davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-05-03
A SECRET OF THE CORN BELT.

Here is the secret OF the success in corn growing
IN both Wisconsin and Iowa Counting short
courses and long courses. there at the ag-i-
cultural colleges and high schools about eight
hundred students year in each state When these
go out from the schools they organized into
farmers experimental associations. each associa-
ton 10 be a nucleus OF Improvement for its dis
trct. Incidentally. IL may be said. the boys are
told go home and brag. but 10 let the re-
suits speak To these students the seed. corn IS
distributed IL need scarcely Re told that the stu
dents take care both by cultivation and rotation
20 have the soil in perfect condition for II they
also take not 10 plant II near the Eeld or
some slovenly neighbOr. whose weeds and poor
will be blown the fence by the WIND
AS the crop groWs. nefghborng farmers look ara
look again They may sheer az what they can
fancy titles" but II the fancy farming ats 80
more TO the acre In the boys pocket. they are
going 10 ask where he got the seed and buy some
from him. is here the reward comes 20 the stu
dents who have gone 20 the expense OF a scientinS
While common corn sells at rom W 20 80
cents an average of 20 cents. seed corn properly
cured tested and guaranteed 10 give high averages
-pedsreed seed-sells for from s. 70 ~ ouSnei,
I actually have record of Il fancy lot sold AT ~
for the bt!Shei but that abnormal Inc WIS
consin boys OF the agrOnomy department are iaAT
ing in SlOo.OI9 a year for pure peCilgreed sSeu
know or one boy whose father told nm ne coIu
90 I'm for the fancy seed business In corn ana hhtAo
an he liked out of it, and the young rascal 10 nss
fathers utter habbergaStedneSS. put away wv
i'm one summer, beating HIS fathers income
know of another boy paving hts way throush- So.
Irge who sold 800 bushels of Silver King Al - -
lhe bushel-The Outing Magazine
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-05-03
STATE IN ARREARS TO CITY.

There are various methods of collecting arrears
still operative in New York City. All arrears an
tedating consolidation may be collected in the
ner prescribed by the laws affecting those partic-
ular sections. Portions of Queens and Richmond
boroughs formerly under the tax system pre-
scribed country districts. In the country IL Is
the custom assess property in the name of the
owner. In the city the property assessed is made
the debtor.
In the country when taxes are in arrears the
collection finally turned to the Controller
Of the State in lieu of state taxes (whenever a
state is levied. AS result. there are many
parcels in outlying portions of the city which have
been bid in at different times by the state at tax
Many of these the state has disposed Of. and
some Of them still held by the State Controller
In the old townships OF Brooklyn, Queens and
Richmond many parcels which have passed
through the states hands. list Of these prop
critics Just been obtained by Mr. Moynahan.
the Collector Of Arrears and Assessments The
pile OF sheets containing the records Of those in
Richmond alone is four inches high.
The state is in to the city for assessments
on its properties TO unknown amount. An ef-
fort is being made 10 determine the amount
OF the states Indebtedness.
Some arrearages in Brooklyn collected under
the terms of the "Evarts" law. In Queens all the
arrearages antedating 1898 collected under the
particular law which applies, those Of Flushing for
instance coming under the law for rural regions.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-05-03
THE ELEVATED ROADS CASE.

Mr.. Hinrichs pushed another delinquency tax
case also that made considerable noise in its day.
That the against the Brooklyn elevated
railroads. These companies. according to Mr.. Hin
richs's report, in arrears more than 10000.
$4,000 In discussing the assessors valuation OF
$4,000 mile OF road and the valuation agreed
upon between the city and the railroad company
OF 100000 a mile, he showed that its bonded in
debtedness. the bonds being sold in Wall Street
above par at the time. nearly $4,000 mile.
This report of Mr.. Hnrichss is hard to find. It's
author has believed for some time that effort
has been made by one TO suppress it. He has
been unable 10 find until recently. There is
IN the Astor Library. In the copy owned by
law library in the Postoffce Building the six
pages containing a reference TO the elevated rail-
road cases were found by a representative OF The
Tribune to have been cut out.
Many parcels in Long Island City and Queens
demonstrate that may eat ones cake and still
have il. People are living in homes which are lit
orally buried in arrearages. They not obliged
TO pay rent. and there is little incentive to pay
TO advantage. Long Island City has suffered
of ''battle-axe' fame, not overzealous in this
respect when he controlled politics in that por-
ton of the city. More than the people of that
community have been obliged to ask for legislative
permission to scale down their arrearages IN order
obtain some measure of the money due the city.
Affairs became bad that a choice Of two meth
DDS of collecting arrears was given the collector
He could sell outright sell lease
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-05-03

