,000, making the total over $3.50, 900. 600
as against an assessment of S153,2+f.9S7,
and this does not include over SZ0o.0W.000
OF cash deposits, which some hold merely
other forms of property. APP
nearly So0o,VW,UU OF tangible per-
sonal property escapes the assessor. This
is about 90 per cent of the present assess
valuations of all property in the state
and If assessed should result in reducing
the tax rates ~ l-3 per cent on the pres
emit basis OF expenditure. Real estate is
clearly bearing an unfair share of taxa
nronortion Of taxes than tbe we'll 70 do.
vast deal of property now ESCAPES through
lack of courage or through fayoritism on
the part of officials.
The claim that it Is impossible to find
and list property that now escapes the
assessors is the cry of incompetence
What the census taker can find the as
SCISSOR surely can find. Recent events
have shown that other reforms once said
to be impossible can be accomplished.
Reform In this direction is no exception
to the rule. Massachusetts which COM
pares with our state in many particulars.
inds $5s7 worth of personal property per
,apita for assessment. New Jersey should
De able to find more than s72.
The lack of uniformity in valuations
ino assessments Is Wen KNOWN rms is
argeiy que TO a system tnae oepends upon
ne varying Judgments OF o0 OF more nit-
'erent tax assessors win as many oiHef-
ent views. In some states uniformity is
secured py a state poaru OF a county
BOARD making a compete valuation or all