The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-08-03
ASpURY HAS HIS
. PROPERTY RAISED"
No Tax Hearings Are Dock
|. eted for Today
DO ROUTINE BUSINESS
Joke Carefully Planned and Executed
on B. A. Thompson Yesterday by
Members of the Board
of Revenue
BY CHARLES H. MANDY

day today in the hearing of the tax
raises, as no cases were docketed for to-
day The board will devote the day en-
trely to the county routine business,
which has been somewhat neglected since
the board has been engaged in hearing
the proposed raised property valuations
The board has been on steady grind
since July 8, and is rapidly bringing the
tax hearing to a close. They fully expect
to complete their labors by the oath of
the month. The question of dsposing of
the forfeited and default cases was taken
up yesterday afternoon. and 1t is prob
able that the board will begin to pass on
these cases in the early part of next
week.
The hearing yesterday was enlivened for
few minutes when the case Of B. A.
Thompson. the real estate expert, who has
been actively engaged in opposing the
raises of Captain Allen was called
The board decided to have a little fun
out of Asbury, and to aid them in their
scheme took Col w B. Leedy into their
confidence. 1t was understood that no
witnesses should be shown, and that the
board would call on Colonel Leedy for an
expert opinion on the valuation of Mr..
Thompsons property. 8p
| Thompson Case Called
| The case was called and B. A. very
promptly arose and stated that as a mat
ter of principle he had always given in his
property at its legal valuation, and siren
uously objected to the raise.
Captain Allen insisted ION the pro-
Ia1
upon Colonel I.eedy to testify as to
the value of the property. Colonel
Leedy has been Asbury's standby in all
questions of property valuations, so
when the colonel took the witness
stand Asbury smiled as though his
troubles were ended right then and
there.
you are familiar with the property
owned by Mr.. Thompson, are you not?"
asked C. B. Rogers.
Perfectly"
what, in your opinion, Is fair
valuation on it?"
| What is IT assessed at now?"
| The information was given him and
| then Colonel Leedy set figure on the
property that caused the few stray
Cling hairs on the topiof Asbury's head
to stand upright and his classic coun-
tenance assume a sickly hue.
! .Did | understand you to say my as
sessment is too low?' asked the aston
ished expert"
Raised $500
you certainly did replied the col
onel without the CULVER of an eyelash.
II think your assessment should be
On Z A l..H nraltY rStQ a1
the property 5000
..You are sure you understand the
location of my property gasped the
astonished Asbury as he gazed feebiy
at his own expert witness, whose tes-
timony he could not impeach.
II know it as well as know my
own" ~.
Here Asbury Strengthened himself up
and addressing the board, said:
.,Gentlernen If Colonel Leedy says the
pronertv ought to be raised, let her go
submit to his superior judgment, but
I'll lust be- we'll just can't under
stand~how he got them figures" and,
turning to Captain Allen said: MARK
up the raise, joe"
lust then Colonel Leedy gave q chuckle
and Captain Rogers gave a yell. Doc
Vines smole that well known smile. and
Ed Haigler grinned. Doc Lovelady sim
ply exploded Then II dawned on Asbury
that the thing was a put up job and he
Joined in the general laugh as heartily
as anyone present
THE incident was a relief from the tire
some montonoy of the past four weeks
and was enjoyed by everyone present.
Incidentally Mr.. Thompsons case was
dismissed as his assessment was found to
be up to a 60 per cent valuation.
The following raises were made yester-
day:
Joseph NJ Tanvry, $1,000.
! FeIesia Tedeski, $500.
Mrs Mary f. Thornton. 5000.
Mrs A. c. Taylor $500.
Mrs. p. w. r. Taylor, $1,000.
Andrew Tedeski, $1,000.
]. H. Terrell; $3.50.
Mrs A. r. Thies, $500
d. l.. Thomas. $500.
r.. j. Thomas, Jr, $3.50.
P. B. Thomas. 5000
Anna u. Thompson $500.
Mrs Julia o. Thompson. $1,000.
Mary F. Thornton. $3.50.
Mary T. Thornton. $3.50
Norman Thornton (colored), $1,000