Norwich bulletin., 1917-07-14
Especial to The BulIetin)

New London, July 13-There are many possessors of mortgaged homes in the city of New London, who are at loss to know whether the proposition to equalize taxation really means an increase valuation and consequent in crease in taxation. That there was
 need for equalization perhaps in a few instances it is claimed that there was no need for a change in the valuation of about every piece of property in
 the city to bring about what the board Of equalization, or a majority thereof, considers the equalization that was
 outlined by the mayor at the time of
 the creation of the board. If that was
 the mayors intention he ought to
 make it known so that he may be
 judged accordingly. When the author
 ity was given for a local board of
 equaLiZa tion the sum of S1, 300 was
 added to the miscellaneous fund to
 meet the expense and the mayor was
 authorized to appoint the three mem
 bers of the board, and to the sur
 prise Of many the present board of as-
 sessoTs was appointed the board of
 equaliza ton. Therefore the appoint
 ment was almost equivalent to inform
 ing the board of assessors that they
 were not assessing property high
 enough to meet the current expenses
 and that they must increase the vaIu-
 ation and get more coin into the city
 treasurer. This, of course, answered
 as a veil for the political schemers
 who would lose political pull were
 there an increase in the tax rate.
 Rather than assume such responsibil-
 ity. the creation of a. board of equali- zation was decided upon to bear the
 political end of the scheme.
 It is the plain duty of the board of
 assessors to place fair valuation on all
 taxable property and this they did in
 sideration for the inflated value of
 New London real estate. When the
 assessors also became the equalizers it was clear case of acknoWle ledg gment
 that they had not done their duty in the past as assessors and were now
 expected to increase their previous valuations, under the cloak of equali-
 zation, so as to increase the amount Of taxes paid in, and thus shield the politicians higher up who would sign their political death warrant if they came out in public and made decIara- tton that there must be an even higher rate of taxation in order to meet the city expenses.
 The already over-taxed property owners. and they Ire in the maj jority, hallow and Murray, and the retiring Bracken, that they have the courage of their convictions and will not act as tools for any administra- tion, they will place the increase in valuation only on property that has never been fairly assessed, and not re- sort to the unjust method of increas- ing the valuation of about every piece of property in the city, just for the sake of preventing an increased rate as a blind for economical administration of city affairs. The mayor, the members of the court of common council and everybody else in the city knows that there is growing extravagance in mu- cicipal matters and that expenditures are made away beyond the receipts actual estimated. Why not come | put in the open and tell the people that | more money is being spent than is re- | ceived, and that the equalization l scheme was not intended to equalize | valuation, but rather to increase val l nation on about every piece of taxable | property in the city, and that it was l further intended to use the board of | and equaiIzers as the goat?
 The board Of assessors. be it known, | are elected by the people. just as are | he mayor and the members of the f court of comOn council, and are there | lore responsible to the people for their | public action, just as is the court of | common council. and the latter has no | control over the assessors. Had the | mayor appointed three citizens not the | assessors as members of the board of i the assessors would have | uN authority to. ignore the report of | he equa1izers and that would prob l Lbly have been done, as the supple mental report would be a direct re- lection on the work Of the assessors. i What will be the result under the ex- sting conditions? There is report l current that a majority of the dual board are favorable to a general in ,rease in taxation under the guise Of | to show recognition of appreciation of their appointment that ,arries with it a fee of $50O for each member. The board of assessors and ,qualization are supposed to be hon. ,rable men, and as such they ought lot to hide their action. If there Is 'ne man, or two of the trio who has he courage to state his position on his point, space will be given for the purpose in this column. If not ready or the publicity just now, it might be deferred to short time before next
 1ection. Then the tax payers can act | s the jurymen. and the taxpayers are he whole people.
 There are house owners in the city # New London, rented at fair rates, vho would really welcome an increase II taxation of say a $500 valuation. | which would mean in increase in tax l of about ss. There are instances