The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-06-15
Another Statement Issued in Answer to Birmingham
 Citizens Committee
SAYS HE PAID BUT
 $4000 FOR PALACE
Will Not Attempt to Overawe Com missioners' Court if Assessor Decides the Property Has
 Been Undervalued

Montgomery, June l4.-fSpecial)-De- lending his property assessments in Lau- derdale county, Governor ONeal this aft ernoon declared:
 T will not organize any meetings of protest or attempt to induce any large delegation of citizens to invade the com- missioners' court and urge that body to decline to consider or docket the cases"
 The interview was given as reply to the taxing committee of the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, which charged that the executive had failed to assess his property at 60 per cent of It's value. Governor O'Neal declares that If his prop erty has been undervalued by the county tax assessor that the tax commissioner will make correction immediately.
 He asserts that his palace which was referred to in a communication of the committee. has rented for s22 .5O a month since he left Florence. He asserts that he paid s4oo0 for the home. that improve ments have been made and that taxes are being paid on valuation of s4500. in Lauderdale county for SIP 9e5, that the tax commissioner was his agent at the sale and that he expected him to assess the property at 60 per cent of It's value.
 This interview will probably be the last of the tax controversy which was caused by raises by the state tax commission.
 Property in Lauderdale County
 Tn their last communication the com mittee of the Chamber of Commerce of Birmingham make certain statements, on information, as to the real and assessed value of my property in Lauderdale coun- ty. In order that such statements may not mislead the public deem 1t proper to give a brief review of the facts.
 Since 1910, when I became a candidate for governor. it has been impracticable for me to devote my personal attention to my private affairs. I therefore em- ployed MT. W. T. Simpson of Florence, a real estate dealer of experience and business man of high character. as my general agent, among other things to list my property for taxation and to collect such rents as might be due.
 Reference is made in the communi- cation to two pieces of real estate: CD My home, which they denominate palace and @ the Carroll lands, which
 
 mother and the heirs of Jones H. Carroll, deceased. I,ts
 MT. Simpson assessed my palace TOT which in 1899 paid $4000, and on which l have since placed some Improvements. at $4500. and which he advises me should be reduced on 60 per cent valuation. It may support MT. Simpsons judgment to say that my palace has rented for an average of $22 50 month since I left Florence
 'The impression Is attempted to be cre- ated that I am holding this property for sale at S20000. I have received no specific offer for this property. neither have I ever offered it for sale It is not for sale, because it is the only home I own. As to the original cost of the building I have no personal knowledge, as it was about 1850. Unfortunately has not advanced much in Flor ence during the decade since my pur- chase, as our population has only in- creased about 135.
 In Reference to Carroll Lands
 Tn reference to the Carroll lands. This was recently sold under a de- cree of the chancery court of Lauderdale county for division among the joint own CTS. The property was purchased by me. as executor for the sum of $12,995. The county tax commissioner of Lauderdaie was present at the sale and made most of the bids as my agent. He had personal knowledge of the price at which the property sold, and I advised him be- fore even these gentlemen knew of the existence of this property, that expected him to increase the assessment to so per cent of the purchase price. This property was listed last year by MT. w. T. Simp- son and the valuation fixed by the county assessor.
 If any of my property has been under valued by the county tax assessor am sure that the proper correction will be made by the county tax commissioner. who is man of ability. high character and experience in real estate values.
 T beg to assure the members of tho committee of the Chamber of Commerce that in the event the county tax commis- sioner of Lauderdale county, or the com missioner's court. should see proper to in- crease the assessment of any property 1 own I will not organize any meetings of protest or attempt to induce any large delegation of citizens to invade the com court and urge that body to decline to consider or docket the cause. If should believe that the increases were unjust would summon my witnesses, ask for fair and orderly trial and will ingly submit to the final decision of the courts.'
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