The Washington times., 1909-12-04
POOR OF ENGLAND ROUSED TO ACTION
BY HOUSE OF LORDS DEFEAT OF BUDGET

ical arguments. for socialism. either
the word or the deed, Is manifestly un-
thinkable among gentlemen. Besides
the tax on land, there was in this
budget a raise IN the rates on inherit
as4,ss, o. death rates" as they term
this in England. And this arrayed
practically every wealthy man on the
side OF the landlords, whether they had
land or not.
The landlords proposed that instead Of
taxing lands and inheritances the prop
er way to raise revenue was TO put
duties on imports. Now Of course, as
we in America know, except during a
political campaign, there can be no tax
on imports which can be produced at
home without giving protection that
is a guarantee OF higher prices TO the
producer.
Want a Return.
So the proposal Of the landlords, was
that England go back to the protective
tariff policy which she abandoned in
1850. This, they declared, would not
only raise rlenteous money for the gov
eminent without FesOrting 20 this so
cialism" Of Mr.. Iloyd-George, but would
so stimulate the Industrial and CONNER
cial life that everybody would have
1
child IN the United Kingdom would
have three square meals every day, and
every Irishman would get forty acres
Of land and mule, or something like
that.
OF course, certain manufacturers and
financiers in the country We're easily in
terested IN this sort OF proposition. and
these with a few rich landlords raised
a large fund for the purpose Of carry
ing on tariff reform " propaganda.
They got possession Of several Of the
leading London dailies. employed some
Of the brightest talent In the land, and
proceeded TO conduct one of the most
vigorous and able campaigns ever CON
Of 100000 conspiracy you understand.
And these are the fellows who have
been making such q tremendous noise
In and about London that the world at
there needs for the complete overthrow
OF England's free trade policy is a
chance for the people to vote on IT,
Many people in the vicinity OF the cor
poration Of Westminster have the same
impression or have had, and this IN
part accounts for the action Of the
mouse Of lords. but the slow plOddlng,
practical, and judicial minded English
man sized I'D the situation in the be-
ginning as meaniuc that the landlords
and their allies proposed this tariff re-
form IN order TO keep from paying taxes
on their large estates. and they have
not ana VIII not j FcAENes ErA LuaL
idea out Of their heads until the end
Rights Of House
The question which now Is dominant
IN the minds Of foreigners, as TO the
constitutional right OF the house Of
lords TO interfere IN q finance meas
ure is but part Of the land tax ques-
ton and goes along with Il. has gone
along with 70 from the beginning, so
that In reality the question has not been
shifted The peeTage Itself is threat
ened in England that is go far az their
ownership Of land Is concerned. Al
ready there IS a land commission IN Ire
land which has taken out Of tho hands
Of these landlords more than half -
the land or Ireland, and Is fast moving
on toward getting control Of all Of II.
and after the doctrines Of Henry George,
who got mis- land ideas from q study OF
ireland, this commission In the name OF
the government that Is the people. Is
renting 70 10 hoIle-makers. In England
and Scotland there is a growing seuti-
ment for doing the same thing, and that
Is why the lords are making such des-
perate efforts against this which they
consider the first step.
one OF them said TO me, Il have no
objection 20 paying the spall amount OF
tax involved In this budget But what
] am afraid OF is that when they ind
out there IS q tap here they viii Just
keep on tapping, whenever they want
That Is Just about what there Is IN
the air, and no one knowing that human
nature all the world over IS much alike
and that the real seat Of a mans opin-
ions Is in his pocket and not in his head
can blame the landlords for their violent
opposition 60 the. Lloyd-GcOrge budget
Under the spell OF the vigorous propa-
ganda many people with whom / talk