Bisbee daily review., 1909-07-09
.CHURCHES ID BE1
 ASSESSED l
Board of Equalization Favors Proposition to Compel Sec
 tartan Properties to Pay
VALUATIONS INCREASED
 THIS YEAR TO 75 PER CENT

For the first time in the history of Bisbee. the yariels church proper ties throughout the city are in a fair way to be assessed and compelled to pay just share of taxes just the same as any other piece of real esta-a. The question came up last night while the city council, since organizing as a board of equalization, sat with the as sessors for the purpose of equalizing the assessment roll as recently pre- sented
 During conversation regarding several pieces of property that had either been damaged or ruined in Bisbee's last destructive fire, the question was asked the assessor What. if anything. have you done regarding churches?" The reply came that no attention was paid to them inasmuch as it never had been done previously and also for the reason that the county only saw fit to assess and then exempt.
 Immediately the question came UT as to whether or not it was possible to assess them. it being the concen. sus of opinion among the councilmen present that a tax should be levied The question was referred to Mayor Neale who will examine the law on that point and if such is legally possi. bie, every church in the city will be gin paying taxes on and after Septem Der l.
 Council is After Funds.
 Mayor Neale and Councilmen Shat tuck, Moon. Green and Barkdoll were those discussing the proposition which is the first time in the annals of the city council that it has ever been given direct attention. While there will no doubt be storm of dis. approval should the idea take active form, nevertheless the council is de sirous of securing every dollar pos sible through this years assessment list in so much as the expenses will be higher than usual and it is not the desire of the council to throw Bisbee into indebtedness, any more than is absolutely necessary.
 For the same reason the assess ments this year were made on the basis of 75 instead of 50 per cent of valuation as in the years previous.
 In only a few instances were the figures of the assessor changed last evening. the first change being made in the property of Anderson, Gull & Johnson, located on Main street. Ger, tain lots, described as those being in the wedge, had not been listed as in diyidua1 property, but their addition to the city tax rolls was decided upon as it is understood that separate deeds are held for each.
 In this connection, il will be re- membered that the council attempted to buy certain property of the same firm but. the price asked was twice the amount the city felt willing to give. At the, same time other property desired by the city for street i'm. provements was also priced at what the council thought was a fancy price For this reason it is within the pleas ure of the city council to assess these properties in accordance with the price as asked by the owners.
 Williams Asks Settlement
 During the meeting Star Williams appeared and asked that some settle ment be reached concerning the DOT tion of his property desired by the city for the improvement of o. K street. He had decided upon price of $400. which the city favored but the fact that the house would of nee essity be raised, another hitch" il the proceedings was encountered. Il was finally agreed that the city should figure on the cost of raising the house and installing proper supports and should these figures prove satisfactory the city will do the work but with the understanding that the S400 originally agreed upon be applied to the ex pense.