Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-02-21

graduate work. This can be done by
building on ono of the four normal
schools ROBERT X. BROCK.
Farmville. Va. February Is
Don't Change Greenbucks
To the Editor OF Tho Times Dispatch:
Sir.--ln AN editorial note In your
issue of February S, under heading,
RAISING OF the Greenbacks," occurs
inns sentence: They have always been
Il disturbing element in our currency
system: it is now proposed to retro
them. tho move being in limo with the
'H"fts 10 put tho currency on scicn-
tine basis" regret to see a paper so
generally on the right side in public
affairs giving it's support to reac-
tonarv measure. The sreenback. i'm
perfect though il is to-day as a legal
money. is yet nearer the scientific
standard than any other. There Is no
call nor excuse for withdrawing it
at this time. It should be made full
well as private. The gold reserve. use
i"ssly held In the vaults. should he
covered into the Treasury to use. It
would help fiji the deficit which is Civ
ing the fnanciers so much trouble.
Ten millions In reserve. as cXpe-
rlchc" shows. would meet all calls upon
the Treasury to redeem Greenbacks.
Ih"T need no security: they have be
hind them the fiat Of the sovereign
power.
This alone constitutes the essential
Of money in the legal sense. Whatever
may be the material-gold. silver or
paper-all are Of equal power az tools
OF exchange legal tender"
The attempt to retire the greenback
has been made several times. inspired
by the class who want to make gold
the only debt-paying money! This
would enable those who control the
gold supply to fix all prices by wreck
ing all debtors in default.
All our great business concerns
nearly are compelled to work under
the credit system. Tradesmcn and
farmers are in the same situation. BY
any sudden change of market condi-
lions they may he unable to meet their
debts. With gold as the only tender,
what chance have they to escape bank
ruptcy, IL forced TO pay in gold? Now.
between them and the creditor, de-
mandng. like Shylock, his pound OF
flesh. is the Ereenback. This is the
money that has served US in war and
in peace. Both the Federal and Con-
federate States were served by it in
the Civil War, and since 1t has been
full OF helpfulness in time OF trouble.
Let us have this matter we'll consid
cred and fully discussed. The people
are ignorant on financial subjects: this
ucnts. EDWARD DAVIES.
Gunston. Fairfax County, Va, Feb
ruary Il.
.THx the Many. Not the Few"
To the Editor OF The Times Dispatch:
Sir-Most fair-minded readers will
find much to commend in the adver-
tiscment, TAX the Many. Not the
Few" Although published anony-
mously, II voices some sentiments that
none need be reluctant TO sponsor.
even II what the advertisers meant is
not quite as clear rs it might he.
To distribute the pressure" OF the
burdens OF taxation is hardly what is
meant, for that Is exactly what is and
always has been taking place. What
is really required is to distribute tho
pressure equally" and In proportion
to the benefits received from those who
levy the tax
In accounting for the coming deficit
Of 1917. the chief item In the cause OF
the deficit is tho loss OF the liquor ex-
cises. In order 20 find the proper
source for this revenue. it seems as
though those who are to benefit by
the States loss should make it good
But who is to be benefited thereby?
1t is quite clear that the whole peo
pie will be great gamers through the
increased productivity OF those who
and less to drink. as well as by their
increased intelligence and higher
standard OF morals But il is useless
TO talk OF poll taxes making up the
loss. 1t will he necessary. then. to
find out who receives the greatest
benefit from the abatement of the
liquor traffic.
once an accurate da, ice for tho meas
urement is found. and that already eS-
lists in the form OF land value. The
value of land is an unerring criterion
whereby the total advantages OF
particular site are balanced against
the total disadvantages of whatever
kind. The owner OF the site is the
recipient in the form of ground rent
Of the net dcsrability OF his particu-
lar parcel OF land AS sober people
are always more Industrious and in
tclligent than their drunken brothers.
and as their industry must consist in
tho development of land, it follows
that thcre must he an increased de-
mand for land immediate and the
beneficiary through that increased de-
nand Is the source from which tho
needed revenue should be secured. And
in so doing il viii! not lay an addi-
tional burden. for what is taken away
will be but what has just been given.
the community simply taking what it
has already conferred. Here, then, ia
whore the tax should go. violating no
principle OF ethics nor exped:cncy.
Suppose the State does not agree,
where will this burden he placed?
win the state penaliZe the desirable
enterprises and industries to make up
a deficit caused by tho cessation OF
tax on an enterprise that has been
found so undesirable?
Having gotten rid of business that
by legal enactment has been pro-
nounccd as injurious to the health and
morals Of the State. Will the State now
place this load on enterprises in every
way desirable? Is il TO be inferred
that those businesses represented by
the banks and business and profess
sional men should carry a load hith-
erto carried by an odious business
If excise taxes were levied to rcgu-
late and control the liquor traffic and
discourage it's growth would the Leg
islature imply that whatever business
class is called upon to shoulder the
h,lr