The sun., 1918-10-02
NASSAU TREASURER
DEFENDS TAX SALES
Luyster Denies Favoritism
Was Shown Cocks at
Land Auctions.
TEsTIFIES AS FAVOR
Refuses to Recognize Validity
Of New York County
Subpoena.
TEsTIFIEs AS FAVOR

Testifying before Magistrate Appleton
in the Municipal Building yesterday
William z. Luyster. Treasurer OF Mas
sau county. defended both ex-Repre-
! sentative w. W. Cocks and Nassau
county oficials against any suspicion OF
favoritism or irresuiarity in relation to
| the sale Of land at tax auctions.
Mr.. Luyster had been subpenacd to
attend the session Of the John Doe hear
ing at which District Attorney Swami
and the Mayors Committee on Taxation
are trying to get evidence against per-
sons who prey on small land owners as
well as information on which the Legis-
lature may be asked TO correct evils In
the present tax laws. He appeared with
J. Stewart Mcknight, counsel to Nassau
county. who said New York had no right
TO subpoena an officer OF Nassau county
In such a proceeding or TO investigate
Nassau. but that Mr.. Luystor had come
voluntarily to help IN any way he could.
No Accusation of Crime.
Magistrate Appleton responded that
Nassau county was not being investi-
gated and that no accusation OF crime
was being made. But as II appeared
that good many New Workers had had
distressing experiences with land they
had bought in Nassau county he wanted
Eight on what seems 30 be q great
| wrong to q considerable number OF per-
| sons"
Mr.. Mcknight. pointing out that New
| York city and the country districts were
subject to different tax laws. said: II
| certainly should object to the Treasurer
Of Nassau county being brought into
| New York county to testify regarding
| improvements In the tax law which do
| not AFFECT New York county at all. He
| viii be glad. however. to answer specific
questions and to testify as TO any mat
ter that ta-ln his official records"
After this parley Mr.. Luyster took
| the stand. Assistant District Attorney
Waugh asked him about two tax sale
lots near westbury which Mr.. Cocks
| bought from the county last year for
3s.l7 and which Mrs. Lena Steinoerg. a
/ daughter OF the original owner. Max
knopf. recovered from the county upon
payment OF tho tax arrears, $5<.Se. AL
though Mrs. Steinberg obtained her re-
| demption certificate from Mr.. Luyster's
|
did not give the county quit claim deed
| TO the lots until Monday OF this week.
Mr.. Luyster said the explanation wac
| very simple.
! NO taxes had been paid on this
property for ten OF fifteen years." he
/ eaid, land as prescribed by law II was
put up for auction. No odyer appearing
the county bid Il in. Then at the time
prescribed BY law there was held what
Is called a county sale, at which the
property not sold at tho tax sale is put
up at auction, minimum prices being
fxed by the Board OF Supervisors At
the county eale Mr.. Cocks bought quite
a number Of lots. among them being the
two that had been owned BY Mr.. Knopf.
Counting the auctioneers fee he paid
$3.50. think.
~ few weeks ago. when I was away
on my vacation. Mrs. Steinoerg appeared
and wanted to redeem these lots. The
chief clerk (Charles Steinsieck) told her
he would have to communicate with Mr..
Cocks.
Bossht Lots 70 Help County.
He wrote Mr.. Cocks and received this
reply:
"EsrExMEo FRIEND: Your note OF the
le6th inst received. Appreciate your in
Neres In the matter. Don't know what
the lots cost me, but will do just what
you say. Would like to have every one
redeem their lots Don't know whether
the deed was recorded or not, but will
look up the matter"
Later, said Mr.. Luyster. Mr.. Cocks
told him he had bought the lots only
TO help the county, as they go back on
the tax roll instead OF being held as
dead wood. and he certainly wouldn't de-
prive any woman OF her property.
when Mr.. Cocks bought this property
should he not have paid the back taxes
| to the county," asked Mr.. Waugh.
NO. the buyer at the county salc Is
not obligated to-" Mr.. Luyster replied.
i"He merely has to pay the price fixed
by the Supervisors. I don't know how
they arrive at IT The idea Of the whole
thing Is to get the property into the
hands of persons who will pay the!f
taxes as they fall due
Then no favoritism was shown Mr.
cocks?'
None. No favorit!sm has been shown
Mr.. Cocks"
Yet It was necessary for the woman
to pay the back taxes before she could
redeem the property"
Mr.. Luyster answered that II Mrs
Steinberg had gone TO Mr.. Cocks she
could probably have bought the lots
from him at about what he paid. but
as she insisted upon redeeming then
from the county there was nothing to dc
! but make her pay the arrears. So, pur'
suant to Mr.. cocks's letter. Clerk Stein
sleek gave her the redemption certificate
upon payment OF s64.62, knowing thai
. Mr. Cocks would make out tho qui
claim deed as soon as he returned from
the West. which he did.
IF had been there I would have
done the same az Charles" said this
; witness. "S;e!nsleck was doing good
act for a woman"
Mr. Steinsleck probably VIII testify
! to-day.