Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1921-03-01
MOVE ON COUNTY
TAX DROPPED
Nothing Will be Done by
Union Board to Correct
Assessments on Realty.
HEARING is ADJOURNED
Likely That Legislation Will
be Asked State Board to
Also Study the Case.
HEARING IS ADJOURNED
[By Evening News Correspondent. ]

[By Evening News Correspondent
TRENTON, March 1:-Lloyd
Thompson. of Westfield, member of
the Union county tax board, today
admitted before the State Board of
Taxes and Assessment that nothing
will be done by the board to correct
the assessm tents on Middlesex coun-
ty real estate this year and the
board indefinitely adjourned.
The proceedings were brought be-
fore it several weeks ago by the
Union county authorities who
charged that property in Middlesex
county is being undervalued and
that the other divisions of state are
overtaxed as a result. In the mean
time the state board will study the
subject and reach conclusion as to
its jurisdiction to consider the mat
ter. 1t is likely also that legislation
will be asked to correct the present
law which provides only 500 to
conduct investigations of assess
ments when they are questioned.
State Senator Thomas Brown ap-
peared today for industrial interests
in Middlesex, Thomas II. Haggerty
for the Middlesex tax board, Russell
Z, Watson for Woodbridge property
owners, John Strassburger. of New
Brunswick, Joseph Hermann, OF
Roosevelt, members of tax board,
and Frank Deiner. of New Bruins
wick, secretary of the board.
Senator Brown made the chief ar
gument for the Middlesex interests.
| He again questioned the jurisdic-
tion of the state board. He said as
! follows:
IF the board proceeds under sec
| ton 3 of the tax act il would
| be required to serve a rule to
show cause and notice and every
| property owner in Middlesex coun-
| ty why their assessments should
not be increased and not only that,
| but 1t would be duly bound to ex-
| anime into all the territory contrib
uting to the common cause, for the
act provides that the exa mination
should be made in order to equal
| ize the valuations throughout the
| territory which contributes to the
common burden.
Section does not compel the
| board to take cognizance of the COM
| plant of Union county," said Sena-
| tor Brown. 1T provides that it may
/ examine any assessors, may take
| testimony and it may make a per-
| sonal examination and after all this
| is done it may reduce or 1t may in
! crease tne assessments, Sdlu tHe
I senator.
ITO say the least the foregoing
provisions are extremely limited in
| their force TO create jurisdiction,
original and general in this board. "
The point was also made that
| the complaint is insufficient in that
| it is not signed by the county treas
urer of Union nor by the chosen
| freeholders or the Union County Tax
Board. That it refers to an "opin-
| ion" of the tax board and freehold
ers as to the undervaluations.
In attendance with Mr.. Thomp-
son at the hearing were the follow
| ing Union county officials: Francis
| v. Dobbins of Railway, and John
| ]. Collins. Elizabeth members of the
| tax board; Thomas Haviland, Eliza
| beth, member of the freeholders;
Frank Blattz. Plainfield counsel for
! the freeholders, and Nathan r.
Leayitt county treasurer.