Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1916-06-27
CITY FATHERS MEET
CONSIDER ASSESSMENT
A Busy Session Of Mayor and City
Council Until After Midnight.
FARMERS BANK ASKS INCREASE.
Others Object to More Taxes---Com.
plants Made of Excessive City
Tax Rates---That is Why
People Are Building at
Wardour.

People Are Building at
Wardour.
1t was the busiest of busy sessions
l&sb night held by the Mayor and Cit,
| Council until after midnight. The oc
scaslon was special meeting callei fol
considering matters of assessment an(
a probable equalization of the taxable
basis of city property.
There were number of committees
and individuals present in the interest
OF decrease of taxes. Among whom was
Prof. John Chew, of Murray Hill. who
protested against the excessive tax rate
in this section of the city at fancy
| avenue Professor Chew said new-com.
| ers are deferred from taking up their
residence in Annapolis because of ex-
cessive taxes, and for this reason MANY
are being driven away altogether, while
others are building homes at wardour
| which offers the same inducements OF
all the civic comforts and improve
ments OF Annapolis, but with much
lower tax rate.
Mr. Daniel p. Thompson appeared
before the Board ami requested a full
statement OF the city's finances.
The city fixed the taxable basis for
Compromise street at SIS; for Claude
street the rate was fixed at $40, on the
side bordering on the river and on the
southwest side, SIS.
Several attachments were granted
The taxable basis on the ground was
male uniform for Clay street extended
at So per foot
Through its president, Harry J. Hop
kins, the Farmers National Bank asked
to have its assessment increased $500
the iity having already increased the
assessment $4,000. This will make the
banks assessment $4,000 additional taxes
Details of Meeting.
AT s o'clock the Mayor called the
Council to order and ON roll-call nine
members answered to their names
Alderman Adams being absent. The
following business was transacted;
The property owners were notified
that all real estate on Cornhill street
would be increased at the rate of So a
front foot. This street is now assess
ed at $50 front foot. All are assess
ed at this rate except Mr.. Klawanski,
who is assessed at $50 front foot,
Mr.. McCusker and Mr.. ID. p. Thomp-
son protested against the increase,and
MIR. Gould appeared for Mrs. Martin.
and asked that her assessment be re-
duced to so from sc feet, as the deed
of MIR. M Smith shows this strip of
land has been turned into a public
thoroughfare
Mrs Holden protested against her
assessment on her property on Corn
hill street, and also on King George
street.
Mr.. w. It. Ca,iell also opposed the in
crease on Cornhill street.
Mr.. ID. p. Thompson was interested
in knowing the rate paid by the prop
erty owners on all the streets of An
napolis, and also wanted to know what
were the receipts and expenses of the
city Clerk Porter read the items of
estimated receipts on the back of the
tax bills and also the expenses. Mr..
Thompson asked what became of the
difference. He was Informed that the
difference was used for the paying of
street improvements.
Alderman Smith suggested as there
were other men present who desired
to be heard that Mr.. Thompson be al
lowed the privilege of examining the
city records for his information.
Alderman Smith stated that the
Board did not know that these increas-
es were made and he was opposed to
it, and he seconded Alderman Russell's
motion, which was carried and the as
sesment will remain at $50 front foot.
1t was proposed that So be added to
the front foot of property on Holland
| street. Mr.. Martin, one of the prop
/ erty owners on the street. stated that
he was in favor of the increase if il
was made uniform. He also stated
| that he considered the scheme of tax
| alton in vogue at present a farce. He
| also stated that while he was paying
| $15 front foot and the increase die
not affect him, while the rest only paid
$40.
Il wi. 10OA eAlSO SHOAG OIi lIls
| subject and said he had cold feet since
he heard Cornhill street called an ale.
and lived on the street for self-pro
| lection.
Alderman Parkinson moved t1at the
assessment be kept at the same rate
| so. and Mr. Martins assessment bt
| reduced to the same basis.
/ Alderman Smith seconded the mo
ton. and on being put to vote b,
the Mayor the Council passed the ma
| ton unanimously.
| It was recommended that fancy ave
nue. be increased to $50. The avenu
is now assessed at 81 a front foot.
Mr.. Woodward appeared and opposes
the proposed increase and he consider
ed $40 or SD fair value per from
foot.
Mr.. Steele thought that the rails
was out of all proportion, and b
thought that $12 was fair value.