The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1908-02-11

The Tax Question.

attention in different localities, but Mer
: chantville seems to be the most active II
: stirring up the matter in an endeavor tC
secure what the residents of that place
think will be most beneficial to them.
The Philadelphia Ledger has instituted
a literary bureau, evidently for the benefit
of the people of Merchantville and along
r the river front where the paper circulates
, largely. On the merits of the subject
THE News is not yet prepared to speak,
but 1t does take exceptions to the inter.
views printed in the city paper, all OF
which have been denunciatory of the pre-
sent tax system, the favorable comments
not being sought and not being printed
when secured, with one possible exception.
Besides some of the interviews published
are not as given to the reporter who ia
handling the subject. There is no objec-
ton to fair statement, even though it be
opposite to our views, but the truth
should be adhered to. As an instance of
one of these interviews the Ledger con-
tanned the following:
"Joseph G. Kingdom, of Mount Holly,
another member of the county board,
said: We'll, has not Governor Fort recon-
mended a change in the present tax law
If the Governor wants to abolish the
County Board of Taxation do not intend
to fight the movement Ihave other bust
ness to attend to, so the present movement
does not worry me.
The interview above reported was over
the telephone, and the true statement was
this: lis this Mr.. Kingdom" Eyes +"
''This is Bowen, of the Ledger. Have you
read the account of the movement on
taxes in MerchantvilleT mo. What is
itr' "Well. the people there started a
movement for their own benefit, but it has
grown to such an extent that they propose
to ask people all over the state to join. >
What is the idea ?'' practically to abol-
ish the County Boards of Taxation p
'Well, that was recommended by Govern
or Fort in his inaugural" "You think it
will be done, then9" cit will If the Leg
islature passes bill to such effect. :"
'1What have you got to say about it p
Nothing" Then the phone rang off.
Quite difference In the two statements.
The above may not be fair sample of
all the interviews, but if the people quo
ted haye answered as published they GER
tainly should look up their statistics.
Magistrate Ziegler, of Riverside, is shown
as saying that the growth of our thriv-
ing little town has been affected by the
high taxes" Yet, in December, the
Ri0erside Press published the following;
During the present year there has been
expended in Riverside for building opera
lions many thousands of dollars. The
immense amount includes a watchcase
factory which will cost half million or
more, new Methodist church, which may
cost before entirely finished, nearly $780,
900; A. ZurBrugg's new brick warehouse;
Druggist Pines almost entirely new drug
store; possible new post office; besides
other private dwellings and various other
smaller operations which will foot up a
large sum. Surely, 1t has been a pros
per Gus year in the history of Riverside. "
There you have two statements, one that
the town has been seriously affected, the
other that it has been given great year.
In addition to this there appeared in tn 6
locals of Philadelphia paper in January
this item under the heading of River
side: samuel Stern is erecting two double
houses onTaylor street. Both houses were
rented before the cellar walls were finish |
ed, and now Mr.. Stern is considering the
plan of building whole row of houses. -
Another interview" was that with |
Thomas E. Steele, who is mentioned as
lone of the largest taxpayers in Gin
naminson." He was reported as saying:
abolish the County Board of Taxation
first The real trouble lies in too much
government by commission. Under the
last administration we had commissions
for everything, but Governor Fort prom
Uses to conduct things differently. The
tax on my property has been increased
hundreds of dollars. Every man in the
township is ready to pay whatever is
necessary for local purposes, but where
does the extra money go that it is neces-
sary to pay over to the state and county
under the present law Will the residents
of the township support the movement to
change the law Well, just give them
chance to show what they think of the
entire system"
A letter containing copy of the inter
view was addressed to Mr.. Steele, with a
query as to its correctness. The reply
was: Replying to yours of the 9th will
say had not seen the article which you
say appeared in the Phila. Ledger, nor
have l any recollection of having been
on the subject, though must
confess the sentiments published agree
with mine and with many others in the
township"
A glance at the records in the Clerks
office shows that Mr. Steele, in 1895
bought two acres Of ground for 1926. In
1902 he purchased II 971OO acres for
s., 797. This would make nearly 20 acres
of ground, at cost of $2,O22. The dupli-
cate for 1905 shows Mr.. Steele to be as
sessed for IS acres of ground at $75 per
acre-$1. $50, personal property, $3.50
total, 81, 500. Tax paid on this sum, 500. 20. |
In 1907 the amount of personal property |
was increased 5000, making the total as
sessment s., 200, tax paid on this, 1896 |
In the article above, which Mr.. Steele says |
contains 'his sentiments" he is shown to |
say ''the tax on my property has been in
creased hundreds of dollars. The dupii
cate shows his assessment has been in
creased 5000, with an increase of So 90 in
his total tax 1t is reported that there is
a house and barn on the property built
after the land was purchased Incident
ally we will say that Mr.. Steele is the
assessor of Cinnaminson township.
There are any quantity of figures and
facts to show that there are two sides to
this question, and statements can be pre-
pared showing that localities which for
years escaped paying their fair share OF
county tax, are now compelled to do so.
4&
Valentine postcards. Buy it at Boyce's.
A Card.
Having sold the store property and
business conducted as Jones pharmacy,
to Alexander Dubell, who has so ably as
sisted In managing the same for several
years, now beg to thank my many friends
for their liberal patronage bestowed for
thirty-eight years, and solicit the contin-
uance of the same under the new pro