ages. they were prevented from forcibly collecting
the latter In this fashion the delinQuents could
allow their subsequent taxes and assessments to
pile up without interference. They were actually
protected by the city charter from paying taxes.
Mr.. Hinrichs took the bull by the horns. AS soon
as he assumed Office he threatened to sell lot
OF the property. The day before the sale was TO
take place the legal guns OF the big delinQuents
Were trained. six injunctions being served on him.
The injunctions were dissolved and again Mr.. Hin
richs threatened a sale. The city was again served
with injunctions, and six actions were brought
in the Brooklyn City Court This court agreed with
the previous decisions but decided to continue the
intunctions for trial before Chief Judge Clement
upon condition that $4,000 be paid account.
This sum the largest amount which had been
paid in by individuals into the treasury of
the city of Brooklyn. The Litchfelds. however, in
this transaction able 10 gain something for
themselves, according to Mr.. Hnrchss official re-
port. The court gave them tie privilege of Sc
lecting which parcels the money should apply In
liquidation OF the They selected those
which the smallest arrearages, and which.
therefore, were the most desirable TO be offered
for sale by the city. The parcels on which there
heavy incumbrance that IL would be
very difficult for the city sell them were not
deemed. In the end the difficulty was settled by
a compromise by which the Litchfelds. II Is said,
ayedr han in
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-05-03

which shall have accrued up 70 the osio u
the first advertisement Of sale. will be soih at ue
ton to the person shall bid the lowest rate OF
interest. not exceeding IL per cent Upon payment
of the purchase money a conveyance OF the tax
lien" payable In three years, will be executed oS
the city to the purchaser The city will guarantee
the validity OF the lien that the only risk TAKEN
by the purchaser viii be the sufficient vaiue OF
the property affected by the lien and the possible
trouble Of collection.
Transfers of tax liens will be registered In the
Office of the Collector of Assessments and Arrears,
and recordable in the office of the Register
The procedure for collection will be the same "a
for the collection Of a mortgage 1t will become
due after default in the payment OF the interest
for thirty days after default IN the payment OF
any subsequently accruing tax assessment or
water rent for six months. Tax liens will be
exempt from all taxes except the inheritance tax
Tho advantages claimed for "tax liens are that
they will be a thoroughly safe investment as they
will be the first liens city real estate ana II
tax liens readily salable the city Will no
longer be kept OF the of its proper income.
the trouble and expense of collection being trans
ferred from the city to private parties.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-05-03
MAKING A TARGET OF A WARSHIP
Chambers street

several shots from the 4-inch and Finch guns OF
the Arkansas Will probably be aimed the ex-
pern,ental military mast that has been erected on
the stern of the Florida
1T IS not desired to make known the details OF
the torpedo test. for obvious but II will
suffice TO say that or two torpedoes may be
exploded against the bottom OF the Florida under
such conditions that salvage operations. II neces
sary. VIII not be difficult. 1t is not intended 20 de
stroy the vessel do more than local injury, and
she will he restored to her former condition OF
fulness practicable after the necessary
experimental data have been obtained
These tests will probably about the middle
of May and for obvious reasons IL is not desired
that any but officials directly concerned should be
present. The general results far may be per-
lnissible proper. will be given to the press as
soon practicable after the conclusion of the
and the submission OF all reports in relation
thereto"
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-05-03
TAX TITLES BAD.

