Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-03-16
ALDERMAN BRIDGES
RAPS TAXATION METHODS

<AiuerHiah Nathan II. Bridges of
ward i've has exploded a bomb right
among his colleagues in the CITY gov
eminent in letter which he wrote TO
the editor of the Lewiston Journal
appearing in last nights edition of
That paper, in which he apparently at
tempt to criticize the board of asses
sors and their methods of valuation.
Mf. bridges at recent meeting of the
city fathers was gently rebuked bv
Mayor Robinson when he told the al
'dermen Of having had some talk with
Assessor w. III. Perry regarding the
work of the board of assessors Mavor
Robinson at that time reminded Mr..
Bridges that lie was only one member,
OF the board of aldermen and that
there were six others besides himself,
and that il he (Bridges) had any
thing to say the place TO say it was
right here and not enc on the street"
Mr.. Bridges letter follows:
To Editors of The Lewiston Journal.
AS Facts concerning he and incidents
leading up the gentle rebukc" admin
iStered to me by Mayor Robinson at
the last meeting of the Hallowell city
government were misstated in your
issue of Friday. March 10. | request
mat as a matter of fair play. YOU
Will publish my version of what took
place. Summarized. the report to
meeting that l had called Assessor
W. Ii. Perry into my place of business
and tod him what the city govern
ment expected of the assessors. and
that when I had said that, Mayor
Robinson informed me that | was not
the whole government, that I had no
business TO act as its spokesman. and
mat II | had anything to say | should
say 1t before the board of aldermen.
The facts of the case are these: 7
did not call Mr.. Perry into my place
OF business or state that | had done
so. He came into my store of his own
accord and of his own accord intro
duced the discussion of the duties of
TAX assessor by asking who would be
elected to the board. / replied that I
did not know. He said that he thought
| might know the drift of sentiment
and remarked that he had heard ! was
opposed to the reelection of the asses
SCR who at the subsequent meeting
won by vote of four TO three. l ad-
mitted that / was. not for any per-
sonal reason. but because that asses
scr had voted for the abatement of
the interest on the taxes due the city
from the Halowell Granite Works
can abatement which | considered
wholly unwarranted).
This led to n discussion of the fair
valuation Of property and Mr.. Perry
asked me TO name some who | be-
iieved wcrc not bearing their just
share OF the city's financial burden.
| replied by naming persons and firms
mentioned by leading and very in
fuential citizen Of Hallowell before a
meeting of the city government,
among whom this citizen named him
self and prominent member of the
board of assessors. This citizen said
that many valuations now in force
we're made long time ago. and Mr..
Perry said the board had remedied
this as far as possible He said that
he would be glad to have mo or any
other member of the board of aldermen
appear before tho assessors 10 take
tirelv clear to Mr.. Perry that | was
speaking only as a citizen.
At tho city government meeting at
which the members of the board of
assessors whom had opposed was re-
elected. the aldermen passed an order
that the assessors should come before
them at the next meeting. When the
order was introduced | remarked that
it was q good plan and told of my
conversation with Mr.. Perry. Mayor
Robinson said that the place to talk
over such matters was before the city
government. and I expressed resent
ment at what | termed his 'insinua-
lions" He denied that he was insn-
uating anything. / declared that had
Il right as citizen to express my own
opinion and that L was not in any way
speaking for the city government.
Mayor Robinson told mo | had no such
right. Of course | disagree with him.
but credit him with honesty of opin-
ion.
Rather than to bubble over point
of propriety 7 believe it is the duty
of every member of the city govern
mnnt of Hallowell 10 cooperate with
re assessors TO the end Of rectifying
the VIGOROUSLY ineuuitablel tax valua-
tion Of property in Hallowcll. The man
with little property. the value of
whose belongings can he quickly APP
praised. pays in fun measure. To get
n the true valuation of more extensive
property requires careful aud intclli-
c"nt investigation and fearless indc-
rcndence.
If the citY's financial condition war;
ianted less tax revenue, which ii docs
not, the small property holder should
share in the advantage through lower
tax rate. As long as any industry Is
assessed only small fraction Of it's
true vaue--and Mayer Robinson sure
~ knows Of sUcll--thc citizens Of Hal
lowell have just cause for indignation.
OF course / do not refer 10 the OK
encouragement of new industry,
which III some cases may be advis-
able.
In general personal publicity is not
,,icas.ng to me. but if mild rebukes"
~ Mayor Robinson will serve to bring
to the attention of citizens matters
which directly concern their welfare