New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-10-21

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: Mayor Mitchell in a recent statement
is reported to have declared that the prepos-
ferrous personal tax assessments Of this year
were necessary because OF New York City's
financial difficulties, which he claimed are
largely due to mandatory laws passed at Al
bany affecting salaries in this city. This
statement OF the Mayor is not warranted.
New Yorks troubles are not due 10 man
datory laws affecting salaries. They are
chiefly due to regulatory laws the admins
tration of which by single tax socialists has
reduced taxable real estate values to the ex-
tent of many hundreds Of millions Of dol
lars.
Henry George the founder Of single tax
ism. declared that private ownership of land
was a crime and that "the state must make
land common property" Also that the state
should "confiscate rental values" While we
have no single tax law, single tax men ap-
near to be in control of the city, and they
have succeeded in confscating or destroying
rental values and taxable values to an ex-
tent that Henry George probably never
dreamed possible.
Single tax socialism could be properly des-
ignated as benevolent highbrow socialism,
and it is a greater menace TO the community
than the red flag brand of socialism, as It's
leaders are highly educated and charming
men who are obsessed with the idea that II Is
their moral duty to rob Peter to pay Paul
Peter in this case represents many thousands
Of industrious, frugal, law-abiding citizens
who have invested their savings in real es-
tate under laws and principles that have
obtained for hundreds of years. And Paul
represents million, more or less, Of shift
less, incompetent, improvident people, human
parasites or sponges. AS moths prefer the
most extensive garments to lay their eggs
in. so these single takers and half takers get
into the very best social and charitable or
CARNATIONS to propagate their twisted
theories.
The upstate members OF the Legislature
are not to blame for the mandatory and regu-
latory laws complained Of, most Of which
were passed on the insistent demand Of char
ity workers, social reformers and politicians
from this city. While charity and settlement
workers are very charming people and de
serve the highest praise for their good work,
they are not the best advisers as TO public
policies. Members of the Legislature, how
ever, cannot be expected to give this fac.
full weight
To say that home rule will help us out Of
our troubles is pure nonsense. Every section
Of the state is deeply interested in the
growth and prosperity Of New York City, and
the upstate members Of the Legislature real
lie the importance Of promoting the city's
welfare. For the city to continue in the
power Of interests and influences now in con-
troll of its affairs would be a calamity. The
Legislature is factor of incalculable value
70 the people Of this city as a means Of pro-
lection from the socialists now in power.
Two years ago the city voted for social
stic programme and it is now paying the
penalty. The people voted to put the city OIL
a charity and social reform basis and they
have succeeded. They have also put it on
as nearly an insovent basis as it is technical
ly possible for it to be.
The relief afforded real estate owners this
year as a result Of the personal tax increase
will be very slight, and will be greatly over
balanced by the placing Of tens of millions of
dollars Of uncollectible personal taxes on the
Controllers books, all of which must be
placed in future budgets and raised by taxa
ton.
There are three principal reasons why it IS
impossible to reduce the cost of government
TO extent that would afford substantial
relief to taxpayers: First-Short term OF
our elected officials. Second-Divided au-