The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-03-11
The Voice OF
The People
A SINGLE TAX STORY

Smith Jones and Jones Smith loved each
other even as David and Jonathan ana
although Smith Jones was rich ana
ions Smith was in very moderate cir
cumstances. they purchased houseiots
side by stdg-fur- -s59e-esei47- eEeeted-thalr
dwellings and went TO housekeeping.
Now 70 retrace our steps little, Smith
Jones started 10 build a $1,000 house
which he could we'll afford, being well
10 do hut as his wife wished this ana
the other Improvement. the dwelling was
rot finished until s200o0 had been expen-
ded for the house and lot ana improve
ments.
Jones Smith, however. started IN Tor
n homestead TO cost 81, 600, but urged by
his better half he had expended 1900 for
lot and dwelling when he was fairly set
tied.
And the single taxer appeared also
among them and said TO Smith Jones,
the wealthy, you should go In lemons
for single land tax; for, TO. seest thou
not that thou oughtest not 10 pay tax
for improving thy property All thou
shouldst be taxed for is thy lot worth
$500 and were It even so thou wolIldst es-
cape taxes for sl9, 400; Yea, verify the tax
under the single land tax would be no
more than that OF thy nearest ne.ghbor.
Jones Smith: whereas, whatsoever.
whereby and provided, seest thou not
with one-half an optic that now thy tax
on $4,000 at sl.25 Is even $3.50 while Jones
Smith on his 1900 Is but SIS.
And So" commented Smith Jones.
thou wouldst have my taxes and those
OF my neighbor Jones Smith just aEke?'
Even so" answered the festive single
land taxer. "for so 1t must seem good In
thy sight"
mot by several lapsl" retorted Smith
Jones True | love wealth, and long
to add many thousands to my present
pile: but / had rather make II In some
other way than cheating my poorer fell
low citizens II I pay less somebody
must pay more especially my compari-
lively poor nelghbor Jones Smith, where
as his tax on his humble home. OF s25 Is
one OF the hardest bills he has to pay.
Verify, II is even so with nearly all those
who own humble cottages or modest two
family dwellings. while I. with nearly
four times his income, pay my taxes as
easily as the youth knew his paternal
sire"
IT don't think you quite understood
this matter" remarked the single land
taxer, land I will see you at some more
convenient season and explain its beau
ties"
That's right" replied Smith Jones,
his eyes flashing that's right! Come
when Jones Smith and / are together
and tell us what the poor have done that
you wish 10 make IL too hard for any
save the rich to own his own home. Yes,
sir, just explain to us both what grudge
you have against the wage earners OF
America that you so zealously endeavor
10 swindle them out OF their humble
homes by outrageous taxation and at the
same time discourage every family OF
limited means from purchasing lot on
which TO erect his home which would
prove such a blessing but for too much
land tax already by about one-half.
81 see that you do not understand the
subject" "Of course not! No man can
understand such an outrageous fraud
upon wage workers unless his heart
boasts. on the floor of the senate, that
he glories I'm shooting down the needy
wage Garner. Verify, thou talkest like
unto bunco man and would advise
thee, after all. not TO argufy with my
humble friend Jones Smith. for he may
be tempted TO give thee boot, flgurative-
~ speaking
Il see plainly that you misunderstood
u.s."
"Well. ! hope I do: but there are some
things / do understand. and that is that
land is already outrageously over taxed
while personal property. franchises and
various utilities escape from three
fourths To nine-tenths OF the just taxes
they ought 10 pay"
q not the single land taxer didn't make
n convert that day! Yet how are the COM
mon people swindled by such political
fads
ALEX S. ARNOLD.
Woonsocket. II. l., March ., 1903