Aug. 9th, 1939.
 
Hon. Franklin D. Roosevelt    
Hyde Park
Dutchess County, N. Y.
 
Dear Franklin:
 
           I sent the letter to John H. Van de Water
Chairman of the Board of Assessors of the Town of Hyde Park,
a copy of which I sent you, and also went to see him on 
Monday night, August 7th. He insisted that I appear before 
the Board on Tuesday morning. On Tuesday morning I appeared 
before the Board and they agreed to assess part of the Jones
property to you and part of it to Mrs. Backer and to
transfer the additional $6,600. to the 74 acre tract now 
assessed at  $2,000. on which the new stone cottage is
located.
 
           It seems that the assessors have read the
newspapers in which  there was a statement to the effect the
stone cottage was to cost $16,000., and ,in view of that the
$6,500.additional assessment is not excessive.
 
            I talked to them about reducing the assessment
on the rest of the Dumphy farm and they did not seem inclined
to do so. It appears that the New York Central Railroad Company
is trying to get an $80,000. reduction in their assessment
and this is giving them a lot of trouble.
 
            In reference to the Lent wood lot, a deed has
been sent to  Mr. Leo to be executed by Mrs. Leo through Hatfield
and $200. is at the Merchants Bank awaiting the arrival of this
deed.
 
            I have read over the deed of the parcel to the
Federal Government for the library and do not see any corrections
oradditions to be made.
 
                   Sincerely yours,
                    Henry Hackett