Perth Amboy evening news., 1921-04-09

that practically puts a stop to any extensive
improvements.
It is apparent, therefore, that the only way
out is to increase valuations so as to increase the
net worth Of the city thereby increasing its bor-
rowing capacity.
An increase in valuations would accomplish
two things for the city. 1t would make possible
the issuance of more bonds for additional i'm
provements such as the new school and addi-
lions that are SO necessary to take care of the
growing demands for more room to educate
the children, and it would lower the tax rate.
But what applies to Perth Amboy applies
with equal force to every other place In the
county, and throughout the entire state. No
town or city is going to increase its valuations
any more than it can help unless all do because
an increased valuation in once place and not in
another means that the place that increases Its
valuations also adds to the amount it must pay
the county. 1t also adds to the state tax. NO
city likes to be imposed upon. Yet, 1t Is plain
that practically every place could stand an in
crease in valuation without over-valuing prop
erty. The point is. it must be done generally
or it Is not likely to be done at all.
People think that by keeping valuations down
taxes are less. This is a mistake II the city is
run in a business like way. An increased valua-
ton would mean a corresponding reduction in
the tax rate and so the amount'to be paid would
remain about the same as far as the city tax
is concerned. The danger lies with politicians.
Once the valuations are raised 1t Is so easy to
pile on city expense because the tax rate is low
until the rate is nearly as high as It was under
low valuations which would mean = tremendous
burden for the property owners to carry.
There are very few properties in the state
that could not stand a substantial increase In
valuation and still be below their actual market
value. If the whole state could be reviewed In
this way and the increase made general no one
particular community would suffer at the ex-
pense of another, and by keeping the tax rate
down the people would not pay any more. Yet
the borrowing capacity of each municipality
would be greatly increase, thus enabling the is
suing of bonds for necessary improvements
while still keeping within the bond limit fixed
by law.
Perth Amboy must have more school room;
the city must develop its park property and 1t
must work out a definite city plan. Unless the
city can issue bonds in large amounts these nee
essary improvements must wait. 1t looks as 1t
the only solution is a substantial increase IN
valuation of the property in the city.
But Perth Amboy is not going to be the goat,
increasing valuations here while they remain
low in other places. This city is already con-
tributing more to defray the expenses OF the
county than another municipality in Middlesex.
Other places must be lacked up materially II
Perth Amboy is to do 80. Yet until this Is done
It will be impossible for the city to issue the
bonds necessary to finance the big propositions
are requiring immediate attention.
We fully realize how unpopular it is to sug-
gest an increase in valuations, but the truth
might as we'll be admitted. 1t is,the only way
the city can move ahead. The new Hall avenue
school that is so badly needed will have 10 wait
and the parks which the people ought to have
cannot be developed under existing conditions.
1t will be a long time before the present city
debt is reduced sufficiently to warrant such bond
issues and new buildings are not coming very
fast.
1t is time this matter of valuation was taken
I'D in earnest, but it must be countrywide and
statewide, If it is to be done at all. AS mat
tiers now stand with low valuations and a high
tax rate the people are only fooing themselves
and at the same time they are standing in the
way of real progress in municipal development.
As a matter Of self-respect, the first thing we
ought to do with Bergdoll when we get him back
is amputate his first two names.
General Pershing certainly had enough ex-
perience being the army's chief staff" in France
to make good as chief of staff in peace.
Railroad intensive economy" may we'll begin
with contracts which executives right hands let
to their Observation-Disclosures left hand.