New York titles VIGOROUSLY bad. The
penalties which have been put upon the owner
have been great that the courts have shown
that they will do what they to protect the
owner who is in danger Of losing possession of
parcel worth number OF thousands of dollars be-
cause he cannot pay hundred dollars in arrear-
ages The technicaties of tax sale scruti
nized most carefully when the owner appeals for
protection and when there is loophole they give
him the benefit of it. For this reason II is COM
monty believed that valid lease sold for arrears
is almost unknown.
Under the charter the lard is not sold outright.
A lease of the property is given by the city to the
person who will agree to pay the taxes with in
terest and cost. The term of the lease is de-
;ermined by bidding. the bidder who will take IL
for the least number OF years being the one 10
whom it is given. Owing TO the difficulty Of de-
Tending title OF leases, there is not Voracous
demand for them Not infreQuently the leases are
knocked Down for one thousand years. this being
the shortest for which any one will undertake
TO pay the membranes. In the great majority OF
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-05-03
CITY TO LODGE
LIN A SKYSCRAPER
Expected TO BE n LAND
LORD, TOO.
Plans for Home for Municipal De-
partments Call for S7,O00,O00
Structure of 81 Stories.

II the plans which have been prepared by Mcfim,
Mead 8 White and selected from number OF 9TH
by jury of award, composed OF Messrs- KIM
ball, Day & Boring, architects. are finally &C
copied New York will some day have one OF the
most imposing municipal buildings in the country.
The structure provided for in the designs selected
is to contain thirty-four counting the tower
stories and to occupy practically all Of the Dig
triangle bounded by Park Row and Centre. and
Duane streets and divided by Chambers street
It's estimated cost is 100000 and provision IL
made for housing within 1t not only all of the city
departments. with the exception of the Police.
Fire and Health departments. but for large
amount OF space which may be rented at con-
siderable annual income the city 1t Is estf-
mated that $4,000 will he saved the city each year
through the centrazing Of various city DEPART
ments In this way.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-05-03

very close APPROXIMATION to the framing and in
terror subdivision OF the latest batueships-
The tests will be in two series-a gunfre test
and a torpedo test These tests will take place
under the Joint cognizance OF the bureaus OF
struction and repair and ordnance a-
For the former the Arkansas. sister ship will
fire Finch proJectile loaded with high explosive.
10 strike the Floridas with energy little
short OF penetration in such a way that most OF
the fragments will fly across the bows clear OF the
ship II IS not intended to penetrate the turret
armor and the Is In respect contest OF
gun against armor armor against gun, the effect
OF the shock only being desired. The shock. under
the conditions above noted, will be approximately
tie greatest that could be experienced in battle.
This will probably be the only shot fired against
armor but another glancing blow against one side
OF the turret may possibly be decided
After the inspection Of the results Of this test
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-05-03

fsh war the others being the Nevada and the Wy
oring all OF them completed scarcely five years
ago. Each have two l2-inch guns in single tur-
rats and four 4-inch rapid FIRE rifles in broadside
Their turret armor is inches thick. The Arkansas
which will make the attack her sister ship. Is
now one OF the training vessels at the Naval Acad-
envy and is in prime condition in every way. The
Florida which will be the target, Is now out OF
commission at the Norfolk Navy Yard and Will be
rowed 10 the battle-ground next week. The Navy
Department has issued the following official state
nient explaining the proposed trial with hlgh-power
projectiles and torpedoes against the most MOD
ern marine target assaulted:
THE object Of these experiments is to obtain
comuIetc and accurate information, in practical
.yay concerning actual effect upon the internal
fittings and other portions OF a ships structure OF
gun and torp~uo attack under present conditions.
,"rhe Florida a comparatively modern ship. was
seIected because her internal subdivision permits
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-05-03
AN ARTISTIC sKYsCRAPER.

An attempt has been made tn the design selected
by ths Jury TO provide a building near the truly
artistic the architects thought possible when
dealing with skyscraper construction The styls Is
French Renaissance. with exterior columns. The
architects have made definite specifications to
material to be used, but light stone Will prob
ably be employed. Final decision this and other
points well Just what shall be done about
actual construction this year Is IN the hands OF
Mayor Mcclellan. Bridge Commissioner Stevenson
and the Board OF Estimate.
The building will front in Centre street, and a
peculiar of its construction IS the fact that
Chambers street IS to be continued through IL by
means Of big arcade This provision for the con-
tnuation Of Chambers street well constructing
over the subway without interfering with the pas
sage of trains made the architectural problem pre-
scented q rather unusual one. Another feature OF
the proposed building unusual IN present day sky
scrapers is that interior court has been provided
for 1t found feasible to do away with such
afrshafts OF the location OF the building IN
triangle well lighted practically all sides.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-05-03
NEW PLAN TO GET
A HUNDRED MILLIONS
BILL AIMED At TAX DE
LINQUENTS.
Measure Prouides for First Lien on
Property in Arrears-City
Can Sell Ii.

