The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-11-12

CURED TO sigh.
In becoming q member of the Seattle
Single Tax Organization hereby promise
to firmly adhere 10 the declaration OF prin-
ciples hereto attached, and to use all hon
orable means within my power to secure
the adoption of those principles in the
constitution and statutes of the state of
Washington.
I'VE assert as our fundamental principle
the self-evident truth enunciated in the
Declaration of American Independence.
tfat all men are created equal and are en-
dowed by their Creator with certain In
alienahle rights.
Two hold that all men are equally en-
titled to the use and enjoyment of what
God has created and of what Is gained by
the general growth and Improvement of
the community of which they are q part.
Therefore. no one should be permitted TO
hold natural opportunities without fair
return to all for any special privilege thus
accorded to him, and that that value
which the growth and improvement of
the community attaches TO land should be
taken for the use of the community: that
each u entitled to all that his labor pro-
duces; therefore. no tax should be levied
on the products of labor.
ITO carry out these principles we are In
favor OF raising all public revenues for
state. county and municipal purposes by
a single tax upon land values. irrespective
Of improvements. and all the obligations
Of all forms OF direct and indirect taxa
ton
"Since in all our states we now levy
some tax on the value Of land, the single
tax can be instituted by the simple and
easy way OF abolishing. one after another.
all other taxes now levied. and com men,
surateIy increasing the tax on land values
until we draw upon that one source for
all expenses of government
THE single tax would:
"First-Take the weight of taxation off
the agricultural districts. where land has
little or no value irrespective of improve
ments, and put II on towns and cities
where bare land rises to value OF mill
ions OF dollars per acre.
"Second-Dispense with a multiplicity Of
taxes and a horde OF tax-gatherers, SIM
plify government and greatly reduce .ts
cost.
"rhird-Do away with the fraud. cor
ruption and gross inequality inseparabie
from our present methods of taxation,
which allow the rich to escape while they
grind the poor.
"Fourth-It would. by taking that value
which attaches to land by reason OF the
growth and Improvement OF tho commu-
nifty make the holding Of land unprofft-
able to the mere owner and profitable only
to the user. II would thus make II i'm
possible for spectators and monopolists
TO hold natural opportunities unused or
only half used, and would throw open to
labor the iliimitable field Of employment
which the earth offers TO man. II would
thus solve the labor problem, do away
with involuntary poverty. raise wages In
all occupations to the full earnings OF la
Dor, make overproduction impossible until
ali human wants are satisfied. render
lahor-savfns inventions a blessing to all,
ana cause such an enormous production
ana such an equitable distribution Of
wealth as would give TO all comfort. leis-
ure and participation In the advantages
or an advancing civilization.
With respect to mo1orolies other than
monopoly OF land we hold that when free
competition becomes impossible. as in tel
egraph, railroads, water and gas supplies.
etc. such businesses become a proner So
ciai function. which should be controlled
and managed by and for the whole peo-
PIE concerned through their proper gov
eminent. local. state or national"
The propaganda committee rs composed
OF E. w. Way r. T. Moves, III. w. Stein
Thomas Navin. Lee MeIluer Sam Archer
II. b. Drees, A. n. Biain. r. s. southara
Richard Winsor, Clark Davis. w. r. For.
roster. Alexander Mcdonald. n. "
Thompson and J. l.. Barrie.