Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1897-08-26
FREELAND, PA, AUGUST 20, 1897


In seeking Q remedy for the social ills
which beset Pennsylvania, a correspon-
dent writes to the Philadelphia Times in
advocacy of proposition to induce a
large number of the people to migrate
to Alabama or somewhere else, taking
the view that the population is now too
large for all to secure sustenance. The
correspondent is a Mr.. Thompson, who
appears to be actuated by benevolent
motives, but his proposition is not APP
! proved of by all, as the following reply to
it by another correspondent, Harold
Suddell goes to prove:
'Mr Thompson'S suggestion that the
benevolent people of Pennsylvania re-
move some of the surplus aud idle popu-
latiOn of their state to the fertile and
cheap land in Alabama would be wise
one if there were any real congestion of
population in the Keystone state. But
surely no reasonable man claims that
the resources of Pennsylvania are fully
developed and that the state could not
easily support much larger population
than it now boasts. What is really
needed is not transfer of population,
but removal of the barriers which pre-
vent access to the natural opportunities
with which the state is so richly blessed.
A rational system of taxation, which
would leave untouched enterprise of all
| kinds and which would fall heavily on
| the holder of unused natural advantages
Ga reversal of our present absurd syStem)
would do more for the general good of
the people of Pennsylvania than the re-
moval of twenty-five per cent of her
present population.
1.-The possibilities of such a system of
taxation are family outlined by the re
suits of the direct tax on land values
levied in New Zealand. There, some
six years ago, the people found that the
pick of the land in the country had
been monopolzed by spectators, so
that the colony languished To remedy
this, light tax on land values was
levied and the result was that during
the time when the business depression
in Australia and this country was at its
worst there was steady improvement
in business in New Zealand and wages
rose in the face of heavy emigration
from Australia to her sister country
If the imposition of such a small ad-
ditional burden on the holders of unused
land, with its consequent tightening OF
the taxes on the holders of used land
has been followed by such marked
favorable results, who can measure the
beneficial effects which would flow from
a stronger dose Of this stimulating medi
cine?
'And so, before your benevolent Penn
sylvania people of means try the expert
ment of wholesale migration of popu.
lation, it might be well to test the
efficacy of the more simple and natura
remedy that the people of New IcaIanC
have found good. Or, if there must be
removal of population, | would suggest
as the proper persons for transportation
all the holders of unused natural oppor
tunities-coal lands. iron ore lands, oi
lands, city lots and farm lands, etc. Il
these persons were banished from youl
midst in such way as to leave theil
present holdings open to capital anf
labor, | am sure the relief experienced
would be Immediate and lasting,
Regarding New Zealand, | wouC
add that the good effect of the taX OF
land values was so apparent that the
last parliament, by large majority
passed an act giving all local bodies tin
option of raising their revenues by tax
ing land values and eYempting improve
ments altogether from taxation, whici
is much greater step than the origina
one in the direction Of natural taxation.