Evening journal., 1910-04-29
INCREASE IN
CITY ASSESSMENTS

Editor Of THE EVENING JOURNAL
On April 18th Every Evening published |
nearly ten columns containing the names |
Of those whose properties had been in
creased IN valuation by the Board of
Assessment, Revision and Appeal. but. !
It seems. that little has been said ana
done in the nature OF complaint although
some Of tho increases were entirely out
of proportion. 1t was common rumor, at
the time of the announcement, that there
was TO be an Indignation meeting of the
aggrieved, and it was further stated that
the meeting was 10 be addressed by no
less a parsonage than the Hon. Lawson
Purdy, president OF tho New York Board
OF Taxation but this even seems TO have
been lost sight or
Every Evening did the people Of VIII
mington a great favor in publishing the
list. but the people did not seem to ap-
preciate the favor: moreover, the other
newspapers Of the city were very reticent
on the subject. But whether Every Even
ing. the other newspapers or tho public
like II or not, II is my desire to tell them
that there are eighty thousand separately
assessed packages OF land I'm the city OF
Wilmington, with only about twenty-five
thousand of the same improved I'm any
way the remaining hfty-eight thousand
lots being the mere recipient Of tin cans,
dead dogs and cats or prolific gardens
In which the rankest OF weeds flourish and
decay spreading disease throughout the
city during the summer time.
And this Is not all. II should be known
that Senator. representing a part OF
the city OF Wilmington. during the session
OF the Legislature OF 1895 fathered and
had passed a bill exempting a large area
OF vacant land in the Western part Of the
city from taxation,
Anent this nostril stenching episode
would say: It isn't any wonder that those
whose assessments have been increased
are silent on the subject when Il Is
commonly known that they swallowed the
dirty mess Of twelve years ago-and that
in silence
While on the job would like 10 tell YOU.
and through you the people OF Whining
ton. that when the Separate Assessment
bill was up for consideration IN the last
Legislature a public official. told a GER
tain legislatureman who favored the Sep
arate Assessment bill that n the bin be-
came law his Ohe legislaturema~'s 81,
property would be assessed at a higher
valuation
Now. Of course. this oficiai was hand
ing out a gold brick to the legislaturoman,
and he knew it-for the very same legis-
latureman's property has been reassessed
at an outrageous value notwithstanding
the fact that he assisted 20 defeat the
Separate Assessment bill at the threat Of
a man who sought to deceive him-and the
beauty OF the whole scheme Is that the
innocent solon who accepted the gold
, brick knew It.
Will the people ever get wise TO the fact
that the man who builds house or Inn
proves vacant land in any way affords
employment TO the unemployed, regard
less OF the dimensions OF the improve
ment and the man who holds out OF use
a package Of vacant land. regardless OF
the dimensions. Is a dog in the manEer-
a manor imposition on manhood-uho
should be put out OF business in a
hurry.
SO, Mr.. Editor, from Robert Cummings
'Disinherited' would quotei
Sisters and brothers. know you not the
That makes the many so weak, the rev
80 strong?
That rObs the toiler OF his r,ghtful
share
And burdens life with more than life can
bear.
Divides one family into high and low.
iFi1s the bounteous earth with want snt
woe.
The grave with toil-worn Victims. er,
their time.
Till Hell. appalled,. might blush to owl
the crime.
We are all equal heirs Of mother earth
Depending on her from the hour OF birth
Yet from the cradle 70 the closing graves
We share her treasures but as lord ol
slave.
Who. for the right TO toll another pays
Thus. for a master, piods his weary days
Who owns the source Of sustenance, the
land.
lean. for It's - -'.s--'s tsrnas COM