The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1912-07-30
He Id First Meeting Here.


The commission appointed by virtue of
an act of the last legislature to listen to
suggestions on the methods of assessment
for taxation, met in Mount Holly We'd
nesday. Notice had been sent to all the
assessors of the county, and general in
vitation had been extended to all who
were interested in the subject to be pres
ent and give the Commission the benefit
of any idea they might wish to advance.
Quite a number of the assessors of the
county were present, but there were not
many of the general public on hand.
This was the first meeting of the Com
mission. Of its members the following
were present: Senator Carlton B. Pierce,
Frank B, Jess, Thomas B. Usher and Ar
thur G. Pleydel, with the secretary. OF
the county officials there were the mem
bers of the Burlington County Board of
Taxation and Joseph Kaighn, secretary of
that body.
Mr.. Morgan was first called upon to
give any suggestions that had been
brought to his attention. He stated that
the Burlington County Board had given
assessors instructions to assess property as
near the true value as possible and to use
all means to get at that value, takiug the
sales-public or private-in the neighbor-
hood. He said this method had been very
satisfactory and cited the fact that few
appeals had been carried from the county
board to the state body, and when there
had been such action the county board
was generally sustained. Mr.. Morgan
said he did not think there was much COM
plant on the point of discrimination In
assessments as between townships or dis
tricts. Whatever complaint was made
was by individuals who compared the
assessments of their neighbors with their
own.
Joseph G. Kingdom, another member of
the County Board, was called upon and
was asked several questions. He thought
the average assessment of property in
Burlington county would reach rs per
cent. of its value. In every instance Of
assessment attention must be given to
local conditions. 1t would be impossible
to place value on farm lands which
would apply to all portions of the county,
as conditions made quite difference in
the value. Asked If there was complaint
from one locality that another was being
favored he said that condition did not
now exist, except In the matter of manu-
featuring plants. In such cases 1t was
necessary to use considerable discretion as
an excessive assessment might deter pub
lie Improvement He cited an instance
where one proprietor of q manufacturing
plant had complained about the low valu-
alton on another place, while the citizens
of the township where the latter was
situated had criticised the county board
for making any assessment at all. Asked
| II the assessors assessed land and build
ings separately he replied that. except in
one or two instances, they did not, and
hot haf I'm for %ha,, 4
| 1t. Taking one township as q sample he
said he did not believe there was an in
habitant of the place who could give an
intelligent separation of the items. The
taxation of personal property was touched
and Mr. Jess referred to a sheet he had
before him and made a comparison be.
ween Northampton and a small farming
township. By the figures the population
of Northampton was very much larger
than that of the other township, while the
value of personal property in the lat
ter was, in proportion to population, very
much higher than that of Northampton
In answer to this 1t was explained that
the farming township was rich in every
item, and If the same class of people were
taken In both townships it would be found
that there would not be so much difference
| Joseph Kaighn secretary of the Bur
lington County Board, was next called
He said he thought the County Boards
should be given more control over the
assessors. In the first years of their ex
istence the County Board had mucl
trouble but this had been removed later
This year there had been some friction IL
the city of Burlington, which would
probably result in the holding up of thu
figuring on appropriations. On the sub
80 Nf L. 1.
was of the opinion that there is much meet
of legislation on that subject. He though
the State Board ought to get the figure
and fix the valuation on bank stool
throughout the state, sending the assess
ments to the district assessors. Thi
would assure uniformity. Mr.. Kaighl
was questioned on the subject of having
maps for assessment purposes. He though
it would be good idea in some localities
but he did not believe there would eve
be anything done In that line until tn,
matter was made mandatory The objec
ton was cost. Whenever the project O
, maps was suggested the cost scared tn
| authorities He was asked IL b
thought better work would be secured |
assessors were paid more. MIR. Kaigh
said such might be the case In som
localities, but it would not make an
difference In Burlington county. He salt
this county had set of hardworking, cor
scientious assessors, who were willing
do all In their power to aid In getting tru
D values and not one shirked any respons
bility or work. While no doubt an In
crease of salary would be appreciated an
r should be given in nearly every case
t would not get any better service than
being given in this county. He was aske
e property In this county that escaped a
sessment; he said he did not have any sue
idea.
T DR.. Hugh Leiambre, of Bordentowl
! took exception to the idea on assessmel
1 of personal property. He thought thel
was much discrimination between person
e propertyin the country and town, possibl
: because In the former the property W
d tangible and easy of access. DR. Lejar
II bre was heartily in favor of incressir
salaries of assessors, but he felt that tho