The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-07-10
None of the Tax Advances
as Made by Commissioner y
Allen Were Allowed
to Stand

of revenue took their seats to resume 'he
hearing of the tax raises listed with them
by Capt. J. V. Allen, tax commissioner OF
Jefferson county.
From the determined expression depicted
on the faces of the FIVE gentlemen VINO
transact the business of the county, IL
was evident that something was In the
wind.
Promptly at o'clock the members oil
the tribunal seated themselves and await
ed the arrival of Captain Allen, who APP
peared shortly with clerk carrying an
armful of books. Seating himself before
the board, his usual bland expression on
his countenance, his perfecto at the proper
angle, Captain Allen calmly awaited the
opening of the proceedings.
Those present must have had an mixing
that something was about to drop for
the silence was noticeable.
THE board will come to ORDER came
mildly from the lips of President Going.
Rising TO his feet and in voice filled
with an unmistakable earnestness, DR.. r.
r. Lovelady said:
II see here in The Age-Herald a state
ment from Mr.. Allen criticising the action
of this board. 1t is as unjust as it is un-
called for. and 1 demand public apology.
don't intend to stand for any such re-
Elections as Mr.. Allen has attempted to
cast on my actions. 1 have tried to be
fair In all my dealings with these matters,
and when ! cast my vote to docket these
cases | stated that when In doubt as TO
any case the property holders should have
the benefit. of it. 1t Is neither proper
nor becoming in Mr.. Allen. who is inter-
ested in these cases. to eritieise this board,
and l demand a public apology.
Il acted solely upon my conviction in
the cases we have had before us, and l
will continue so to do |
Captain Allen Speaks
Here Captain Allen arose and said:
I'm the statement I made l criticized
the failure to take in consideration Mr..
Adams own statements in regard To
the valuation of his property.
In one instance Mr.. Adams agreed
to $1,000 raise, yet the board voted to
let his assessment stand. And in refer
ence to his valuation on his residence
his own statements would put the prop
erty at higher figure than the board
allowed"
II want you to understand that |
acted according to my best judgment"
replied DIR. Lovelady. And l believe l
acted fairly. But 1 do not propose to
be intimidated by any threats of taking
the cases to the state tax commits
sioner.
80 far as / am concerned all the
cases can be nolle pressed and you can
take them all before the state board If
you prefer it. l insist that we receive
proper respect from Mr.. Allen IL 1t takes
a fine to do it,"
Il have no apology to make,"i stated
the tax commissioner.
II move that Mr.. Allen be fined,o came
from DR.. Lovelady.
Vines Objects to Fine
Mr.. Vines objected to the fine and Mr..
Rogers took the floor.
Il think the criticism is the result OF
pique on the part of Captain Allen,
said Mr.. Rogers, 'and an attempt on
his part to intimida1 this board"
Il made no attempt to intimidate
anyone" remarked Mr. Allen.
we don't recognize the right of Mr..
Allen to arbitrarily fix property valua-
tions. We have the right to exercise
eide them on the facts and evidence
before us. If you differ with us, Cap
tain Allen, in our ruling, and people
sometimes differ we insist that you
treat us with the same consideration
and courtesy that is customary in other
courts.
you are personally interested In these
matters we are not, and | regard your
threat to appeal to the state tax COM
mission as a thinly yelled effort to intlmi-
date this board.
II regard these criticisms as an insult to
the intelligence and honesty of this board
I'VE want to hear all the evidence In
these cases, yours as well as the property
holders, and expect the same courtesy
as we have extended.
Can Enforce Proper Respect
President Job Going called Mr.. Allen S
attention to the fact 1t was in the power
of the board to exact proper respect and
courtesy, and that the board would en-
force IL.
I'VE will now proceed with the business
before u.s. said the president.
Il am not satisfied, Mr.. Presidents said
DIR. Lovelady, and addressing himself d.
roctly to Captain Allen. said:
Have you any further statement tt
make Mr.. Allen?.''
II have made all the statements / care
make, Mr.. Allen?''
DIR. Lovelady turned to W. b. Terry. at.
torney for the board, and while they were
speaking, Captain Allen had a brief con.
ference with Attorney A. G. Smith as hi.
own attorney was not present. Addressing
the board, Captain Allen then said:
Allen Makes His Apology
after comforting with my friend, Mr.
A. G. Smith, he advises me my criticism
| of the board was out of the ordinary, and
| / wish to express my regrets at having
| made 1t, and / hereby withdraw it,
| The apology was accepted, and on mo-
| ton of DR.. Lovelady the meeting took q
recess until II O'Clock.
| The incident quickly spread and caused
much commment. The action of the mem.
| bers of the board was generally com.
mended, and the whole affair regarded as
unfortunate.
| But little progress is being made In
the cases to be settled before the board
although quite a numper of cases have
been settled between the propertyhoders
and the tax commissioner. Only one case
/ was passed ON by the board at the morn
ing session, that Of Age-Herald Publishing
company. which was dismissed.
! Morris Adler's Case
| When the board convsned the first cas-
| taken up was that of Morris Adler, vino
owns large property Interests at Haw
| kins Springs and the neighborhood Of
| the septic tank at Bessemer.
r, B, SINGER. attorpN4 for the Real Es