The herald., 1895-03-18
Georgian Tax Theory Expounded
by Mr.. Post
BRIGHT AND WITTY LECTURE
Social Events and NOtables at the
Hotel Green
Events Of a Day at the Crown OF the
Valiey-A Beneficent Downpour Of
Rain 0laddens the Earth

Pasadena, March 17.-Louis +. Post of
New York, the leading exponent of the
Henry George theory of single taxation,
spoke to a large audience in G. A. r.
Hall last evening, under the auspices Of
the Single Tax Club of this city. Mr.. Post
is remarkably bright and witty speaker,
and followed out his course Of reasoning
with mathematical accuracy. By way Of
illustrating his problems in political
economy he used series of charts which
were OF great assistance in clearly bring
ing out the ideas.
1.-The idea of the single tax, said Mr..
Post, ''is to abolish all manner of tax ex-
cept one. AT present we have direct taxes
upon improvements and personal proper
ty. The single tax would do away with
all this, and leave but one tax, and that
on land. The result of such change in
the tax law would become apparent at
once. Poor buildings which are at pres
ent occupying good grounds would be re-
placed by good structures. Vacant lots in
the center of our cities would disappear,
and people would not be driven miles out
into the suburbs. The Single tax is prac-
teal from the fact that the value of real
estate is fixed, and there would be no in
justice to any one. Any real estate man
can tell you the value OF a vacant lot, but
they cannot tell the value of improve
ments and personal property. The ques-
ton has, however, deeper relation than
that of convenience as method of gath
ering together the tax. AT the root is the
claim of justice. The best test of its prac-
ticability is that it agrees with the great
laws which God has laid down of order
and Justice.
COLLECTIONS are raised to the tax upon
tho ola m that tha ipnnrnypmpnfc do
rived all the benefit from the taxation
in the way of street improvement, light
ing etc. Such is not the case. Take, for
example, man leasing a lot to build
upon. The owner charges him more Tor
the lease in a city which offers first class
he finds that his building is taxed and
for the same purpose. Here is q case of
double taxation which is obviously I'M
just. Good government and improve
ments increase the value OF the entire
land in community. The idea that a
man should be taxed more because he is
rich is wrong. The income tax is based
on this principle, but is out of harmony
with justice.
''Niolation of the national laws Of tax
alton bring on diseased social condition
causing greed crime, hard times and a
thousand other ills. The single tax if once
in operation, would put an end to the
pTeStHJ lulSeTdDle cOIlulblOu VI dlldlTs. LII
would enable a man to make himself
reasonably rich without making other
men poor; something which cannot be
done under the present system.
Hard times is when the middle classes
are ,cramped. 1t is always hard times
with the poorer classes, We say, that
hard times is lack of work or lack of bust
ness. 1t is neither. If a man had all he
wanted to eat and wear he would not
worry because he did not have work.
The real thing is an extraordinary diff
Guilty in securing food and clothing. The
necessary things to the production OF
these articles or any form of wealth are
man and land. Let either be controlled
and the party controlling can exact an
unjust share from the producer. Aou
may either own the man or. the land; the
result is the same. Both are necessary,
one cannot work without the other. Man
or labor was first owned, but now, the
same results are accomplished by control
ling the land. ~
There was once a man who was cast
upon an island in mid-ocean, with not
even shirt on his back. Here he lived
for some time very nicely on what he was
able to find growing. 1t CHANGED, how
ever, that another man became wrecked
and also landed on the island. AS he was
climbing up the rocks number one APP
peared and informed him that he must be
slave if he stayed on this island. This
number two decidedly objected to, as he
was from the United States, where they
did not have slaves. Number one agreed
that this was reasonable, and instead of
making number two a slave, set up a
claim to the ownership of the lslano be-
cause he had found it. This the other
man decided was good United States
title.
Zone morning man number one did not
want to get up, so he told the other fel-
low to get out, kill bird and cook it.
Number two objected unless he should be
compensated, whereupon number one
offered him the gizzard. Number two
was wrathy and struck. He wantd more.
Number one arose in indignation. Here
was gratitude for you. He had taken
this man in and given him work; now
he was striking for higher wages. Very
well, number two was a free man and
could do exactly as he pleased, but if he
quit work he couldn't have him laying
around, and he would have to get off the
island. Number two was good union