Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1910-05-12
TAXES
Probe IS URGED
. BY TRADE BOARD
umittee Named to Investigate
Great Swearing Off of
Assessments.

I'll taxation was made to a
- VI the Board of Trade lasd
Richard {. Jenkirson. chair
Igent George e. Reeve was
- " appoint o special commit
-, agate the returns for per
~ for taxation in Newark
'%hy such a large amount
" ~ Nperty escapes taxation
In the r&pI
capita debt, - -,
asapes, ,hIs Of real and of per-
tions ~ IN per capita valua-
susorn ar IN Nm of Indebtedness
1aos and 1aos araA in tho years lS'6,
these comments az IA art
tbs table sn&'ue III ~ -
First. that ourTe $500" &c
nearly thirty-fvcA 80
about $500. 600; M an, ~
twenty-seven ycaFsA..m, ,ooe 80
debt had grown W 100 ooo ono
an Increase of about F'o'Uo0'Vo
cent, and that this inEn'S-mse nGi
about $4,000 per annuHe. rs an. si
600. 900 every five years.N a'
In the next five yearA, H.. ,oos
the net debt, the re- -
had increased to apouA 200 900
which increase is at tho rA
"a 800, 900 for the said term Ok -.
and that this increase is NJ ava
times as large as the averaSyr 49,,
previous period of five Ncars.N
The report also cites that TN 49,
carita debt decreased from 81 -
1875, to s4S.94 in 1908, while in IL
five years to 1908 it increaSedtaar
cent. 1t is also stated that the RAJ.
under the railroad tax law. or soA
Hillery act, increased the ratablesG
about s1sS, 00o, 600 in 1903 to about X
900, 600 in 1908.
The report say the personally
d%ebtedness increased from about sl,26
900 in 1903 to nearly 1923 900, 900 in 1a'
and this is explained in part only by
change in the law.
Debt Per Capita s57.
The committee further says in the
port that counting the population
Newark at S25. 600 the average net de
per capita on January /, 1919, ran abo
sS57. that the net debt OF the city W
then SIS, $50. All, and that these es
mated expenditures arc in sight: Tru
sewer, So, 500, 900; meadow canals. docl
ETC., $40, 900, Coo; additional water supp
SO, 900, 600; to put the city on the bal
of other large cities expanding $1,00
600 q year for five years. $1,000, 900; t
tai, $50. 0S2, All. The report reads:
TT will be seer that the net debt "
easily double in the next Hive yea
Still there will be some who think tn
the estimates are high for the trul
sewer and meadow reclamation, cana
etc. One member Of this commit
has taken the trouble to get estimat
from competent engineers, and the es
mates used arc based on their figure
one Of these engineers estimates I
cost of the meadow improvements
500. 900. coo. based on plans submitted
the other engineers. who were ell
ployed by the city to make tentati
plans. The fact remains. ever II t
estimates are reduced one-half. tn
our net debt will increase 90 to IS p
sent. in q few years"
It Is also said in tho report that
comparison with reports from 9th
capita are higher in Newark, or til
tho tax yalues are higher here til
elsewhere The committee further
ports: I'VE think that In 1908
had reached the extreme point
swearing off of personal property, b
cause out of the $685., 99o,6)0 OF pc
sonals, the taxpayers swore off so;
00a. 0o6, leaving only $ai.0)o.o0J as 4
net value of all personal property,
about s137 per capita. This per CAPT
does not take into account the banl
insurance companies, manufacturii
plants or commercial business house
all of which reduces the per capita
Economy Urged.
The committee made these recor
mendations to the board:
.tirst-Careful economy in all e
penditures by the city. and the euttil
put of all but those that ere absolute
necessary. such as education and pla
grounds.
"Second-That no work he done
the, meadow recle nation scheme nm
final plans have been made by cor
petent engineers and estimates su
mittcd by competent contractors Of t
cost of these improvements.
"Third--That the taxable value
meadow lands and vacant shore from
on the Passaic River and Newark B;
be carefully a~scertained. and also this
fair market value. Recent sales
some of these lands indicate that t
assessed valuation is one-tenth to o
one-hundredth pare of the actual Walt
"Fcurth-That the financial bodi
of this city he requested TO authori
the Issue of no more bonds. except
school property and Fairgrounds, un
a better Price or lower rate OF intere
Is obtainaole and there is a greater d
mand T9r this class Of bonds:
"Fifth-That a careful study be ma
of the subject OF personal returns a
taxes. in order to discover. If possib
why the city personal ratables are
high and the large part OF this amou
is sworn off.
"Sixth-That a special committee
appointed to investigate the foregoi'
matters and gather. analyze and tab
late the results. That they inquire in
TIE anancial condition of the larg
cities of the country and their inetho
of taxation FOR municipal purposes. a
that they report t this board the 7
suits Of their Investigations. with tn.
conclusions and recommendations
some future meeting"
rrc...ucI. c~uoot ~