Evening journal., 1911-02-06

collections the season for making as
sessments is light, thus permitting the
same clerks TO act In both capacities.
The actual collection OF taxes re-
quires but little expert knowledge
and should cost the city very little,
whereas its cost, under the present
system, Is enormous. In fact, so far
as the municipal committee of the
Board Of Trade has been able to
learn, from diligent enquiry. tho city
has no record available as to lust
what the collection of it's taxes is or
has been costing.
Assessment Board.
In addition to the above bill the
committee has had prepared under it's
directory another bill entitled "An
Act creating a Board OF Assessment
OF taxes in and for the city OF Will
mington"
This bill follows the language,
meaning and intent OF the bill above
describe, with the following excep-
tlona
II does not confer upon the Board
the power or duty of collecting the
taxes. This being provided for in
another bill entitled AN Act abolish
ing the Office Of assessors and col
lectors Of taxes for the city OF VIII
mington, and creating the Office OF
collectors Of taxes for the city Of
Wilmington" This last named bill
provides that the collection Of taxes
shall be done by Engeae NJ. Savers
I'm the Southern district. and James
S. Morris in the Northern district for
the term OF their Office to which they
were elected, and thereafter by their
Successors duly elected as now, by
law, provided. This last named bill
Is to accompany the bill entitled
AN Act creating a Board Of Assess
ment, etc." and passed at the same
time.
The members Of the Board OF AS
sessment are not required 20 give
bonds. as they handle none OF the
city's money and none is handled un-
der their direction.
The Board acts as a Board Of Ap-
peals during the month Of April OF
each year. under the same rules as
prescribed in the bill creating the
Board Of Assessments and Collection
OF Taxes, but any appeal from the
findings of the Board may. during the
month Of May following. be taken TO
the President OF City Council. chair
man Of Finance Committee and the
Building Inspector Of the city, sitting
as a Board of Appeals, and whose
decision shall be final
The collectors OF taxes shall. in
addition to the percentages received
for tho collection Of delinquent taxes
as now prescribed by law, each re.
ceive the annual sum of $3.50 for
copying the assessment list made by
the Board. This is the same amount
now paid the collectors for preparing
the lists.
The bill provides that the Mayor
and Council shall receive annually
/ from street railways operating within
the limits of the city the sum of S2TC
per mile n single track operated with.
in the city. From gas companies op.
Grating within the city the annual
sum Of $50 for each mile Of street
used by the said companies for is
gas mains. From each electric light.
ing company the annual sum Of S10C
for each mile Of street used for It's
poles and wires overhead. From tele.
phone and telegraph companies, the
annual sum OF S100 for each mile OF
street used for its poles and wires
overhead. For each electric lighting
telephone OF telegraph company thC
annual sum OF 500 for each mile OF
street occupied by its underground
conduits. From all persons operatinf
any heat. light or power company ths
annual sum Of $50 per mile for street,
occupied for pipes, conduits, or Other
underground construction, or poles
wires or other overhead construction
From all companies operating watel
company the sum Of SEQ for each mil,
Of street occupied by its pipes o,
conduits.
The bill provides that the abov,
assessments shall be subject to tn
same rebates, deductions, discount
and allowances as are by law pro
vided with reference to the collection
Of city and school taxes, and provide
for the several officers of the com
panies operating such public utilize
furnishing the Board Of Assessmen
with all information needful for max
ing the assessment.
} The taxes above set forth as bein,
required 10 De paid by the severa
companies for the use of the street
OF the city are in lien OF OF otho
, taxes. licenses and revenue now b,
} law imposed but not in lien OF take
TO be assessed upon the real or per
r sonal estate owned by said companies
: Both bills will be discussed at tn
, meeting OF the Civic Association il
. the High School Auditorium tonight