Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1898-10-15
The Single Tax Fa1lacy.

the fusion combination in tho state
of Washington is the single tax
plank of the joint platform adopted
at Ellensburg. All the fusion
papers and bach of their speakers
thunder vehemently against the re-
publican platform which opposes a
constitutional amendment provid-
ing for the exemption of all classes
of property except land. They say
that in this opposition the republi
can party exhibits its unfrisndli-
ness to tho poor man-the small
taxpayer-and it's subserviency to
the money power and the land
barons.
Figures don't lie, even if the fig
urers do. The best answer to this
fallacious charge against republi-
canism is in itself the strongest ar
raignment of the wisdom of the
gentlemen who desire to put all the
burden of taxation upon land val
ues alone.
Theories are easily formulated,
and once formed can theoretically
be proven correct with equal ease.
The single tax propaganda has such
theory-plausibly appealing to
what men are pleased to call their
reason, and apparently destined to
relieve the shoulders of the poorly
paid toiler from their tax burdens,
and put those burdens upon those
better able to bear them. Land
ownership by individuals, the single
taxer says, is a crime. The land is
a common heritage of all humanity.
Its occupancy by an individual is
privilege granted by the whole peo-
pie, and for which the occupier
should pay rental to his fellow
herit0rs. This rental could most
easily be collected in the shape of
tax, and the aggregate of the
taxes thus paid should be sufficient
to provide for all expenses of gov
eminent. This is certainly fair
statement of the position taken by
the fusion party in its platform,
which advocates the adoption of
the constitutional amendment to
be oted on in November, and
which adopted and carried out,
would furnish the first foothold by
which the single tax theory could
be fastened upon our state-become
part and parcel of our system of
revenue and taxation.
That the truth of governmental
theories are always provable by
practical illustrations (provided
they are true) is automatic. The
single tax party in this state should
certainly be willing to submit to
this test of the truth or falsity of
it's charge that the republican party
in opposing the single tax is at
tempting to favor the money power
as opposed to the laboring classes,
and the truth or fGlsity of it's claim
that in advocating the adoption of
a single tax amendment to the con-
stitution, it is showing especial
friendship for the farmer and me-
chanic. All the material is at hand
for a convincing illustration.
The report of the state board of
equalization, which body completed
its labors for the year 1898 only a
few weeks ago, shows that the as
sessed valuation of all property in
this state is $218,094, 7O2. The total
assessed valuation of all the lands
without improvements 1927 ,648,-
922, and the assessed valuation Of
all improvements on land, all per-
sonal property, and the railroad
tracks within the state is $780, 45,-
78O. Land values make up So per
cent of the assessment roll, and all
other classes of taxable property Al
per cent.
The single tax theory in short is
that we shall drop the Al per cent
value of taxable property, leaving
the 50 per cent land values to pay
all the taxes. How would it work?
Let us see. The state board ofequal-
ization decided that for all state
purposes the several counties should
pay an aggregate of 1914 ,789, while
for school purposes the counties
should pay $590,1S9-a total state
tax of $1,l34,978. Under the ex-
listing system of taxation and rev.
enue this will compel levy for all