The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1893-12-15
Free Competition.

The MIDLAND JOURNAL. took occasion
few weeks ago to critcise the contents of
paper read by Mr.. w. E. Brokaw before
the Single Tax Congress, at Chicago, in
which he advocated government possession
of railroads, but the free tracks we're 20 be
allowed to any and all who chose to put
cars on them. If the government should
assume entire management of the railroad
lines as it does the mails Mr.. Brokaw
assumes that would be ''infringing upon the
equal freedom Of individuals"
The article has brought shower of letters
from the letter writing corps of the single
tax propaganda. for the purpose of enlight-
ening the editor on the subject. While we
greatly admire the zeal of our single tax
friends, and appreciate the compliment of
their solicitude, their efforts were wasted, as
we are thoroughly conversant with the
single tax theory and would like TO help
put il in practice. 1t would prove by all
odds, we doubt not, the best system ever
tried, but il is impossible that all the results
its jealous disciples claim for it could be
realized.
Our friends kind letters are all kinder
garten to us. We are familiar with the
works of the best writers on the subject and
receive the single tax publications among
our exchanges, and read them too. We
notice our kindly correspondents do not
attempt to answer our objections TO Mr..
Brokaw's paper. We do not question the
soundness of the single tax doctrine, but we
do question the extravagant results its too
enthusiastic friends claim
They appear determined to find full
salvation in the single tax for every ill life
is subject to, or perish. There is another
lord more powerful than the land lord,
which is the moneylord. Whoever owns, or
rather, controls the money, controls the
pc ople and the land of the country.
Society as at present organized is game
of euchre, with money and land as its
right and left bowers. Money, being the
right bower. is master of the pack. The
left bower is not only subject to it, but king,
queen and all the common folks from ace to
ten spot must how before its sceptre.
We hold that money is far superior TO
land in its influence upon civilization.
Without money ii would be impossible to
maintain civilization. With money in
control of class the masses are made
servants and cease to be ireemen. With
man in his barbarous condition land has no
value Deprive the people of money and
give them all the land in the world and
they will never rise above the beast of the
!, fields, except 10 compass each others
destruction.
Money then being so important factor
in civilization we hold that the privilege to
corner money and exact heavy rent of the
user, is equal-aye, more oppressive in its
effects on the bread winner, than the rent on
land. Neither of these unearned increments
should be allowed TO go into the pockets of
a privileged class. Through the aggrega-
ton of capital by money held out of its
proper use the great trusts are created, not
by the monopoly of land rent. They are
the ripe fruits OF competition. Our single
tax friends fear if they admit this it may
possibly cut away the foundation of their
pet theory. We challenge denial however.
Their letters show that they haye but a
superficial knowledge of competition and
that they have not studied the question, yet
they attempt 10 teach others.
If they will lif, up their eyes from the
ground, extend their horizon and include
the rent Of money with the rent of land as
unearned increment which the government
should take, the single tax theory, or rather
system, will not be injured but greatly
strengthened. But to leave money as at
present, and as it always has been, in the
hands of moneyiords, the single tax would
fall far short of its mission or what is claim.
ed for it. The single tax would not touch
the usurer.
The public has as clear title to the use of
money as to the use of land. Money is made
by government for the use of the people and
it The governmentl should give all an
equal opportunity to use it as to use the
land. In place CT protecting the people it
permits lovored class to exact and pocket
rent from the industrial class for its use, lust
as it permits another class to exact and
pocket rent from them for the use of land.
If our single tax friends will lift their
eyes from the earth and study the money
question as earnestly as they haye the land
question they will be "a heap" wiser.
Horatio, there are more things in heaven
and earth than your philosophy ever dream
ed OF. 1t was not Mr.. Brokaw's single tax
doctrine the MIDLAND JOURNAL objected to,
but bis mischievous application of the prin-
ciple to save the chmera Of "ihe equal
freedom of the individual"
Mr.. W. Morphy, Des Mones, Iowa.
makes timely suggestion to single takers
in The Courier of Nov. 80, which is that
they would help their cause if they would
study the money question in connection
with the oingle tag question. That they
are lamentably ignorant On this subject from
| Henry George down is painful fact all
their writings prove, and their attempt to
ignore it or high horse does not gain them
respect among las keen students of political