The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1904-08-18
SINGLE TAX AND WAGES.


made by socialists that private own
>efnship of capital makes wage slaves
out OF the workers IS wholly without
foundation.
Why do men work for slave wages?
The reason for this is obvious. Under
present conditions the worker must
other accept the wages that land
monopoly dictates or starve. There
is no other course open to him.
But why is the worker helpless :?
Why must he accept slave wages?
This is because all natural opportun-
tiles of the worker to employ himself
are denied him. His independence
and freedom are destroyed when land
speculation succeeds in locking UP the
last acre Of free land
Even the father of socialism, Karl
Marx, in Capital in an illustration
showing how free or cheap land bene-
fits labor proves the contention of the
single takers that their reform would
raise wages and make work for all:
AN English manufacturer took a
ship load of workmen with their FAM
lilies and the necessary machinery to
South America, reasoning that with
free site for his factory and the
raw material at hand he could manu-
facture his goods very cheaply and UNI
derSell all competitors in the markets
Of the world. He promised his en-
ployes steady work and increased
wages. Before the factory or the
workmen's claims were completed
news reached the people that in the
interior good land could be had from
the government free of cost. One
after another the workmen deserted
their employer and took up home
Steads of their own. Finding it inn
possible to build and operate his fac
tory where labor was free to employ
itself he moved back to England"
This clearly disposes the contention
OF the socialist that the private own
ership of machinery and tools en-
slaves the worker. Had Karl Marx
seen the way to free the land from
spectators, which Henry George
points out in Progress and Poverty"
he surely would not have advocated
this senseless, unnatural and illogical
doctrine called socialism. Now, a few
words to the worker: Form labor
organizations all you can but do this
not for the purpose of harassing your
employer by masterful strikes. Wages
can not be raised that way. If there
is any striking to be done do it at
the ballot box 1t will have more eff
feet Make united demand q ,tur
poiitieian-it matters not what La:ty
he belongs to Ter the following:
1. The abolition of all personal
property taxes.
z. ne abolition of all licenses.
5. The abolition of all tariff taxes.
4. The collection of all revenue
from land values by the single tax
Your politician will grant your de-
mand if you can assure him that his
polltical head will come off if he does
not heed YOU He will do anything for
you if his job depends on your votes.
For Job is what he wants, princi-
Lies do not exist for the average poll
tieian. The adoption of the single tax
will better the conditions of the work.
er:
l. II will restore to him his lost
freedom and independence by throw
iug cren to him every foot OF idle
larI now held by spectators.
2. it will increase his purchasing
power, because his wages will then
buy goods where they now buy most
j. licerse and tariff taxes.
{. II will enable him to get home
OF his cwn for himself and family,
which. ebay is almost impossible for
the a,eiage worker
4. The constant fear of losing his
jol wa.oh today hangs over his head
like the sword of Damocles. would be
removed For nature has provided
jcbs for all. Free land means free
men. p. CULLMAN, JR.
Chicago, H.