The Washington times., 1894-05-18
BENEFITS OF A SINGLE TAX
Labor Commissioners Listen to DR..
Longstreet and Mr.. RalstOn.
EXISTING EXAMPLES ARE CITED
Fremderstadt and Its Royalty on Natural Re-
sources-New Zealand and the Single Tax
Application of tho System in Hyattsville-
Methods Of Investigation.

The commissioners of labor OF the several
Baltimore Sun building, were addressed yes
terday morning by DR.. B. F. Longstreet and
j. H. Ralston upon facts showing the advan-
tage of the single tax system and methods OF
investigating such advantages.
DIR. Longstreet stated that the golden age
OF labor in England followed as the direct re-
suit of the destruction of land values, brought
about by the 'black death" in England in
1S47. He illustrated the partial working OF
the single tax by the happy condition OF af-
fairs in Fremdenstadt, where royalties upon
the use of the national sources OF wealth
more than paid all taxes. Similar results
were obtained from like causes in Spanish
town. The speaker called attention to New
Zealand, as Offering the most recent and ia
vorable development of the single tax idea,
where the labor question consisted In finding
men to do work, and ''Coxey armies" were
by this system rendered unknown.
Mr.. Ralston followed by showing the effect
q local application of the single tax in Hyatts-
vile upon large and small holders. In
answer to questions he pointed out that ex-
cessive rental and selling price Of land and
speculation III tLcieNitu Nao t'io
efficient cause of the present industrial de-
preston by the burdens forced upon indus
try. He also indicated a course OF inquiry
by which these facts could be developed.
In answer to further inquiries Mr.. Ralston
suggested as q subject of investigation the
division of property ior assessment into the
three classes of land, improvements and per-
sonal property, with the present rate OF as
sessment, followed by an estimate OF the rate
of taxation on land only necessary to raise
the same revenue, and the effects to result
therefrom upon different classes of owners.
A motion was made to invite Hons. Tom l..
Johnson and ]. G. Mcguire to continue the
discussion this morning. Owing to the ad-
iournment of the convention. to take place to-
day, the motion was withdrawn.
The election of officers, which WAS sus-
pended Wednesday, pending the arrival OF
other delegates. was continued. and resulted
as follows: First vice president. b. X. Lacy,
North Carolina: second vice president, George
W. Waits, Of California. and members OF the
executive committee, Horace G. Wadlin, OF
Massachusetts,: 4. B. Howard, ir., OF Mary
land. and Charles Il. Morse, OF Michigan.
The reading of individual reports was then
resumed. A communication was received
from Commissioner McGGnn. of Connecticut.
asking that the convention furnish the labor
bureau Of his state with statistics showing
how many skilled tradesmen had been forced
into unskilled trades by competition.
The proposition of Commissioner Simmer
man. of New Jersey relating to the printing |
of detail tables was taken up for discussion. |
as was the question OF providing the penalties
for the failure of manufacturers 10 make |
statistical returns when requested by labor
bureaus. Commissioner Wadlin presented |
his view of the matter, and the session ad- |
journed to take up these questions as uniln- |
ished business this morning.