Evening journal., 1914-03-27
COL. STOVER HITS
BACK AT CRITICS
Before Council Finance
Chairman Defends Action
in Assessment Work
SAYS APPEALS
WILL BE WELCOME

Col. Weller K. Stover. Councilman
from the Seventh ward. at the meet
ing of that body last eevning, replied
to criticism of him by an evening
newspaper because of the new assess
ment on real estate, he being a mem
ber of the Board of Assessment, Re
vision and Appeals The subject was
first brought up by Colonel Stover.
when he remarked that several Of the
members had been asking questions
about the form of appeal from the
assessment which is to be used next
month He stated that the assessment
board had decided to make several
changes in the appeal form. One OF
these changes, he said, would be the
changing of the Quetion, For what
amount would you be willing to sell
your property?" to read, state the
highest amount you think your prop
erty would bring If offered for sale"
Another change would be to elimi-
nate the reference to amount of the
mortgage existing on the property,
as he stated that while this infor-
nation would be strictly private,
some persons objected to going into
their personal affairs. He did not
think that anyone would object to the
remaining items on the appeal form
unless it should be the affidavit at
the end
The colonel remarked that no
truthful man should hesitate a mo-
ment to make an affidavit, and men
toned that when persons went TO the
Clerk of the Peace's office to take
out a state license, they were re-
quired to make an affidavit no
matter whether they were known to
that official, and witnesses in the
courts were put under oath, even
though they are well known as truth
ful men to the judges.
Colonel Stover then produced an
editorial bearing upon the assess
ment which he stated appeared in an
evening paper last evening He said
that this editorial is a reflection up
on every citizen of Wilmington He
read a paragraph from the editorial.
which stated that at is doubtful
whether the affidavit would be of any
use" and he declared that this was
the worst reflection upon the integ-
rity of the citizens OF Wilmington
that he had known for many years.
Colonel Slower stated that he wish
ed to make il plain that if any per-
son should come before the Board
and show that his or her property is
/ too highly assessed. the board will
right it without any question. He
fnI
I the board. which is only composed OF
three men, to accomplish something
/ in five months that the city has moi
accomplished for 100 years. and h,
ventured the opinion that when thu
taxes are paid next July. eighty peo
pie out of one hundred will be glaC
while the other twenty out Of th'
one hundred will be the ones who
have gotten away for years withou
paying their just taxes
He admitted that the board had
made some mistakes, as the under
taking was too large to permit of per
fection at the start. but be did not
believe il fair to have the people
hear of assessments that are wrong
and not hear of the thousands of as
sessments that are right. IF we're
eighty per cent right we are a great
deal nearer the home stretch than
we have ever BEEN" he added. He
stated that a false impression had
been created to the effect that the
people could not appeal. and stated
that every person who came in to the
board in the right spirit and stated
his case would get just consideration
The person who comes in with fire in
his eye. he said will get no more
consideration than any other person
President White mentioned that al
persons in the city did not share
the same opinion as to the editorial HI
was discussing. as a number of per
SONS had informed him that they had
enough confidence in the assessment
board to expect a square deal He
declared that there isn't a citizer
who has a grievance who won't ge
a square deal
Councilman Draper remarked that he
Twas in a public place and heard many
remarks about the assessment. both fol
aud against it. He stated, however, that
in almost every complaint made the per
son stated that they had "heard' what
some other person had said, but did not
know themselves. He said that wher
the assessment was explained TO thes,
persons they were satisfied. He believed
the new assessment is more perfect thar
mt has ever been. as the board stated
that it was now 60 per cent. perfect
whereas he doubted whether IL had eyei
lbeen 20 per cent perfect in the past.
Colonel Stover stated that he did moi
care a snap of the finger what the editor
said. as he only voiced the sentiment o.
one person. OF possibly two. He declare,
that the thought rankled, however, t.
have TO listen to the same old song. da,
after day, without a change of tune.
Colonel Stover said he did not thinl
that any man should throw any mud hi
way who had served four years in Coun
icil and during that time had ATTENDED
1914 meetings of that body, 3l3 of whicl
were for 81 apiece and the remainin:
1851 were for 30 cents apiece. He sai'
that councilman had attended 81 meet
Iings in the month of July, 1856.
DAMAGE SUITS ENDS.
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