Evening journal., 1912-03-08
DISAGREE
ON AMOUNT OF
UNPAID TAXES
Auditor Says City Is owed
$263,945; Collectors, OaIy
$93,562
GET MORE TIME TO
ADJUST THE DIFFERENCES

tlluuIl VI oulSldnuluS CITY ldACb WtIC
presented in City Council last night,
one submitted by the city auditor and
the other by the tax collectors. There
is q wide difference in the figures, on
the face of the two statements, but
after some explanations are made the
two sets Of figures come much closer
together
City Auditor Biddles figures show
that there is outstanding in taxes in
the entire city the sum Of S263,945.29,
while the figures for the entire city.
submitted by Tax Collectors Sayers
and Morris, show total of but $685.
56276
More than 100000 can be deducted
from the city auditors figures as the
latter included the outstanding taxes
for the year 1911 in his figures. while
the city tax collectors did not, the lat
ter setting forth that these taxes do
not become delinquent until Septem-
Der 1, of the present year
The auditors statement shows that
George II. Mccall, delinquent tax col
lector for the northern district, has
S55,77592 outstanding on his books
It developed in the discussion, how
ever. that there is a considerable sum
to be allowed both him and Mr. Sayers
in error lists, so that when the correct
figures are obtainable there may not
be so wide a divergency.
Chairman Stover, of the Council
finance committee, remarked that
there seemed to be an impression
that tho reason the extra clerk was
placed in Auditor Biddle's Office was
because the auditor was behind in
his work This was not true, Col.
Slower said, as Mr.. Biddle had pre-
pared lists of outstanding taxes be-
fore the extra clerk was engaged and
the latter was now working to COM
plete the figures to show just how
much money really is owing the
city.
The statement from tho tax collec-
tors was offered by Mr.. Kane and af-
ter it was read he remarked that the
showing made by the tax collectors
was excellent and that they should
be given credit for the work they
have been doing in getting in de-
llinquent taxes Mr.. Kane remarked
that the finance committee would
have no trouble making up its budget
if the collectors kept UP their good
work.
On Mr. Kane's motion the state
ment was received and ordered filed.
Later, Col. Stover offered the
statement prepared by MIR. BiddieI
and called attention to the difference
between the two statements Only
a matter Of about S125,000," he said,
''but that don't amount to much, Il
(snapping his fingers) This state
ment was referred, on his motion, toI
the finance committee. Col. StoverI
admitted that certain allowances
would bring down the figures.
Mr.. Kane remarked that he guessed
that Council would get down to the
right figures after awhile.
Heavy Receipts This Year.
During the tax discussion Col
5tover produced additional figures
showing the amount of tax collected
from the first of the present year to
taxes collected in the same period
last year. In the latter period 49,
S0561 was collected as compared with
S27 7,112.3S this year. Col Stover said
he did not intend that this statement
should be a reflection on last years
finance committee of Council as each
member of that body was responsible
He said that while the increase was
encouraging it was not just what the
present finance committee expected
He then offered a resolution which
directed the city solicitor to enter up
the bonds of the city tax collectors,
should they fail to furnish complete
list of tax delinquents by March 81
Col. Stover said the collectors have
not turned over these lists in accord
ance with a resolution adopted by
Council on December 2S last year.
which directs them to furnish Council
with such lists on the first day of
February and August Of each year
Col. Slower moved that the resolu-
ton be adopted and that copy be
sent to the tax collectors, their bonds
men and the city solicitor.
Mr. Kane remarked that the resolu-
tion was a drastic measure. to say
The least He again called attention
TO the good work the tax collectors
have been doing, and because Of this
he thought they should have a little
more time and he moved that action
on the resolution be deferred for one
week. There was no opposition to this
motion and it was unanimously
passed
Each collector is bonded in the sum
of $4,000 their bondsmen being free
holders of the city.
For purposes Of comparison the
statements Of the tax collectors and
Auditor Biddle are given below;
Collectors Statement.
Mr.. Kane offered the statement
from the tax collectors. II follows:
To the President and Council of
Wilmington:
Gentlemen: In view the many
erroneous statements that have an
peared in the public press in regard
to back taxes, we desire TO submit 10
your body the following. which can
be accepted as absolutely correct. We
may add here, that only last week il
was stated, in some of the news
papers. that these taxes amounted TO
the sum of 100000.
The back taxes due the Northern
district amount to the sum of S55,-
3S734
The back taxes due the Southern
district amount to the sum of S3S.-
1882, making a total for the whole
city of only 93,56276.
We think all fair-minded persons
will agree that there is a great diff
ference between the erroneous
amount of 100000 and the true
amount of $93.56276, and also. that
the showing thus made by the tax
Office is one of which il can Justly