The Northwest worker. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1915-1917, 1916-03-23
AN ECONOMIST WHO
NEEDS ECONOMIC
INSTRUCTION
(By Samuel Danziger).


works of Henry George, Professor
Lewis IL. Elaney of the University of
Texas, has inserted in bulletin, is
sued by the University on the Land
Problem in Texas, an article against
the Single Tax. Professor Haney's
unfamiliarity with Henry Georges
works is evident on his presentation
of the objections which Henry George
had answered long ago. 1t is not to
be supposed, for moment, that had
Professor Haney been familiar with
Georges works, he would have writ
ten so as to give the uniformed read
err the impression that he was present
ing objections which had not yet been
passed upon.
Professor Haney objects to a sin
gle source of revenue lest it would not
be elastic enough for increasing or
decreasing needs of government. The
Professor teaches Economics" How
is it then that he does not know that
in properly administered govern
ment, increased or decreased expen-
ditures must mean increased or de-
creased services? And how does he
happen to be unaware that increased
or decreased services means q change
accordingly in land values? Most
real estate men know that much po-
litical economy. Moreover if the Sim
gle Tax should prove insufficient, it
would not be necessary to levy as
much taxes on labor to make up the
deficit as it is under existing condi-
tons. Or at times when there is
a surplus it could be put into a sinking
fund for the time of deficit.
The Professor finds fault with sin
gle takers for speaking of certain
taxes as fines. "Taxes are no more
fines" he says, than are contribu-
lions people make to support schools
and churches" Well, the object of a
fine is to discourage the act for do
ing which it is imposed. And that
is the object of some taxes. A dog
tax is to discourage keeping of dogs.
So is saloon tax. Both accomplish
their purpose to the extent of reduc-
ing the number of people willing to
keep dogs or saloons till taxes on la
Dor have similar result, although
that is not their object. In prohibi-
ton states some localities evade the
law by arresting liquor dealers period
ically, filming them an amount equal
to the usual license tax, and then al
lowing them to go back to their bus
mess until the next period of arrest
1t requires some hair-splitting ability
to distinguish between fines and some
taxes.
Apparently the Professor forgets
also that involuntary contributions,
called fines, are frequently made to
school funds through police courts.
Does he not see a difference between
these involuntary contributions, and
voluntary contributions to churches
and schools? Yet he says that taxes
Involuntary paid are the same in ma
ture as voluntary contributions.
The most astounding assertion-to
be made by an economist" lis that
it is an Anticipated metaphysical
theory" which "bases ownership on
effort expended and would allow title
only in those who have made things"
Well, if labor is not the proper basis
of ownership, then there are but two
other possible foundations-theft and
gift. Since the validity of gift, how
ever, depends on validity of the Civ
er's title, there remains but theft as
the only alternative to labor as foun-
dation for property right. Does the
peculiar brand of political economy
taught by Professor Haney, give theft
the preference over labor?
Considering the Professors objec-
tons to Anticipated theories it would
not be expected that he should be de-
voted to the Anticipated doctrine that
proverty is due to multiplication of
population" in "a world in which nat
ural resources are limited in amount"
He should read Henry Georges refu-
tation of the Malthusian theory, and
either answer it or admit his own err
or. But even without reading it he
might look around a bit, take note of
unused natural resources, and see that
until they are all in use there is no
occasion to blame the limited supply
of them for poverty.
If the Professor ignores economic
principles in the classroom, as he has
in this article, his students are not
likely to get much knowledge of the
science of political economy.
Ryan Walker, Everett, April p