The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-01-13

plished through a policy OF restriction. or
by an attempt to patch up our WORKOUT
system OF taxation. a system which has
made Us nation OF liars. and the spon-
sors Of which refuse to carry TO its logical
conclusions. Single takers believe that
Henry George has given 70 mankind
great. living truth to guide the Industrial
world, through a well-deyeloped and sim
pie system Of taxation. The essence OF this
doctrine is briefly outlined in what fol-
lows:
The Factors of Production.
There are three factors in the produc-
tion OF wealth-laad. la Dor and capital. IL
capital is produced by the application OF la
Dor to land. we can readily see that the two
essential factors In the production Of
wealth are land and labor.
AS In the first instance all wealth is pro-
duced by. labor applied TO land. it neces-
sariiy follows that any obstruction placed
ton.
We hold that private ownership of land,
when has led to the monopoly of all pro-
ductive land. is primarily responsible for
the evils that grow out of decreased pro-
duction.
Land is product of nature. To quote
Henry George: Nature acknowledges no
ownership or control in man save as a re-
suit OF his own exertion. All men to her
stand upon an equal footing and have equal
rights. Hence as nature gives only to la
Dor, the exertion Of labor in production is
the only title TO exclusive possession.
Thus. IL man take a fish from the
that fish, which exclusive right he may
transfer by sale or gift. But he cannot OBJ
tain similar right Of property in the
o eorhia 80 mat ne may sell 1t or give 1t or
Or. If he set up windmill, he acquires
a right OF property in the things such use
cannot claim right of property in the
WIND Itself, so that he may sell 1t or forbid
others to use ii.
:" Or. IL he cultivate grain, he acquires a
right OF property in the grain his labor
brings forth But he cannot obtain a SIM
liar right of property in the sun which
We do not propose to assert equal
rights to land by keeping land in common,
, tinn any one use any part OF 1t at any
We propose leaving land In the private
possession of individuals. with fun liberty
on their part to give: sell or bequeath it.
that shall equal the annual value of the
land Itself, irrespective OF the use made of
y or the improvements on. It, And since
this would provide amply for the need OF
public revenues, we would accompany this
tax on land values with the repeal OF all
taxes now levied on the. products and pro-
take from the earnings OF labor we hold
10 be arrangements of the right of prop
The Single Tax.
we hold that this system OF taxation
would be equitable, All would then con-
tribute-not according to what they pro-
duce or consume. but according to the
value Of the special privilege they enjoyed,
the earth
II, would be practical Unlike the pres
rnt system aao tax on land values could
II cannot be. carried off or hidden. It's
value is easily ascertained. The expense
or assessing and collecting this tax would
10 n n r.I xx-;.f-
system.
1T would be Just. Land values are ere
ated by the presence and industry OF the
people as a whole. and not by the effort
OF an individual working alone The
value OF land and the necessity for govern
m md an are both The results Of population;
pay the cost OF organized government.
Franchise Values.
AS the franchise value or value of
rish,-of-way Of railroads and street rail-
WAYS. gas telephone. telegraph and water
plants are purely land values. the single
tax would tax these values and exesn ut
the improvements.
'As such plants are bonded largely in
excess of the actual cost and as such ex-
cess OF bonds represents the franchise or
land value. his system would greatly IN
crease the taxes assessed against such
corporations In short ii would practi-
caIll squeeze the water out of bonds. and
reduce such enterprises TO legitimate in
yes;merfs
olies should he owned and operated by the
Ssata or Washington or municipalities we
hold that until they are so owned they
should De taxed az we propose.
The Law of Rent.
"Rent Of land is determined by the ex-
cess of us produce over that ot the poor
est land In use. AS ths single tax would
make II Improbable to hold land ont Of
use. and, as. only about one-tenth OF pro-
ductve land Is now pat 20 its best use.
end as all unused productive land Is now
held out OF use for speculative purposes,
thereby forcing The poorest land Into use.
the effect Of the single tax would raise
the rent lima and IN doing would re-
duce the rent Of the best land.
As the rent Of land ia determined by the
excess OF its produce over that which
tho same application can secure from the
poorest land In use. i ;hen follows hat
produced on the poorest land in use.
We hold that wages will increase in
proportion as the rent line is raised, for
lard outside OF the rent line would corn
mand no rent aud the fun product would
go - the producer
Profits to capital engaged in legitimate
business are determined nv the Same law.
by what capital can produce en- the poorest
land In use. therefore a rise IN the rent
line would increase proats.
Although the single tax stands for sys-
tenn Of taxation, 10 IS not proposed merely
as sgCh. Its prime purpose * 80 place the
use ~ natural opportunities on q basis 81
eQusJE-3o free the land from MONOPOLY
ard give labor access 20 the h0untIes OF
nature. This will solve The labor problem
after which other problems will be easier
~ solution. We believe that the benefits
that naturally attach 70 any reform Will
lie a mos; wholly lost taking humanity as
a whole until the land ana labor question
j. eGuitahly adjusted
The application ~ the single tax will
bring . ho0t this adjustment.
a candid s0GsiasTsft cn OF the claims Of
this address IS asked OF the citizens 81
Washington believing that ail are inter-
t~te4} Ia :he general prosperity % tire state
and anxious that her citizens as tndtvfi-
pals shall become and refnala prosper
os<s 40 matter how widely separated We
may be on Guest Ions Of religion cf politics
Prosperity is attained through an abnn-
daut production and an equitable tilStrfhu-
tion ~ wealth. ard this condition Will pre-
vail when every honest industrious tssr-
son has ample opportunity TO work and the
freedom 10 exchange products
''T'1oSe who desire 10 study this question.
or wish Information regarding lecturers.
literature etc. are requested 20 address
the secretary.
~ = SOUTHARD. President.
III. r. DREES. Secretary. Box sal Sc
attic. Wash"
For the purpose o. removing horses
from burning buildings, new fire mask
has been placed on the market. consisting
az hood 20 cover the eyes and nustrtis IN
prevent tire horse from seeing the hre or
smelling fhe smoke the device being as