The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-07-19
STARTS OUT WELL
The Garfield Park Chautauqua
Opens Auspiciously.
on Reform.
SINGLE TAX QUESTION
He Advocates the Henry George
Theories.
Ex-G0v. Glenn, of North Caro-
lima, Speaks Tonight.
SINGLE TAX QUESTION

eff you rob a chicken house you are
fined once, but if you build chicken
house you are fined twice. This is the
theory of our present system of taxa
tion.''
Thus Rev. Herbert S. Bigelow, a
sure 'nough preacher-pastor of the
Vine Street Congregational church of
Cincinnati, and also a sensible reform
er, expressed his ideas about the tax
ing improvements on lands.
He was speaking at the opening ses-
sion of the chautauqua which began
a twelve days session at Garfield park
Monday afternoon. His subject was
Direct legislation and besides urg-
ir- the none-taxation of improve
ments, he also advocated that Kansas
people make every effort to secure the
passage of the initiative and referen-
dunn bill through the legislature next
winter. He explained how by the
Initiative method that the people could
vote on laws direct and how the refer
endum would give them power to re-
call their legislators when the same
began to get blinded by the glare of
the yellow metal or corrupted by the
wiles of the lobbyists
In an informal interview after his
speech he admitted that he was an
equal suffragist and didn't hesitate
about saying so either.
Rev. Mr.. Bigelow is "a man of no
mean learning" He does not foam or
froth at the mouth in advocating his
reform ideas, nor rant at the degen-
eracy of mankind He simply tells
things as he thinks they are and calm
ly and Interestingly suggests remedies
for bad conditions and systems.
His address in part follows:
1.-THE spirit of monopolizing and land
ownership laws are working great
l. t. I, "a
thief who would reduce the purchasing
power of your purse by robbing it is
punished, but the thief higher up who,
by his control of land, and by manipu-
lating the market, reduces the pur-
chasing power of your purse by fore
ing the price of things way up is treat
ed as honored guest if he comes to
your town.
Hard on Civic Pride.
"The man who improves his proper
ty and thus helps build UP his COM
munity is taxed more than the man
who speculates in land, and let's it lie,
vacant, without using it, and finally
| selling out at price advanced enough
| over the purchase price to more than
cover the expense of the small taxes.
eff those vacant lots happen to be
| in CITY, the citizens are taxed more
because water mains must be extended
along these vacant lots until they reach
the populated part. If in the coun-
a farm Is unlfnprONeU the taxes are
| lower than upon a farm where i'm
provements are made.
eff you rob chicken house, you are
fined once, but if you build a chicken
| house. you are fined twice. This is the
| theory of our modern system of taxa
| ton.
II would suggest that taxation be
| based upon the assessed value of the
property without the value of improve
| ments.
an his special proclamation TO en-
| courage people to be truthful to the
census taker, Taft said that the census
taker wouldn't tell the tax collector
any secrets-an admission that every
one lied about their taxable possess
Sions.
Another thirg: whether you ara
| Democrats. Republicans. Prohibition
lists. or just women. you will agree that
the government ought to he a popular
government, but this can't be with the
| present system.
Political Inconsistency
"a person may have a good idea, but
| to put it in effect he must first enact
| it into a platform, nominate ticket and
make a fight of it, In one state the
| Democrats advocated a certain meas
| ure. but the party was defeated and
| Republican legislature came into pow
| er. And in the form of bill that