Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-05-01
MORRELL PLANT
GOESIN AT $65O,0O0
OTHER MANUFACTURES, JOB.
BlNG AND RETAIL STORES ARE
BOOSTED IN PRoPoRTloN--Ex-
EMPT SOME PROPERTIES.

Inc iabors OF the board OF re-
view, completed this mornlng ait
4 o'clock after strenuous all
night session, has been the means
of Increasing the revenues OF the
city approximately $4,000. OF
this amount the greater part will
be paid by the larger manufactur-
Ing, jobbng and retail institu-
tlons and by those citizens who
have large and valuable real es-
tate holdings and bank stock. The
two largest plants in the CITY,
John MorrelI G. Co. and the Dain
Mfg. Co. were Increased over the
assessors figures on the item OF
personal property, and their real
estate was left standing with no
increase. The various decisions Of
the board, while considerable min
or discussion was heard, were
made almost unanimously. The
original gain of over $4,000 In
city revenues was cut down
some $4,000 by REIMBURSEMENT Of
increases made by City Assessor
M. B. Hoxsey.
Taxes of the city of Ottumwa were
juggled in various manners by the
city council sitting as the board OF
review or equalization last evening in
the council chambers. Some assess
ments were increased over the fig
ures of the city assessor; many were
left as he assessed them; others were
made lower than at first assessed by
that officer, and lastly, the board saw
fit to exempt considerable properties
that in their eyes were entitled 10
freedom from the burden of taxes
The board began its labors at 7:46
O'Clock last evening by entertaining
protests to Increases made. Later
when the members repaired to the
council chamber, they heard remarks
from committee of Ottumwa bust
ness men relative to the proposed in
crease on the John Morrell e. Co
plant, and following this period, tht
board began the arduous task of fin
ally adjusting the taxes as Increased
The labors were completed at
o'clock this morning, and except for |
brief recess for lunch at o'clock, th
work was not interrupted.
Bank Shares Assessed.
1t was the ruling Of the board, tha
the increases in the assessment of tn
national bank shares should stant
This action increases the taxable va
ue Of the shares of the First Nat1ona
bank held by numerous individual
from $109 per share to $3.50. The O
tumwa National bank shareholder
will be required to pay assessment Q
| their shares at a value Of $150 ii
stead Of $130 and the Iowa Nation,
bank shareholders are increased frol
$112.50 per share to $134.
The MorrelI Matter.
The committee of citizens who a
dressed the board relative to an a
justment of the proposed increase {
| the Morrell plant was composed of
T. Hackworth, Samuel Mahon, N.
Reed, ]. j. Smith. John w. Jorda
Frank McIntire, F.. w. Simmons al
Frank Won Schrader. The geutlems
asked the board to consider careful
the magnitude Of the Morrell pla
and what it means to the city, al
their opinion was that hundred p
cent increase, which would be $50
900. at this time was as much as t
city should increase the plant. Jol
w. Lewis and T. II. Pickler took
sue with the committee, and urg
that the board allow the proposed
crease of 100000 stand. The boa
was shown that the Morrell plant,
the proposed increase would star
was being assessed out of proporti
to all other increases, and the mat
of gradual increases, instead of gri
leaps, was referred to. When the m
ter came up for final decision In I
. course of consideration of the other
! creases, the board compromised
:, the increase being to $650,000,
: real estate standing as assessed
7 the assessor and the increase be-
:, wholly on the personal properti
! The same action was taken relat
= to the Dain Mfg. Co. increase, VIII
= was left as Assessor Hoxsey pla'
J. ii on the real estate and was raj
y from $4,000 to $4,000 on the /
sonal.
Assessment Changed.
In considering the objections /;
o protests made to the various increa
n the board, when a sufficient show