The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-07-23
LENTZ
AND RECORD
IN TILT
Former Accuses Latter Of
Talking for Newspapers in
Jersey City Tax Hearing.
Especial to ths evening start

JERSEY CITY, July 23.-The State
Board of Taxation today in the City
Hall, Jersey City, resumed the hearing
of the demand OF the railroads with Sec
ond-class property in Jersey City that
the assessments fixed by the Jersey
City Tax Board for 1906 on this prop
erty be reduced, as 1t was above true
value.
William H. Corbin and William d.
Edwards, of counsel to the railroads
which have united in the fight against
Jersey City, put on the stand William
Fl. Brown, of the Frank ]. Mathews
Company, who is using the informa-
ton he secured in handling property
for that company, for the benefit OF
the railroads. At his elbow was Thomas
A. Ryer, another real estate man, who
makes suggestions to Brown on values.
President Lentz, of the board. and
Mr.. Record had one of their customary
encounters this morning. Mr.. Record
had complained to the board that he
was at great disadvantage because he
could not have President John H.
Weastell, of the local tax board, on
hand when he would have to cross-ex-
anime Brown.
"Our three tax assessors" said Mr. Rec
ord, "are working day and night to COM
plete the reassessment of the city by Au-
gust /. | cannot ask Mr. Weastel who
made the shore-front assessments. to drop
that important reassessment work and
spend several days here"
Major Lentz insisted that Mr.. Record
eross-examine Brown, who had testified to
the valuations that the Lackawanna Rail-
road considered to be true value for its
second-closs property, before Mr.. Brown
tested as TO the Erie and Pennsylvania
III am compelled to call Mr.. Weastell
here | want it TO go on the records" de-
clared Mr.. Record, that his assessment
work was stopped so that If 1t Is not COM
pleted in rime the city can show why
keep that Off the record" commanded
President Lentz.
Il demand that 1t go on insisted Mr..
Record.
"'You are talking to the newspapers"
cried Lentz.
Record.
'It will not be put on the records"
shouted Lentz.
Record was sat on by the board, as e.
Amber Armstrong and Mr.. Trick agreed
with Major Lentz
Mr.. Edwards then had Brown testify
that the railroad property that the city
assessed from $50 900 to 100000 an acre was
worth only $4,000 an acre. Mr.. Brown
testified as to the valuations he placed
upon the property of individuals adjoining
railroad property
He fixed values at from 81, 1000 to $4,000
a lot for private property, and showed
that the city has assessed similar railroad
property from $1,000 to $1,000 a lot
Mr.. Record admitted very promptly that
the city had assessed railroad property
Mt much higher valuation than adjoining
private property, because the city con-
sidered 1t more valuable when it became
railroad property.
Counsel TO the railroads made a great
splurge over some testimony that Brown
gave that the city has underassessed sew
eral lots or Henderson street, between
Fifteenth and Sixteenth streets that are
owned by the Lackawanna Railroad. These
few lots were assessed at 81. 200 and Mr.
Brown testified that the true value was
$l,500
''The city didn't know that it was rail-
road property" asserted Mr.. Edwards,
''or it would not have escaped with less
than a 200 assessment
''You are to be commended for showing
that the city had underassessed some Of
your property" Majar Lentz said
I'VE expect double pay for our candoF,"
Mr.. Edwards answered.
"we don't claim any credit for it,"
stated Mr.. Corbin.
ut reminds me- declared Mr.. Record,
"of railroad company reporting to the
State Board of Assessors that a $50 flag
shanty was underassessed."