New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-11-07

~@SNOOO ny men OF little eOuCd-
.loh' the Independent Labor party would no,
nave secured control of the Trades Union Con
sress ana diverted il for several years from
I4e genuine interests of the working world
A"ose DOCKS are not now read and discussed
among !aborlng people with the same interest
ana zeal Labor organization, rather than ma
uohallzatlon Of industries or the conversion OF
private property into a common stock for
equa4lzihg the conditions Of classes, is now con-
sloered the chief resource of the working world
safeguards, moreover, have been adopted in
nearly all provincial towns and in many metro
poiltan boroughs against the undue growth of
class discomfort and dnreasoning socialism. The
not SOIL which might promote the rapid develop
Hleht OF noxious socialism has been cooled and
scientifically treated. Whereas in Germany state
SOCIALISM has been boldly introduced in sys-
'eihauc measures for the naturalization of rail-
ways and telegraphs and for insuring workers
against accident, chronic ailments and physical
olsaolity, and for providing old age pensions in
Great Britain collectivism has been expert
mented with cautiously in provincial cities
"here there is unity in local government and
where centralized authority can be brought 10
bear upon the new conditions of rnunicipaI ad
nlnlstration. There have been many adapta-
uons OF the principles Of municipal ownership
ana trading, and the processes Of local govern
ihent during the last thirty years have disclosed
a soelalIstic trend. In this way socialism of a
crude and dangerous character has been fore
stalled and successfully INSTRUCTED.
An incident of the week illustrates the in
creasing power and expansive ambitions of these
municipal reformers. who have transformed the
conditions OF local government and improved the
environment of the working classes in Great
Britain. A conference attended by representa-
tives Of over one hundred and twenty municipal.
borough and urban district councils has been
held in London for the purpose of initiating a
movement for revolutionizing the system of local
taxation Neither the Crown nor Parliament au-
thorized this conference, but the corporation of
Glasgow. This is a large power of initiative for
provincial city, even if it be the second centre
OF population in the United Kingdom and if the
metropolis be chosen the meeting place for
the conference Lord Provost Chisholm, how
ever. made no apologies in taking the chair. but
thanked the delegates for their attendance and
briefly stated the conclusions which had been
reached in Glasgow respecting the expediency Of
taxing land values in addition TO rental values
Of occupied property. The delegates. after
animated debate, accepted the principle of an
enlarged basis of local taxation. and. after
slightly toning down one Of the resolutions, ap-
pointed committee 10 take charge of the move
ment for securing the requisite legislation The
changes recommended We're Of radical nature.
Local taxation in the United Kingdom is now
based upon the rental values OF occupied build
ings and lands. Neither ground rents nor unoc-
cupied lands are levied upon, and the special
assessment plan embodying the principle of bet
terment has not been adopted in local improve
rnents and enforced against property directly
benefited. The municipalities administered on
progressive lines have enlarged their functions
and made enormous investments in various en-
terprises and undertakings. which may ulti-
mately prove profitable and relieve the burdens
Of local taxation They are now committed by
this conference TO the policy Of widening the
area Of taxation that the cost Of all these ex-
periments and enterprises will not fall eXclu-
sively upon rental values and occupiers' but De
shared by landowners and ground rent land
lords. I am not concerned with the abstract
merits OF the principle of taxing land values
which from an American point Of view IS
wholly in accord with natural equity. am
merely laying stress upon striking illustration
OF the growth of the municipal movement. the
CORPORA tons and councils having wellnigh ex-
barsted their resources for taxation in various
forms OF municipal and borough trading. are now
taking measures for obtaining parliamentary
sanction for levies upon unbuilt and unim-
proved areas and ground rents and Tor speciai
assessments upon benefited property
Neither the conservative House Of Commons
charge in the system Of local taxation; nor Is
II certain that a majority OF the municipal ana
borougb councils can be rallied under the leao-
ershin Of Glasgow TO the support OF the proposed
measure The leading English journal has been
aronloved for months in a systematic ana Ia
borious attempt 10 discredit the results OF Hu-
n,cinal socialism and TO create public pre1udlce
against unrestrained collectvism- The taXatloh
NJ uninnproved land and ground rents, and the
,rt-oduction Of the betterment principle IN spe-
c,al assessments, cannot be brought about WIN
out prolonged and well directed agitation "hen
tber. is already a counter movement IN the d.
rec+ion Of limitations upon municipal borrowing
ard restrictions upon local enterprise the
anomalies OF exemption OF ground rents from
+axation and Of enriching landowners by I'M
movements charged against the whole oody OF
ratepayers are likely 70 remain so long as the
House OF Lords is q rock Of defence for those
.U,ho toll not neither do they spin Inc
rounicipal movement, however, has acquired 100
1,ea. an impulse TO be blocked and counteract-
"a Local government in its efficiency and in its
progressive character is the chief glory OF the
England Of to-day, and it is also the strongest
safeguard against crude and irrational schemes
OF naturalization OF industries and contscatlon
OF private property. l. n r
Rect SUGAR QUERIES IN PARLIAMENT.