Evening journal., 1919-08-14
oCCC DDnCITrCpINC
0LL0 j HUfiiEEHilvu
IN REAL ESTATE
Tax Collector Wants to
Know Why City Doesn't
Raise Assessments
BADER WOULD HAVE
CITY BUILD HOME S

Elmer II. Klund tax collector for the
Northern District "starled something
when he appeared before the meeting Of
ibe committee Of the whole or City
Council last night and suggested that
the city might secure quite an increase
in taxation by raising assessments Mr.
klund said there wore many instances
.of unjust raises I'm rent. The promise
was made by Col. Weller b. StOyor, OF
city Board of Assessment, that he would
get after The rent pronteers wherever
there was an opportunity TO do so with
In the law.
Mr. klund wanted TO know why
houses are not assessed at the value
owners place upon them.
lie declared City Council could derive
a great deal more money from such as
sessmenl. In one case. he pointed out
that house which was assessed for
S3i00, was sold for $1,000.
Colonel Slower stated that real estate
values are abnormal and Inflated, and
that values would undoubtedly come
down a little, although they may not
fall TO their former level. Colonel
Stover said that what a man asks for
hNuse or sells ID for cannni be taken
as rs value n is necessary to have a
uniform standard 10 determine the
value Of real estate in order 10 make al
fair and correct assessment, he eX-
planned In determining the assess
ment Of house the value of the
land and the value Of tho building are
taken into consideration The assess
ment on now houses Is placed at -
q Ia,
they may compete against houses Of
similar size and construction which |
were hullt four or 1--WE years ago.
In explaining the determination Of
The Assessment Board 10 get after the |
real estate proilteers Colonel Slower OK
planned that action would not be taken
IN cases where a normal increase was
asked, but in clear cases Of nroflieerng
Whenever Council feels the assessed
values OF real estate in Wilmington are
loo low and we are instructed TO raise
them, we VIII do so" he said I'VE I
ion't plan anything radical this year,
During last year we raised the assess
nenis on 1000 properties. out Of
otal number Of 2s0OO properties as
iessed. there were only iii appeals
John A. Bader, a contractor proposed
hat City Council set an example for
very other city In the country 10 fol-
ow by building houses for the people !
u The city. He said that houses could
,e built cheap enough so that a laborer
lr mechanic could pay for a months Il
'ent with a weeks wages. 10 must be ,
lone on a large scale 10 set the benefit ,
" wholesale prices Of materials.
President Lyon said Council could
not go into The contracting business
Mr. Bader suggested that
Council have a committee TO promote
he scheme by interesting several men
4 means. James Kane suggested that II
company he formed 10 sell stock. and
that several contractors form
uch a company Mr. Bader said he was
l0i In pOsillOn 10 do such a thing at ,
he present time
The situation is bad. he declared. IN /
5 much as there is a dearth OF lab0r IN
he city and that u j. very ditllcult 70
ri men 10 come here because OF the d
OF renting a house. In \
rider 90 get responsible workmcn. he =
aid t Is often necessary TO get them /
house. In
Persons who are tearing down houses
. order 10 build garages were scalh-
lgly denounced by many Of The Coun- I
linen. Its a crime to tear down :
ouses TO build garages at a time like /,
his" Councilman John o. Hopkins de-
Jared that about 100 houses had al
oady been torn down TO make room :
lr garages There Is a possibility that a
elton may be taken 10 stop this prac- y
ce at The present time, when so many !
,miles are suffering because Of the =
.ck Of housing facilities.