The independent., 1903-06-18
REPLIES TO FERGUSON.

enjoy the whole product.
REPLIES TO FERGUSON.
Editor Independent: e. w. Fergu-
son, jr., has wrought havoc CD in
the single tax ranks by his pungent
t?) criticisms of their philosophy, as
printed in the last issue of The In
dependent.
With seven-tenths of the most pro-
ductive land held out of use by spec
ulators, or in the support of monop-
oily, is it any wonder that "the least
productive land in use will barely sus-
tain the animal wants?" Now, then.
do we but make this seven-tenths ac-
cessible, by taxing away it's specula-
tive value, the rent line" will come
away up and sit down, in the lap OF
luxury" This would indeed "reduce
the farmer" to the condition of
"metayers or cottiers." To go farthe:
and remove the taxes that now ham
per trade and industry, taking values
that the people collectively create to
pay the bills that the people collec-
lively contract, we will, according to
Mr.. Ferguson, accomplish what gen.
erations of misrule has not quite ac-
complished." 'The backbone of the
nation will be broken" (when it
straighens up). Again, ''by reducing
the governmental expense" and "by
confiscating rent for governmental
purposes" thus creating wonderful
revenue, enabling nation, state and
municipality to get out of, and keep
out of. debt; we will thereby breed an
"ofFiceholding aristocracy," and make
long strike toward absolutism.''
1t is impossible to cope with such
logic. Furthermore, Mr.. Ferguson
points out that "unimproved values
are like Macbeth's dagger. There's
nc such thing" Evidently all our eff
forts to direct attention to that quail
ity as the proper object of taxation
are vain and childish. Finally, he
says, "the people will continue the
vicious in power" and such an "arbi-
trary institution as a government that
insures equal rights to all and spe-
cial privileges to none," with an equit-
able and natural system of taxation, is
rot what Mr.. Ferguson wants, he has
"a model government" scheme of his
own.
With compliments to Harrington,
Neb. e. %. BAILEY.
Central City, Colo.
Draining a frog-pond near a town
will improve sanitary. conditions, but
will it in the town raise wages or
rent?
SUGGESTIONS FROM A sUBUR-
BANITE.
II have complaint to make,' sail
to my friend, city official. an
rainy weather our sidewalk is so deep
under water that there is no using it
1T is impossible" he replied, ito
keep the suburbs in proper condition,
scattered as they are over such large
territory. If it We're not for land
speculation, the suburban homes of a
city would be clustered. close about
and repairs could be made much more
economically than at present.
Would not houses be cheaper for
the same reason? Good roads and
short distances make home-building
easier.
My neighbor's house is almost en-
tlrely surrounded by vacant land,
which, though an attractive and con-
venient site for residences, is planted
every year to potatoes and corn. To
reach his home from the city. he
passes number of similar holdings,
but he little thinks that, for the
profit of this vacant lot industry"
his daily ride is prolonged and the ex-
pense of his house and lot increased.
Il have read Progress and Power
ty," he said, one day, "but l see no
evidences of land monopoly"
The vexations of the suburbanite are
never-failing source of amusement,
but even the man who wheels a baby
carriage is less pitiable than he who
does not recognize the active signs
of that greatest curse to civilization
land monopoly.
The advertisement of a real estate