Evening journal., 1913-09-16


system for Wilmington. 1t is a modi-
fication of the Purdy system and is
designated by the committee as the
Wilmington system. c. H. Garretson
presided in the absence Of Josiah Mar
vel, the president. Il was the first
luncheon Of the fall and winter season,
and was largely attended. The sys-
tenn recommended that the Board OF
Assessment, Revision and Appeal have
the charges made in the tax system,
and secure the expert assistance that
may be necessary.
The committees report which was
adopted, recommends that property
be assessed at its full value; that the
tax rate be made as low as is com
mensurate with the city's needs; that
the city be divided into tax districts;
that land value maps be prepared;
that a permanent recordation Of pro
perties and maps be made; that the
assessment figures be set forth in
three columns, one containing the
local value, one the value of the i'm
provements on the land and one con-
tanning the full assessed value; that
standard depth of lot for assess
ment purposes be established; that
the unit value of land in each district
be ascertained at public hearings;
that the property owner be given
written notice of a change in assess
menr: that a tentative percentage for
increased value in corner properties
| be fixed and that a tentative classi-
/ fcation of buildings on the square
foot valuation basis be made.
After the report was submitted VIII
liam F. Kurtz said that he only want
ed to make one remark and that was
/ that when the plan is adopted two
thirds of our municipal ills will have
disappeared.
Alfred B. Moore said that the corner
value should be determined by the
percentage unit of the whole block
"I think" said Mr. Moore, that the
/ assessment should be taken entirely
out of politics. This Council is look
ed upon by many as progressive ane
MANY people believe that the Council
should see to it that the man who Is
to have charge of the system snoulC
hold Office permanently.
Mr.. Garrettson said that II was de
cided to push the system first anc
then 20 to the legislature and have
permanent office created TO haV'
charge of the assessment.
Mr.. Moore said that he thought tn
whole matter should be settled so tina
the system might have stability ant
not be changed every two years.
George w. Sparks said that no mai
who assesses property should have q
run for Office. He said he thorough
lv agreed with MIR. Moore
William p. White, president OF Coun
lcil. said that the board understood
Its power to extend only to selecting
Ia system of assessment.
Mavor Harrison W. Howell said tha
lin the report the Chamber Of Com
merce has fulfilled its purpose AM
that the Assessment Board shoul'
start the work which by the act o
LEGISLATURE it has power to do.
when the plan is completed" sat
Mayor Howell, "the people will b
satisfied, and, in my opinion, the sys
tenn should be started as soon as pos
sible".
The Mayor said that there was sev
eral men in the room whom he though
= were capable of assessing propert!
/ bnt in his estimation the ordinar
business man could not intelligentl
fix the value of properties.
: He favored the appointment OF
man who would hold the position {
! assessor without having to go befor
the people. He urged that the boar
= start Immediately to carry out tn
work which he said would take grea
, deal of time. He urged that me
, be selected for ability only, and tn
: taking of the matter out of politics j
: this way.
The meeting unanimously adopte
2 the report and referred it to III
Z board of assessment and revisio
recommending that action be take
= as soon as possible.
] Mr.. GarroCtson stated that III
S Chamber of Commerce has planne
e a big campaign for the betterment
( Wilmington, and among the thing
thar eventually will be done would b
e the erection of a loft building and tn
n securing of a S50O.O00 guarante
z fund to aid in bringing new indus
S tries to Wilmington. He said tn'
b these propositions would be taken u
e at a later meeting Of the cnamoer'
e Committees Report
The special committee of the Chan
Der to consider and report upon ne
( assessment system comprised JOSIE
u Marvel. A. d. Warner, G. ID. Garre
II son. George w. Sparks and o.
Purdy. Their report was as follows
II September Is, 1913.
/ BOARD of Assessment, Revision al
n Appeals, of the Council Of the Ma
or and Council of Wilmington.
IS Gentlemen: Under a statute enac
ed by our last legislature, It necom
your duty TO make or cause 10
made so soon as practicable, maps
Z all the real estate in the city TO
- known as tax maps, and such otn
records as may be necessary, whi
y, shall be used as the basis of asses
10 ment of real estate Said maps al
ie records shall. so far as possible shcc
, all things necessary to enable ad
s ouate assessment to be made.
le 1.-THE Board of Assessment Re'
or sion and Appeals may engage {
s. services of experts and such 9th
I employees as it may deem necessa
10 carry into effect the provisions
ne this service. All necessary expens
p' of the said Board Of Assessment, h
vision and Appeals shall be paid
Sn the Council upon bills presented to
! a marked with the approval OF the So
IL board and properly audited by I
city auditor in the same manner
en- other bills against said city OF -"
ng mington are now passed.
=, ITO better enable said Board
III Assessment, Revision and Appea
%. and the assessors and collectors
oe make said assessments they shall ha