II Father Knickerbccker could put into his trou-
sers pockets all the money that is due him from
hack taxes ne would receive enough 20 pay for the
construction OF the proposed Brooklyn and Bronx
s1.hvvays Tnlappfly. il he could get Il the
money could not he used for subways. for II has
been spent II Il had been received from this
source instead OF from bonds charged up against
81 The 6el.nQuents owe the city the huge sum of
rre "a 81 e. This includes sI7ceoooO for 1907
considerable portion OF this, doubtless. will never
he recovered nearly half OF its7, S4S 4ss Of. 10
10 axsct-represents arrears in personal taxes, and
-,os+ Of this amount has been adt1dged uncollect
mic hy the Board OF Estimate and Aportionment-
az the balance. nearly one-Quarter IS arrears on
,-archises OF public service corporations. or this
amount probably only three-Quarters will be paid
.--o the treasury OF the city ultimately. Approx
rratev go 0aato IS real estate. OF the arrears
on real estate about $4,000 sntedate the con-
.olgaatson o. the city. IN fact the city records
.hor a-rearages dating from each year as far
Rack gs ISL Although the arrears for that year
-s--ecertIy discovered, amounted TO only 66 cents
with interest bringing them 10 about g 50), the
ovr-e- az the parcel the title OF which lay a
}or6 IN consequence glad 10 turn into the city
amount ~ The claim,
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-05-03
THE COLLECTION PROBLEM.

7, tie various claims Of the city modest
s this one = would be little troubled. In part al
1ees- the present method OF collecting arrears IS
responsible this condition Of affairs 1t is only
RECENTLY that < has approximately been known what
the assets Ct the city were, the arreaTages having
been buried fl a library Of 1890 volumes. law
which Il Is believed VIII be a solution Of the
17-obae11 Of collecting back taxes quietly
PASSED by the recent session Of the Legislature.
TIE man who VIII not pay his taxes is a white
elephant. Up "a the present time he has been a
problem. not alone 10 New York City. but the
whole country The community, according TO the
general belief. IS entitled the Squeezing
them from unwilling citizens landpoor pockets
Is SO thankess a task that many collectors shy
sEay from il Then the taxes pile UP year after
yea- FOR who enjoys paying for a dead horse?
In New York is a parcel Of property valued at
s5l No taxes have been paid upon 1t since the
Civil War. and for forty years water rates
tine aggregate s.eo and the interest $500 the to-
tai sum equivalent 70 the assessed value Of the
property. Several times II has been offered for
sale by the Collector OF Arrears, but each time it
has been bid n by some representative Of the
gave the owner the use OF the property until the
ing rents from it
TIE total number Of years for which Il has been
leased ny city the different sales Of leases is
447o In other words, If the city had been cock
is;ent with Babylonia and ancient Egypt, and the
lease Of his property had been made 1850 years
before TIE exodus the Israelites from Egypt the
heirs Of the early might be getting out
their clay tablets for the purpose OF proving their
rights end claiming their property
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-05-03
A 100000 DELINQUENT.

When Frederic " Hinrichs became Register OF
Arrears in 1884 he found that the arrearages OF
this estate with interest. almost $SJecjo About
$50 90 q this amount represented about which
There could no dispLto, but The city charter
forbade sales for arrears subsequent 10 those ad-
5lsted h. decisions under the laws Of 1889 and 1853
IN other words. The earlier taxes had not been
paid, and were 50 large that there promised 10 he
difficulty in collecting ihefn and certainly not with
cut dispute long the city officials failed 10
settle the questions raised the earlier srrear-
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-05-03
II. S. Monitor Arkansas to
Fire on the
Florida.


