New-York tribune., 1909-06-14
BEARING ON RISE IN LAND VALUES.
Plea That City and It's Workers Be Bere-
feiaries Rather than Favored Few.

To the Editor of The Tribune
Sir: I note in of city papers suggestions
made by the secretary Of the Committee on Con
geston of Population To the need Of commits
sion to investigate the problems Of land specula
ton and land profits" At present land values are
being exploited and the unearned increment Is
being absorbed by the few to the loss OF the rent
payers among our poorer wage earners that the
community has a right to demand just such an in
vestigation that the truth may be known and all
classes learn just how they affected by III fit
ting economical conditions.
Is It not full time our people TO understand
clearly that while it may appear that the burdens
of government borne by the pTopertied classes.
the taxes really are shifted until according to the
laws of incidence of taxation, the burden hnalV
rests in most instances upon those who apparently
pay no taxes but who actually do pay through in
creased rents and cost of commodities? So, un-
fortunately. the workingman secs no benefit to be
derived from q economical city administra-
ton. but much to be gained from increased city
expenditures high salaries and higher wages, all
Of which he feels. increase the demand for labor.
He does not see the matter in its true light
note that in Rio de Janero the authorities are
now having thousands OF model tenements built,
rents TO be from s. - to S24 month Why may We
not deal Just as fairly with the people OF our
slums?
Frankfort Germany during the last ten years
has purchased sixteen thousand of land at the
cost of Ave millions of money. Instead OF allowing
land owners to become rich through the growth OF
town. When Signs OF btoNbH d4S N4S''''S 'i'o
municipality steps in and buys the surrounding
land so that the town gets the benefit Instead OF
the individual
We have in this city fully twelve thousand
tenernents without any adequate light ventila-
+ioD Our tenement laws should be amended and
our uresent lack of coordination in our several
CITY departments should be corrected. in Germany
from 80 TO 70 per cent only of the area OF site
is allowed 10 be covered by building, while here
II is % per cent on a and 20 per cent on
an interior lot for tenements, and 100 per cent on
a corner lot and 30 per interior lot for
other buildings.
The city gains through better conditions in the
sI,rns by its easier and more effective policing
and resulting benefit the entire community
The writer tested this point when he was shown
b,, the Commissioner of Public Works of Liver
rool IFS improved municipal tenements. We re-
ceive' he said, IAN income in the ease with
which we can now care for and control a dis
trlct which for scores Of years was Verltab'e
IIell's Kitchen
Theodore Roosevelt, when President urged
strongly upon our people the necessity FOR con-
servation Of our resources. and so not 10 degrade
the standard of living and prevent freedom OF op-
uortunity for every citizen. NO man. SAID me-
..sbould be allowed to play the game Of compeu-
ton with loaded dice; when there is a reasonable
equality opportunity the distribution OF re"aruS
VIII take care of itself" Do in New York give
such an opportunity 10 our poorer classes IN 'he
tenement districts?
JOSIAH c. PUMPEIL.Y.
New York June s, 1903