Wheeling majority. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1907-192?, 1916-03-16
An Economist Who Needs
Economic instruction

Though clearly unfamiliar with
Progress and Poverty and other
works of Henry George, Professor
Lewis H. Haney of the University of
Texas, has inserted in a bulletin, is
sued by the University on the Land
Problem in Texas, an article against
the Single Tax. Professor Heney's
anfamiliarity with Henry Georges
works is evident on his presentation
of objections which Henry George had
answered long ago. 1t is not to be
supposed, for a moment, that had pro
fessor Haney been familiar with
Georges works, he would have written
SO as to give the uniformed reader
the impression that he was presenting
objections which had not yet been
passed upon.
Professor Haney objects to.a single
elastic enough for increasing or de
ereasing 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 expendi
lures must mean increased or decreas-
ed services? And how does he hap
pen to be unaware that increased or
deere sed services means a change
accordingly in land values? Most real
estate men know that much political
economy Moreover, if the Single Tax
should prove insufficient, it would not
ne necessary to levy as much taxes
IN labor to make up the deficit as it
S under existing conditions. Or at
times when there is surplus it could
be put into a sinking fund for the time
of deficit.
The Professor finds fault with single
takers for speaking of certain taxes
as fines takes are no more fines"
he says, "than are the contributions
people make to support schools and
churches" Well, the object of fine
is to discourage the act of doing
which it is imposed. And that is the
object of some taxes. A dog tax is to
discourage keeping of dogs. So is a
saloon tax. Both accomplish their pur
pose to the extent of reducing the
number of people willing to keep dogs
or saloons till taxes on labor have
similar result, although that is not
their object. In prohibition states
81 1O 1OCd14I1OS N0EdOC LuO law Ny al
resting liquor dealers periodically, fin
ing them an amount equal to the usual
license tax, and then allowing them to
go back to their business until the
next period of arrest. It requires some
hairsplitting ability to distinguish be-
tween 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
involuntarily paid are the same in ma
ture as voluntary contributions.
The most astounding assertion-to
be made by an "economist..-is that it
is an Anticipated metaphysical theo-
ry,' 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 fouTl-
dalton for a property right. Does the
peculiar brand of political economy
taught by Professor Hauev. give theft
the preference over labor?
Considering the Professors ch'oo-
tons to antiduated t'ee-ies = w"'''h
not be expected that he should he de-
voted to the antiquated doctrine that