New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-12-15
Finds Many Flaws in
New Jersey Tax Methods

rule, many parcels for sale, and while IN
a majority Of casee the price at winch 4
Dc rticular piece of property is on MS
books excels its true value for the pur-
pose of taxation, Il nevertheless forms an
important element in determining what Is
it's true value.
One OF the things that the commission
has come into contact with in New Jersey
Is the smallness Of the unit Of the dts
tricts
In Bergen County, for instance. where
considerable development has been IN
progress in the last few years, there
are sixty-four taxing districts, each WIN
one or more assessors. some appointed,
some elected. The result is that there are
sixty-four different ideas Of values the
consequence being that the same kino OF
land IL assessed at 30 per cent OF its true
value In one municipality 70 per cent III
another. and probably 70 per cent In an
other. although each parcel, II put INTO
the market, would bring practically the
same consideration.
As a result. there has been cons'dersoie
complaint OF inequality and oiscrlni'a
ZION from Bergen County, which VIII con-
tinue to exist until some more equitaoie
method of assessment Ia devised. MAKING
IN. county the unit of tsxation-thst H.
having the work Of assessment MADE oy
sonne county body having absolute con-
fro, and supervision OF the men In the
Acid doing the actual work Of assessment
would at least provide equality out re-
forms OF this kind cannot be accom-
pushed without the cooperation OF real
estate men and others interested, VINO wiz
back up the men who are trying TO orins
them about.
New Jersey prides ftseif. however. on
having one Of the best taxing systems
in the country. This u located IN tne
c,,v OF Newark. and II the rest OF the
stste could be made 20 adopt that system
the cry of discrimination and Inequality
tina. now exists would rapidly be el'mi-
mated. In short, Newark uses the unit
system in the assessment OF land, taxing
a LOT 15xioo feet as basis, and suotrsct'
ing OF adding TO It, as the lot decreases
in depth or increases.
In addition, complete records OF every
house and other improvement ore kept
OF property are made on an intelligent
basis. And in addition TO all the data In
their possession. the taxing officials also
secure considerable help from the real
estate men Of Newark. AS result. APP
peals from assessments are comparative
~ few in Newark.
The time " not distant. perhaps. when
real estate men will cooperate with the
taxing officials Of a municipality, and
when they DO In an earnest and ener-
ret,c manner Il will be a long step
toward solving the much veKed subject
Of taxation.
II one thinks the life OF me taxing Of
ficiai In New Jersey 10 . bed OF roses
however defective the system may be,
he will be apt 20 change his opinion II
he reads some Of the communications GER
tain OF these men get. "Grafters' ana
'oppreesors" are some of the terms. The
Essex County Tax Board, or at least
William Mungie, It's secretary, has re-
cetyed a number Of communications re-
Gently, written on postal cards, which
make him wonder whether or not this Is
q cold and chilly world.
One of these gems reads AZ follows:
DO you know our families are In want
OF the common necesssries OF life! Can
not buy food, cannot pay our debts or
buy clothing M to wear Yet you raise
our taxes double what they were Ia 1907.
you pack OF thieves and daylight
xraftere. catering to the rich and robbing
the poor and oppressed. You have gone
too far. II you force US, we will be com
PEELED 10 pay you with lead and dyna-
mite
stu another postal read: Essex
County Board Of Taxation. Am in re-
oeipt OF your reply refusing 10 reduce
my taxes. though proved to you they
were doubled in Ave years. I will state
70 you now that have for many weeks
since 1907 been compelled to i've on stale
bread and keep a home over myself and
family, and yet you keep raising my
taxes every year One year tbs the
valuation, next is the rate.
Now, IL the poor cannot get any re-