The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-07-31
TO HEAR APPEALS
FROM RAILROADS. SECOND
CLASS ASSESSMENTS.
State Taxation Board VIII Devote -Four
Days Next Week to the Work.
Today's Proceedings.
Especial to tho Evening start


JERSEY CITY, July S1.-The State
Board of Taxation will devote from Tues
day to Friday, inclusive. next week for the
completion of the hearing on the appeals of
the railroads from the second-class prop
erty assessments In Jersey City Tor 1SOo'
Major Carl Lentz, president of the board
wanted to sit today and the rest OF the
week, but e. Amber Armstrong ana
Charles c.. Black had other engagements
and Corporation Counsel George l.. Record
objected to less than the full board con-
tfnuing the hearing.
William d. Edwards, counsel TO the rail-
road companies, objected TO the hearing
going over to next week. He declared that
the city wanted delay, so that 1t could
complete its tax levy with the railroad
valuations further increased.
I'VE propose to increase, the valuations
of last year for this years assessment, IT.
respective of what the board may do on
1906 taxes" Mr.. Record said.
Next Tuesday the board will make an In
spection of the railroad property by boat.
A land trip will follow the water excur-
sion, that day, if possible, and, II not. the
following day.
George L. Record cross-examined Thorn
as A. Ryer, a local real estate agent, who
was put forward by the railroads as an
expert on valuations of property, but could
not secure any very damaging admissions
from him. William H. Brown, another
alleged expert, recalled for cross-examina-
ton, admitted that vacant land all over
Jersey City is greatly increasing in value
because II is adjoining the great metrop-
oils and people are f1ocking here.
Mr.. Brown denied that railroads ruined
adjacent property for profitable residential
use. He showed that he was agent for
twenty-seven houses, with 12Os families in
them, and not an apartment vacant, fac
ing a railroad. In response to questions
he said that other apartments several
blocks from the railroad and of the same
general character and rentals were vacant.
These people would have to live in
more cleanly conditions away from the
railroad" stated Brown, land they OBJ
ject of cleanliness. They like dirt, noise.
smell and smoke. / have frequently found
families who objected to living In cleanly
te~nements."
Mr.. Record asked for a valuation on
Exchange place property, opposite the
Pennsylvania Railroad station.
81 heard of a recent SALE" was the reply,
THAT of Basford & Glenn's Hotel property
next to the First National Bank, being sold
to former Senator William Brinkerhoff for
the Commercial Trust Company at $40. 900 a
lot. The property Is 4ox100. / think that
$685. 600 a lot is a fair price for Exchange
place property
Mr.. Record said that lie knew something
of the Exchange place transaction and that
Senator Brinkerhoff did not buy the prop
erty for the Commercial Trust Company.
He said that he would insist that he be
given an opportunity to produce the SEN
ator to testify as to this purchase, md the
Senator had gone away for the summer
n would not return until September.
rs that the most valuable property n
Jersey City?' Major Lentz asked.
Witness Brown replied that the property
In the Newark avenue business section was
more valuable.