Word: curleys
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Dates: during 1940-1949
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...Curley...
Generally, the election issue is whether or not to re-elect Mayor Curley. An extravagant administrator, Curley has spent every cent he can get his hands on plus some of the future tax money, to employ everyone he can. He has, too, allowed even fostered sources of flagrant graft in the city's government. On the other hand, he has accomplished a number of worthwhile projects--housing, recreational facilities, reads. His opponents accuse Curley of keeping the tax rate at a sky-high $56.80; of maintaining high assessment valuation; and of abating assessed valuation discriminately. Yet, Curley can point that...
Each of these minor issues requires a more detailed explanation. First of all, the city's main trouble cannot be attributed to Curley or to any other single person. It is a municipal disease caused partly by the city's antiquity, partly by the large immigrant groups, even more by geography. The city's real problem is one of the decreasing value of land, Since 1906, the assessment valuation of properly in Boston has remained very close to $2000 per capita. As the cost of living has risen, this valuation which normally should follow the trend of the owner...
Since the city cannot get enough money to run itself from valuations it must turn to the tax rate for a source of income. The assessment valuation plus the tax rate gives an index figure which a city must maintain to operate properly. Thus, throughout Curley's administrations, the tax rate has been going up and, if the valuation were to drop to the real value of the land now, the tax rate would be even higher...
...During Curley's term, however, there existed an "abatements racket," whereby certain property owners were given rebates on their assessment by dubious re-evaluations. If a landlord wishes to get an abatement on his assessment in Boston, he applies to the City Assessor's office and pays the fee demanded. Whether or not the abatement is granted, that fee is attached to the property owner's assessment from that year on; the money apparently goes directly to the Board of Assessors each year. That's one sources of excess intake in the Assessment Division. But, there is a further explicitly...