The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1914-01-29

the common burden when they feel
sure it has been equitably distributed.
But all feel that if differences are
seemingly made 1t is ones duty to
himself to get out of carrying more
than what he considers his share.
That is only self protection.
Now, here are some examples OF the
present arbitrary, and we must hope
ignorant applications Of present as
sessment ordinances.
1. There is on North Hill a very
elegant home that occupies something
more than a quarter of a block. IN
qufre Of any one who knows the place
as to its value. He would likely say
that the house alone must have cost
$4,000 to $35,Oo0 The lot would be
valued at hardly less than $4,000
Total, $4,000. Just across the street is
q very nice home that would cost to
build some $4,000 to $4,000, very
likely It stands on about four lots.
Now the second place is assessed at
$4,000 and the first for only $105 500
There must be difference of So. 900
in the value OF the two places. The
wonder is by what system of valua-
ton these two assessments were hit
upon.
2. There Is on North Hill, we'll out
from the street car line-four blocks
oeyond-an elegant home. Should say
the house with outhouses, must have
cost from $1,000 to $4,000. It occu-
pies some seven or eight lots, and is on
a block that is bounded by Palafox
street The assessment on this place
is $4,000. It has given much of the
value to surrounding lots. Now the
next block nearer town containing "a
lots, with no improvements of any
value is assessed at $4,000. This block
is merely held for the citys growth
to enhance. 1t is not for sale I I'M
derstand, and is paying tax on about
one-third or less, of its market value.
Unimproved lots on the block just
south Of this are assessed at $500
each.
s. On East Hill there is an elegant
home that cost, I understand, from
$4,000 TO $4,000. occupying a block.
The property is now assessed at
$4,000 or about so per cent OF its
value. With no improvements the
block was assessed at $4,000, about so
per cent Of value.
4. For 1912 the American National
Bank building was assessed at $4,000,
for 1913 it's assessment went up to
1925, 200. This is, OF course, a highly
improved property. The old Escambia
hotel lot, with 3s4 feet on Palafox, by
1872 feet on Gregory and Wright
streets, is assessed at $42, 500. 1t car
ries mortgage for more than double
that amount. The vacant lot on the
block below, so beautifully decorated
with bill posters work, seems never to
have been seriously for sale. Though
1t was thought to be sold some four
years ago at $4,000. Meanwhile its
value has continued to grow despite
its owners, and it pays taxes on $4,000.
4. There is a place over on West
Intendencia street with 40 foot front,
172 feet deep. 1t has on it a dwelling
a bakery and a baker shop. When
purchased ii cost somewhere near
$4,000, am informed. But, 0 JUSTICE
Its assessed value is $3.50!
s. At the corner of Garden and
Tarragona streets there is a property
with a frontage of 240 feet on the
first and 200 feet on the second Of
these streets. 1t has on it sp!en-
didIy built warehouse. The total cost
of the property was about $4,000. 1t
is assessed for $4,000. In the same
block is a lot with $40 feet on Tar
ragona Except for a lot so feet by
Sc feet deep) and lis feet on Ro-
mana street, with practically no i'm
provements- The value of this piece is
from relative prices, from $4,000 to
$50, 600. It is assessed at $4,000, or
some Is per cent This 'ot is merely
held for an increase in value that the
on the adjoining lot just
mentioned and other like improve
ments may give 1t.
s. I know Of a, piece Of waterfront
property that covers some nine or ten
blocks that could not be bought for
less than $1,000 and I have heard
that it's price is $135.00o- It is as
sessed at s30,45o. less than 80 per cent
OF it's price, considerably.
z. Such instances as the following
seem common in the MaXent tract.
Between Gregory and Chase on B
street, is a lot of 90 feet, that was paid
for at $40 per foot. At that rate lots
there should be worth $500 each. These
were assessed at $50, until they came
into the hands of a man who wishes
to build on it. BY the general rule