The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1904-09-01
The Philosophy of Freedom
SINGLE TAX AND NATURAL LAW.
An Open Forum for Single Takers

SINGLE TAX AND NATURAL Law
Editor Independent: Where popula-
ton settles to farm and manufacture
the necessity of public revenue arises
and only then does an exchangeable
value attach to land. Nearly all land,
always and everywhere, has utility,
but not necessarily value. The value
of land is unearned by the owner.
The value Of labor products is earned
by the producer. Each child, as well
as grown person, adds about $40 per
annum to land values; but only in
case they settle and farm or manufac-
ture, because if they lived nomadic
life no land values would arise and
none would be needed, as no public
expense would be necessitated.
Land values and public expense are
always found together and in about
the same quantity, and our common
sense dictates that we pay the one
with the other" Land values provid-
ing an abundance for all public rev.
enues (for natural law makes no mis-
takes) it is plain that taxation OF la
Dor and labor products would be rob-
berry The reason now for taxing
thrift is because the state fails to
take all it's own revenues. Only this
unearned land value belongs to the
state; all other values belong to labor;
and none Of them should be rem
dered to Caesar"
The single tax does two things: 1t
takes this unearned value for all pub
Iii cdues and abolishes all taxes on
thrift No one could afford to hold
more land than he could put to it's
best use. All valuable unused land
would be thrown on the market. There
is an abundance of such land but SO
much is held idle because our present
method of taxation takes but a frac-
tiOn of the annual value of land, in
stead OF 100 per cent of it, thus leaving
large margin for speculation, that
valuable land is made artificially
scarce.
! Now, to adopt this common sense
plan OF raising public revenue which
would give to anyone all the valuable
land he could put to good use and
his yearly tax receipt showing that
he had paid society for the exclusive
possession of his land, would be the
best title to land ever given to an in
dividual. Possession would be perpet-
ual, SO long as the yearly tax was
paid. The Great Creator Of the uni
verse could give no better title The
fact is. it is His title, because We
would be following His natural order
in getting the title. To give any other
title He would have to rob some and
give to others. That is what our pres
ent taxing system does and what we
single takers are trying to eliminate
from our statute books.
The good which the single tax would
accomplish, is beyond calculation. The
advantage to the human race to be
able to get all the valuable land they
needed, and for each individual to get
all he produced, can be computed only
by the Great Creator, who has given us
common sense rule by which to raise
public revenues without robbing any
one to do it.
II agreed on natural law, let us in
vestigate for truth. The fact that
government takes ground rent for
taxes does not make a man a renter
any more than paying his taxes does
uhNNA Liz pi CcCAl oyStCll, WueTe OILY
part Of ground rent is taken How
could the public appropriation of a
public fund constitute the government,
landlord oppressor? When govern.
ment fails to collect the fund, but per.
mits certain individuals to appropriate
what belongs equally to all, then gov.
ernment becomes an oppressor through
cOnnivance and robbery. When gov.
eminent takes what belongs to the in.
dividual it commits direct robbery
The only excuse for such conduc
would be the necessities of war. Wher
all could get all the valuable lane
they wanted to use the fear OF povert,
would vanish, and the desire for tn,
esteem OF our fellows would dominat,
us. bringing about condition whei
war and other crimes would disappear
G. II. POWER.
Fayette City. Pa.