Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1911-09-19
U'REN's SINGLE TAX.

Col. U'Ren has met with his first
defeat in his effort to have the single
tax idea adopted by Clackamas coun-
ty, Attorney General Crawford on
Friday rendering an opinion against
the placing of the initiative petition
of Clackamas county on the official
ballot at the next general election.
U 'Ren, however, is not discouraged,
but says he will start mandamus pro-
ceedings to compel Secretary Olcott
to place the proposition on the official
ballot and thus permit the people of
Clackamas county to say whether or
not they want a change in the manner
and mode of property assessments.
The Observer may not know any
thing about it but, on general prin-
cipIes, it is in favor of permitting
the people of Clackamas county, or
any other county, to adopt any mode
Of assessment that they may desire.
There is much to this single tax plan
that looks good. That it is big
proposition and will have far-reach-
ing results, cannot be denied. 1t in
wolves so much that is different, such
a radical change from conditions now
in force, that it demands the fullest
and most complete investigation.
The advocates Of single tax have
some very forcible arguments to adj
vance and can point to some excel
lent examples of the successful OPP
GRAFTON of the plan, especially in
Vancouver, B. G., where it has been in
force for several years. 1t is claimed
that no other one thing has contribut-
ed so much to the upbuilding and
prosperity Of the Western Canada
metropolis as the adoption of the
single tax, and opponents of the
measure have so far been unable to
bring forth single argument to re-
fute that statement.
There is no city in the West that
has progressed with the same degree
of rapidity, and in such substantial
manner during the past five years as
Vancouver. Where, few years ago,
small business buildings lined the
business streets, today massive 10 and
IL story brick, stone and concrete
structures rear their lofty cornices in
to the sky, and still the demand for
more buildings exceeds the supply.
1t is claimed that the single tax has
been directly responsible for this
great improvement. Vancouver has
not placed penalty upon improve
ment. 1t has not discouraged capital,
and the prospect Of increased tax
alton following the improvement of
vacant property, has been absent.
Rather, has the single tax encouraged
improvements, they say, and the re-
suit is that Vancouver today probably
contains more and better buildings
than any city Of its size in the
country.
1t may not be the single tax we
want, but certainly a change is desir-
able in our taxation laws in this
country. They do several things in
Canada better than we, and The OBJ
server is as patriotic as anybody in
loyalty to the United States. But,
when we see a good thing we are vii
ling to learn, and il appears that the
Canadians have good thing in their
single tax idea, as it is applied in
Vancouver. In this country, when a
man or a company of capitalists,
improve a vacant corner with moo- 9
ern and beautiful building, among
the greatest items of expense in con-
necti0n Herewith, is increased taxa
ton, and a property which formerly 6
brought but small revenue, suddenly !
becomes rieh in assessment possibil- |
tiles. The more expensive the build v
ing, the more excessive the taxation. q
There is nothing right in thus; there
is no justice in il. Because a man \
is more progressive than his neighbor {
and because he wants TO improve his
property and make il pleasing to the
sight, and possibly better revenue
producer, be must face a greatly in b
creased cost in taxes. Our present
plan discourages all improvement :
and no man viii attempt TO build for Z
purposes until be is g
certain that a demand for his build >
ing exists, and often not until almost
his entire floor space has been leased =
for long term Of years at remuner-
ative rental charges
No more pronounced example Of y
ihe injustice Of assessment and taxa = =
lion may be cited than one which hap
pened in a certain Oregon county re-
senily. Two farmers residing on ad-
Joining tracts each owned q fine or D
.hard. one OF the farners took \
rouderful pride in his orchard and : :
,ept the tract vel cul6raied and 4
..t .--.L dina w;fh l;s trees Hisi .