Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1888-12-08
GEORGES LAND tax THEORY.

GEORGES LAND TAX THEORY.
When Dr.. McGlyn was in Topeka be
handled the land tax scheme OF Henry
George in q very pleasing manner. The
truth is that the doctor is good lee
tursr and has the power to make black
to appear white and vice-versa. AZ
We understand Mr.. George and the doc
tor, they advocate the taxation OF land,
end not taxing personal. property, as
remedy for existing social evils, apd to
prevent the manipulisation OF land and
the individual control OF natio--l Of
6cs holders.
To the extent that Mr.. George
seeks betterment of social conditions, q
more equitable distribution OF wealth
and increased security to the moderate
property holder, We are with him heart
ily and sincerely, but We fail to zee how
by the taxation Of land values only the
Aforesaid much desired end can be prac-
tically ettained. To tax land to its full
rental value would be tantsmount to
confscstion.
To obtain all needed revenue from
land would be to tax it to its present
full rental value, hsnce to the point OF
confscation.
The total value of ell property in the
Uniten States ss per census of 1851 was
about S44,000,0G0,G00.
The farm land of this country was then
estimated to be worth about 100000
900, 900, or little over one-ffth OF the
whole amount of property. We under
stand that MIR. George does not propose
to tax improved city property. but SIM
ply the ground on which the said i'm
provements stand, on the theory that to
tax any thing but land would be to tax
production or the products of labor, and
that to tax productions to stife enter
prise. Well, to the S10,0OO,OOO,OOO OF
farm land we will add, in round numbers,
say $4,000, 900, 900 for the value Of IN
improved city lots, making SIS, 600, Co.,
600, in all, or about one-third the
entire property value as per census OF
1880, the remaining two thirds COM
prising improved city property; rail
roads, bridges, squeduots, canals and
divers other properties, OF which the
item OF railroads alone amounted to
about 100000,
We will assume that the federal gov
eminent will require for its maintain
ance and support $500, 100000 annually,
which amount is about two per cent. of
the value (S15, 900, 100000 as above) Of
vacant city and farm property. Now, it
is known to every tax payer that state,
county and municipal taxation will aver
age to-day, taking the country as
whole, about two and one-ha!f per cent.
of the assessed valuation Of the property
from which it is collected; but since
there are many under valuations and
much personally that is omitted, but
which could be assessed if the proper
methods were instituted, it is probable
that on FULL assessment the average
rate need not exceed two per cent. for
all purposes, and perhaps even less. Now
If to support state, county and municipal
government on full assessment of all
property, it should require even one and
one-half per cent, then four and one-hslf
would be required if nothing was taxed
save farm lands end vacant city pro-
perty, which, as before stated, are about
one-third the entire property value.
There cannot be tia slightest doubt that
IT all the property in every county in the
United Stetse, as assessed by local u.s.
sessors, aggregated to-day, it would
reach a total quite equal to, if not
greater than the report Of the census.
It is therefore, clear that if, as above,
4une and one-hali per cent would be re-
.quired on the whole amount, that four
and one-half would be required on one
third the amount. To the four and one
half add the two per cent required for
the federal government and We have five
and one-hslf in all, which is fully equal
to the rental value of any land to-day.
To obtain all revenue froru land and
vacant lots would, therefore, work vir-
&ual con6scatio-, unless the rental value
could be materially increased.
Farm lands that will sell for 500 to-
day are we'll rented if they yield S. per
acre. which is 6 per cant. Of principal,
or abonr one half per cent. in advance
OF the rate should lands beer all the bur-
aens Of government. Nor would the
GENITAL value of lands be increased. If
so, as we understand Mr.. George, the
rate should be correspondingly increas-
ed, 90 that virtual con6scation would
inevitsbly result. What justice is there
In co6scating lauds and city lots?
What reason is there for exempting
railroads and other securities and prop
critics from tax, thus doubling their
value?
II the estate Of every individual in the
United States YVES composed of one
third land and the balance personal
property. there might be some show of
Justice in levying tax tsntamount to con-
fiscation on that portion Of the property,
but where some estates are ell land and
Others all railroad stock, why confiscate
the former and to a corresponding de-
gree enhance the value of the latter