Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-11-10
Realty Board to Aid
in Tax Equalization
Continued from Pase One

Continued from Psse Ono
take this action and ask the bureau to
take up the probe discussed some time
ago."
Mr.. Gutenberg. director of the bu-
reau. expressed himself as more will
ing to make the survey suggested.
our present assessment system is
a disgrace" he declared. at is the
old. time rule of thumb method. en-
tirely dependent on the individual judg.
ment of men who may not even have
had enough experience to entitle their
judgments to consideration.
Studied In 1913
In 1913 our bureau, then under
made a study of the assessment sys.
TEN. When 1t had been completed the
finding of facts were sent to the tax
board, with the request that they be
verified or corrected. They were then
to be returned to us and. following our
usual custom, we were to add our own
constructive criticisms based upon these
facts.
But the tax board took our report
and had It printed at their own cx-
pense and sent it out broadcast as a
vindication and clean bill of health for
their personnel and their system. As
q matter of fact, it was intended as
no such thing. We were prepared to
follow up with great deal Of criticism.
unfortunately, just at that time DR..
Burks gave up his connection With us
to go to California and when | took
charge here, found too much work to
permit mo to complete the second part
Of the survey.
Crowded With Work
AT the present time, we are crowded
with work, but, IL ! am asked to moke
another investigation with constructive
criticism, l can arrange matters so
that we can begin 1t in thirty days.
The statement of facts published in
1913 can be used as a basis for another
survey and will thus cut down the
work considerably.
We have here complete studies of
the tax and assessment systems in other
cities and they show PHILADELPHIA TO be
hopelessly antiqunted. I doubt IL there
Is any branch Of civic life that so
badly needs reformation as this one,
Tor 1t is the basis Of our entire financial
program and that. in turn. is the basis
for every comfort and convenience of
home and social life which citizen can
enjoy"
Protest Committee Is Named
The Twenty eighth ward indignation
meeting last night was held in st. Col.
umbas Hall, Twenty third street and
Lchigh avenue.
The following committee was an.
pointed to confer wi tn incensed groups
OF property owners in other neghbor.
hoods to arrange details of the mass.
meeting: John Milligan, chairman
Windon Bryant, Charles McKenny and
samuel Norman. These men spoke at
the meeting.
One hundred and eighty property
owners decided to protest in a BODY to.
morrow against increases in the valua.
tions Of their properties before the as.
SCISSORS Of their ward at the Office OF the
Board of Revision of Taxes, Room $50.
City Hall.
One. speaker presented the case of
alleged unfair assessments In the yicin.
ity OF Thirty second and Huntington
streets. A man bought n house there
for $6500. His neighbor owned q house
identical with his. The neighbor in
stalled electric lights, steam heat and
other improvements, and sold the house
for $l3 900. Therefore, assessments
on all other houses in this block, whether
improved or not. were made on the ba |
sis of this $l3, 800 sale.