Evening star., 1927-02-17

Local boards of education in nearly
all the States are given full authority
to purchase property for school pur-
poses, making the best bargains pos
sible, and this method generally has
proved satisfactory, according to a
survey made recently by the civic de-
velopment department of the United
States Chamber of Commerce.
In Washington there is limit on
the price to be paid of not more than
rs per cent above the assessed vaiua-
ton, Cities in only one State, Massa-
chusetts. have a similar restriction.
There it is upheld as necessary to pro-
tect the public. Several OF the 2oo
cities from which data was furnished,
however, point out that the munlcl-
pality often is considered as fair prey
by the real estate owner, and recon-
mend that purchases be made through
professional real estate operators, act
ing confidentially.
The result In Washington has been
to slow up purchases, because own
ers do not consider 25 per cent above
the assessed valuation, even though
assessments are supposed to be made
on full valuation, is a fair price for
their property The survey shows
that in other cities there is great
difference, sometimes amounting to
more than 100 per cent. between the
assessed value and the price paid.
Much Depends on Board.
In the replies of many of the local
Chamber of Commerce to the ques-
tionnare 1t is stressed that great
deal depends on having an honest.
hnp
deal fairly with the owners and at the
same time protect the public. Most
States allow property to be acquired
for school purposes either by pur-
chase or condemnation, but the latter
method seldom is used, the survey
reveals.
In Alabama. the cities of Birming-
ham and Montgomery are represented
as thoroughly satisfied with the pres
ent system, although property pur-
chased for $4,000 was assessed only
at $4,000 in the latter city. The legal
basis for assessment is so per cent,
although the assessments really rep
resent about half of that.
California cities pay approximately
double the assessed value. which is
legally half the real value, and rep
resent themselves generally as we'll
satisfied. The Santa Cruz Chamber
of Commerce in Its reply emphasizes
that school boards authorized to make
purchases should be composed OF men
with more than ordinary knowledge
of real estate values and should be
able to see far into the future. so
that they can buy undeveloped lands.
Committee Suggested.
From Middletown, Conn, comes the
suggestion that a committee OF cltl'
Zens should be empowered to sev a
fair market value on property de-
sired for school purposes. Fort My
ers. Miami and Miami Beach, Fla,
represent themselves as well satisfied
with the present system. but empha-
size that school boards must be pub
lic-spirited men or the municipality is
in danger of being swindled. Thomas-
Vile, Ga, suggests that schedule De
mapped out for 20 years in advance,
and purchases made from time to
time in accordance with this schedule.
The Belleville. ILL.,. Chamber of
Commerce believes that the power to
contrac: for the purchase of school
property be left in the hands of the
board of education or municipal coun-
Gil, but that their acts be subject TO
approval by a referendum vote. =.
indiana cities apparently are well
satisfied with the present metnod Dy
which school boards are given full au-
thority, but Indianapolis suggests
that they should be restricted to a
price set upon the property by dis
Interested appraisers. At present no
appraisal is necessary. Terre Haute
approves the present system. but be-
lieves that purchases should be made
whenever possible through a conf
dental agent. since the seller imme-
diately is tempted to raise his price
when he learns that the city is the
prospective purchaser.
Condemnation Costly.
The Des Moines Chamber of Com
merce says that experience has
shown property can be acquired more
cheaply by purchase than by con-
demnation proceedings. Keokuk, Iowa.
admits the possibility of graft. but
considers the city is well protected
by a public-spirited body of school
directors.
The Detroit Chamber of Commerce
favors condemnation in all cases
where several plots of land are
under consideration because of
previous experience with the greedi-
/<<<><<<<>>><><>>>>>>>>>x