The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-02-04
IAPAN'S LAND TAX.
DIR. Rothgen's Assertion in Regard to ORR
gin of the Single Tax Denied.


DEAR Sir: DR.. Rothgen is quoted as
saying that nearly all the tax OF Japan is
raised on land values, and it is thought
from this statement the single tax idea
came from japan and that tins empire is
proof positive that the single tax theory is
wrong.
Let us examine the matter briefly. The
statistics show that about 50 per cent. Of
the taxes of this country for the year 1875
were on land values, but not as under
stood by the single taxer, because only a
little over one-tenth of the land is in use.
Most of it is in rice fields, and it is taxed
not at its value in its natural state, but as
it is improved. The application of the
single tax to Japan would put the eight
tenths of unused land to the best use il is
capable Of but now it is simply held as
government land. 1t can be bought, but
the price is too high, and it will be highly
taxed if improved.
Again, city property is absurdly low. /
rented house and put up shed for my
COW. The tax collector came around and
said the taxes would have to be raised as
the land had changed from garden to
building location; in consequence l had
to take the shed down and put it up in
different place. These laws discourage
improvements.
When the system of government was
changed from the federal TO the present
style the people bought of the land and
the barons and soldier class were pen
stoned, hence the taxes are enormously
high. This is gross violation of the sin
gle tax idea.
Japan is little smaller than the single
afo a ~ California Irrt
and navy, royal family with inIumera-
bic satraps, etc The protection theory
was carried to its logical extreme. Sea-
going ships were burned and none were
allowed to 90 to or to come from foreign
countries The consequence is the people
are taxed nearly into their graves. Still
the country is largely a bowling wildner-
ness. This country needs the single tax
for its regeneration.
l preach the gospel, but when people
are hungry n ] the time it is difficult for
them to listen. Their thoughts run to
what, in Japanese, would be called
"Heso motto no shian," which means
'The thoughts cluster at the base OF the
navel" They have the home market,
but all arc poor together, and it is OF no
use TO them. The minds of the people are
darkened by idolatry, and the poor
farmer Is grOunQ INTO Ine art. nc CALI
not eat the eggs his one or TWO hens lay;
he can scarcely eat any of the rice he
raises. He knows less than the ass or he
would kick.
Tell us not that japan has the single
tax. She taxes industry she has had pro-
lection for hundreds of years, and she is
today, with many unused natural resOur
ces, the poorest OF nations.
The single tax, as the New York Times
says, rests on irrefragable logic. 1t brings
one great branch of learning into harmony
with the sermon on the Mount. 1t is as
much moral and religious question as
the freeing of the slaves was, or as the
temperance question is today. To resist
it is to my mind TO resist an ordinance of
God. Yet people do not study. Ii they
would study progress and Poverty" they
would get a clear view of the doctrine.
Happy will be the day for the farmer
when the single tax goes into effect.
The above will show that Japan is not
under the single tax. i could write more
about the labor problem in this country,
but l desist. The wild land of this en-
pire is OF great value. 1t would be better
to let the people use it than to leave it to
the fox and the wolf, would it not?
Shonai, Japan, CHARLES L. GARsT.
Nov I 1890