Washington May about the middle OF THIS
month. IN Chesapeake Bay, two American hFmored
varships typical OF modern construction, VIII be
,r, 10 the supreme test OF Stimulating actual battle
conditions. firing "A great gun twice at Inc
other at close range and finally exploding torpedoes
under her arnor belt The one-sded conflct ID
desirned 10 settle some of the academic controver-
sic. ne, ,,er ordnance and construction experts and
10 he of practical value in the design OF the Two
new battleships just authorized by Congress the
vessels the Arkansas and Inc flotloA' t"o
Of thu four Identical monitors built since the span
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-05-03
MANY PURCHASES BY CITY.

In the various periods Of depression which have
visited this country since 1900 the city has been
compelled 70 purchase at tax sales thousands of
alone for arrearages representing S5opo0oo- Up
s. have simply been carried on the books of the
city, no attempt being made TO take possession OF
property and collect the reimburse the
city They have been carried upon the sales ledger
awaiting a forced redemption when some lawyer
title company refused 10 guarantee clear title.
TIE antiquity OF OF these unpaid claims is
illustrated in the of a piece of property de-
sired by John Wannamaker, when he built his new
store At Aston Place. Il was found that he could
uot obtain a clear title this particular parcel
because an assessment for the repair Of wooden
sewer which in front Of the place many years
ago had not been paid II amounted to s. 50 With
TIE increase n value OF land Manhattan, the
value q the land bic by the city many years
ago has been greatly augmented.
When taxes. assessments and interest have been
permitted pile Up point where they equal
OF exceed the value OF the property the city is at
& disadvantage. Catching the delinquent taxpayer
rhen becomes as difficult Selling flea 1t would
cost 50 much more than the property is worth to
pay the taA- and the expenses Of the sale that
4 the city puts il up for sale one will bid on
il. and the city is placed in the predicament OF
hiding 4 letting Il 60 There are parcels Of
real estate owners are receiving the eTloiu-
Treurs their property without Interference from
the city because the arrears have become so large
that TIE city can DO nothing with the property
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-05-03
LOWERING THE ARREARS.

Wien conditions reach this pass the only action
which can De taken is 10 obtain the right to scale
down the arrears. with the intention Of obtaining.
q least part Of the Twice the old city OF
BROOKLYN vas obliged submit TO this process 10
the injury Of the Iaw-abiding citizens VINO
corscientiousy paid their taxes In the early S1s'
owing partly 10 neglect in the enforcement OF tax
payments. the arrears had accumulated TO an
amount in excess OF $12.eJo05o- one enabling act
after another was passed, beginning with the law
- 1850. reducing in various ways the amounts que
TIE city provided the owners Of parcels IN ar
Tears would settle according to the provisions OF
iayg. Every e1cou-ageTnen was held out TO De
lnquents and valuations were reduced and inter
est charges renlltted or lowered, and taxpayers
allowed a. thel- option pay in instruments
Many availed themselves Of the benefits Of the
law. ~ the tine MAYOR Low entered once. now
eyer. conditions were still 50 bad that the arrears
,e-e ia e,eaSe ~ 100000 Then followed the
.rasesre q he wei known "Eyarts' law, Whlch
permitted the city TO sell the property outright
giving after q certain period i deed 10 the PuI-
chaser. The delinquent receiving the surplus Il
t1ere was any after the arrears interest," On" ''
q selling had been met There were many reonc-
tons made ia The arrears. and many citizens
svsiled themselves Of the opportunity 10 Gear
their titles
One % The most famous tax cases in the history
% BROOKLYN was that Of the Litchf1eld family Inc
L,tchHelds held z considerable tract # land IN the
Flsrbz,sh section A portion Of II IS Included In
Prospect Park the Litchfeld mansion being pre-
served and used as the headquarters OF the PARK
Department The family retained much land on the
park slope bordering the west side OF the park
TIE improvement Of this property was long de-
layed ~ the fact that arrearages amounting 70
hundreds q thousands Of dollars permitted 10
accumulate.
tn excuse given for failing 20 take action was
tea the owners intin.ated that they would raise
0 Sons OF legal questions attacking the consul
tgt!orairv ce the .'EvaTts' law and questioning
the regularity or validity OF the various tax as
sessunents thus throwing cloud upon every sale