Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-12-09
COUNTY BOARDS
Of TAXATION TO
Be ABOLISHED
Republican Legislators Plan to
Do Away With Three Jobs
in Each County.
81 eciai to the Evening star.

SIecial to the Evening star.
TRENTON. Dec. g.-Abolition of
tbe county boards of taxation, which
means the wiping out Of three Jobs IN
each of the twenty-one counties Of
The state, was agreed upon yesterday
afternoon at a joint conference OF
senate and House members OF the
Republican majority in the next
legislature The subject is one Whieh
mas been agitated for NUMBER OF
years. but has never before received
serious consideration.
The conference did not decide
whether any other form OF tax super
vision. as between districts in the
same county should be provided. The
county tax boards We're created dur
iae The term of Edward g Stokes as
governor. their primary function
being TO see that property within
their respective Jurisdictions was ap-
praised al its true value and that no
inequalities should exist as between
different properties in different
municipalities
Contemporaneously with the estab-
ishment of the county tax boards "a
law was passed providing that rail-
read property. or at least 50 much OF
it as included the actual right OF
way, should be taxed at the average
tax rate in the state. The law had
scarcely been put in operation when
the claim was made that the two
acts operated to the advantage of the
railroads. The cry at once became
popular. and has resulted in the long
continued fight for abolition of county
TAX boards.
Each board is now composed OF two
Democrats and one Republican, eN-
eept in a few instances where Pro
gressives were appointed by Presi-
dent Wilson during his term as gov
eTnor.
Salaries paid to State officials were
also discussed at the conference. but
no definite steps were taken Many
OF the Republicans were inclined to
think that some of the salaries paid
in the State are too high. In view
of the fact, however, that the Legis-
iature will have to consider number
II bills recommended by the Economy
and Efficiency Commission, looking
toward the consolidation Of different
departments, the conference decided
70 treat the subject in its entirety.
Bugbee Is Reproved.
The conferees entered into a gem
eral discussion of their legislation
program. Newton A X. Bugbee, Re-
publican State chairman, came in for
some criticism as the result OF his
remarks at the testimonial dinner
given him by Republican leaders last
Tuesday night Mr.. Bugbee called
the Republicans down for not re-
trenching in the matter OF patronage
distribution. The Republicans of
both houses this year had been con-
sidering cutting down the number of
iobs annually handed out, and seemed
peeved because Mr.. Bugbee took oc-
casion to chastise them in public
Without consulting the members first.
Senator Reed. of Camden, leader
Of the Republicans in the Senate,
said an earnest effort would be made
70 see if the patronage could be cut
down. The Democrats last year put
the number of Senate ard House
Offices IN the law, and Mr.. Read said
his party could not be blamed for
complying with the law as it stands
at present. The Republicans. ac-
cording to Senator Read. intend 10
have efficiency, economically admin
istered, in the Jobs they hand out.
Speaking Of the patronage, Senator
Read after the meeting said that it
cost the State about 81 500 for each
member of the Legislature in the mat
ter of patronage. This. he said, in
Guided stationery, clerks, printing
and all other expenses. Comparing
this expense with the Legislative eX-
penses Of Pennsylvania, Mr.. Read did
not think New Jersey was particu-
larly extravagant
The efficiency and economy pro-
gram of the Republicans was not
taken up yesterday. Senator Edge,
who will be president of the Senate,
did not attend the meeting. He is
cunning in Tennessee. Besides the
program. which will be presented by
the Efficiency and Economy Commits
sion, ii was agreed that the Republl-
cans should present their individual
views with respect TO economy in
State government. Along this line
suggestions will be put forward to
reduce the salaries Of officials, which
the Republicans consider eXorbitant.
no names or offices We're mentioned
IN this proposed salary cutting.
Assemblyman Thomas J. Smith,
chairman of the special committee on
labor legislation, has mapped out a
program for his committee to follow
and expects to have bills touching on
the subject OF labor ready for intro
duetion when the session opens. Mr..
Smith will confer with the head OF
the state Labor Department next
week with a view to ascertaining the
departments needs. Another commit
tee of which Mr.. Smith is chairman