Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1912-09-06
ANENT THE SINGLE TAX.

der obligations by contributing the
following sensible talk on single or
graduated tax. The subject is a
complex one and therefore what Is
needed is information which is clear
and distinct. like the following. Our
friend. as will be seen, is opposed 10
the single tax theory and he. in
language that is clear, gives his rea-
sons for his opposition Here is
what he has to say:
Are you a borrower or a lender?
Most men are the one or the other,
and in new countries, going through
the stages OF development. the ma
jority are borrowers, while the lem
ders are few and much sought az
ter.
Let US assume that the single
tax bill, or graduated tax bill, has
passed and become law. n you are
a lender would you not. as a pru-
dent business man. wait to see what
the effects OF the law were going TO
be before placing any money on real
estate security? Perhaps It will
take but one or two or three years
to ascertain how the law would
work out. but in the meantime what
would the borrower do who wishes To-
raise money Or to secure renewal
or extension OF his loan. The len
ders would be demanding payment
when due. The value Of land as Sc
eurity for money would be in doubt
and until this doubt was settled you
could not expect foreign capital to
rush in. II one thinks It easy to
borrow money from outside the
state let him try It. Why yes,
money can be had in Iowa, Illinois,
Indiana and many other OF the Mis-
sissippi valley states at 4 and per
cent per annum. Just offer them
per cent with Oregon lands as Sc
curity and see how much OF IL you /
can get under present conditions.
III you destroy the value Of real |
estate as basis OF credit for even a |
few months you will destroy the /
prosperity OF the community for a
greater length OF time.
The advocates of the graduated |
tax say in effect, the corporations
will pay double the taxes they now |
pay Does anyone really suppose .
that the corporations will meekly |
walk up and pay this added tax? |
Isn't II more reasonable to suppose
that they, the railroads at least,
would apply to the federal courts for
an injunction against the tax collec-
tors until the matter could be
fought out In the courts? In the .
meantime and before the courts we're
through with It, every county in the |
state would be bankrupt for want OF |
funds to carry on the ordinary bust
mess Of the county. including the
maintenance OF the schools. Road /
building would have to stop. Thus
We would have both public and priv .
ate business at staudstil waiting
for a few months or a few years o.
see how the new law would work ort
Can We a1ord e.? Does the next
few months or year mean anything
TO us2 Is &c not hard enough under
present conditions 20 secure capital
for development without experiment.
Ing With this untrled theory2
The PEOPLE o, This state misht /
not De ayerse 90 observlne the ct- .
tects OF the theory on s5me other
state but why must we De ths soate .
Why not look at 3. as o. plain busi- .
ness proposition Go 90 your cred- .
itors your bank the man who holds .
q mortgage GA your home OF your /.
land and ask him 90 he Is willing 90 .
grant renewal or extension OF your
loan or note In the event the sgad-
uated tax bin passes After get,lns