Newark evening star and Newark advertiser., 1914-05-14
.MADISON'S TAXES
UNDER CRITICISM
Political Friendship Blamed for
Variance in Assessments
on Property.

MADISON, May IA meeting of
the special committee of the Board
of Public Improvement on the sub
mission of the question of commits
sion government at the home of w.
Reginald Baker last evening resulted
in a committee of five being ap-
pointed to arrange for public mass
meetings and other means of getting
the issue before the public.
Lewis A. Waters stated that he had
not made up his mind that commits
sion government is any improvement
over the present system, and that he
had come to the meeting open for
conviction. He did not think that the
system would improve the efficiency
of the governing body.
1t was then stated that under the
present system a good man would be
just as efficient as he would be
under the new form, but that d; weak
man would improve in efficiency under
commission rule The initiative, ref
erendum and recall We're given in
substantiation of this argument. If
a man didn't do the right thing the
people could make him do it, he was
told.
The High Tax Rate.
Travelling somewhat from the point,
someone suggested that the high tax
rate is what is hampering Madison.
Having as 1t has the fifth highest
tax rate in the State, 1t is thought
that the valuations should be in
creased Several members stated that
the high rate drives prospective resi-
dents away from the town. The ma
jority thought that an increase, as
well as an equalization, of valuations
would remedy this condition.
George Weber declared that If the
valuations are increased that Madi
son will be paying more than its
share of the county tax. The pres
ent valuation on Madison property, he
said, is $4,224, 900.
THE great trouble with our taxes"
said Mr.. Mckinney, 'is that there is
too much favoritism, political friend
ship and consideration for party af-
filiations shown in assessing. An in
crease and equalization of valuations
ought to straighten the matter out"
Mrs. w. r, Baker asked of what
direct benefit a Capitalization of
power would be.
Our present system" said Mr..
Mckinney, 'is like going on motor
trip which could not stop until five
persons agreed"
Or until the gas gave out" from
Mr. Weber.
mo danger of gas giving out in
our council" said Mrs. Baker.
The difficulty of getting good men
to run under the borough government
was spoken of. II. S. Kinney stated
that this trouble was experienced in
East Orange. 1t was thought that
the salaries attached and the CEN
tralization of power might prompt
efficient men to accept under the new
government.
Near the close of the meeting Mr..
Waters stated: 1T wants to be
understood that this is not a fac
tional movement. We have not met
here to go after anyone. We have
assembled wholly and simply for the
betterment of Madison"
1t was the sentiment of the meet
ing that the opinion of the people be
ascertained by public meetings, dis
tribution of circulars and canvassing.
Those on the subcommittee to ar
range for a mass meeting and other
methods of finding out the sentiment
Of the people are W. Reginald
Baker, chairman; James F. McKin-
ney, Frank Waters, George F. Weber
and L. A. Waters.
In closing the meeting the chair
man remarked that it might amount
to little and yet 1t might mark an
epoch in governmental affairs in
Madison.
Those attending the meeting were
w, r. Baker, chairman; H. S. Kin
ney, secretary; Mrs. J. n. Tuttle,
Mrs. A. NJ. Decker, Mrs. ". r. Baker,
Z. S Wilsey. L. d. Bement, James F.
Mckinney, George +. Weber, L. A.
Waters, Carol B. Merritt, Frank
Waters and Thomas J. Mccarthy.