The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-12-06
The Single Tax
 - ss Waterburians Mani- festing New Inter- est in Merits of
 Old Theory.

Many local residents nave De- come more than ordinary "tax conscious. This reaction may be more or less a reaction to the con- sideration now being given to the local tax rate for 1889. It has al- so been reported that clacces of students interested in economics are showing keen interest in the single tax plan. It's an old theory, but it is providing a so' rec of new interest, new study and new com ment for many. Here's a contribu- ton from the pen of Everett E. Stanley of 43 Hyman street, member of the local school de- partment.
 The single tax is puzzle to most of us because we have rot thought about it or really known of it and, too, it is comparative ly new idea for raising money for governmental expenses nd almost opposite to the method which now prevails and has prevailed for thousands of years That which has been in use so long and has apparently stood the test of time must be correct and right so the great majority of us will argue. But we fail to note the dist-ust and chaos that dots the world to- day and has marred the march of progress since man began to clut- ter the glove instead of really live upon it. May there not be con- nection and a real one between the troubles of this world and the way taxes are levied?
 It seems to me that selfishness and misunderstanding are the bases or cau1es of all ill-feeling be- tween individuals, families, "2s, and nations. Line fence disputes have wrecked the lives and for tunes of many family where the lands involved were not worth the proverbial, tinker's dam. So, too, with races and nations wanting by force that which is not theirs or keeping that which does not be- lung to them, causes discontent, ill-feeling, and strife, with all its beastly misery, results. As you look over the history of the na- ton of the world from ancient
 tim down to the present. were not the causes of all wars the de- sres for getting by force that which could not be gotten other wise? Study carefully and think you will come to the conclusion that wars have not been waged anywhere, anytime except for con- quest, the world war being no ex- ception.
 Now what is the object of all strife? What is the cause of 1t? In the last analysis is it not sel- fishness in some form in individ- ual and nation alike? A nation does not wage war to gain manu- fsctured products or food stuffs or material things of any descrip- tion. War debts cannot be paid, satisfactorily, with metallic money or goods. The real payment must be in territory, or colonies and such payments are prized. The nation that wages war and comes of victorious wants land and gets it. If you think otherwise look at the results of all the wars of his tory.
 Now why is land so desirable? Perhaps if we define land, the answer will be obvious. Land, as the economist visualiZeS 1t, L the whole material universe-earth, air, and water. Everything in its natural state outside of man IS land. Thus we see why land is so desirable for without it man can- not live. Ere man came into be- ing therc was land. Man can only exist by using land.
 Land is really nature or Gods gift to man to use and as such He gives it to all men et all times. He gives it to the newly born babe as well as to the lordly Ing or dictator; and he w..o has t.-e land or uses it is in honor bound to pay the whole community whatever yearly rental any other person would be willing to ray for the use of it. This is ground or economic rent and belongs to Soci- ety nr all the people. This is the single or land tax, the levying of which works no injustices, imposes no burdens, and benefits the whole community. It is the cas- fest tax to collect and one which the user of the land has to pay himself. It simply can't De passed on. It does away with all falsi- flying of tax documents for land values are easily determined and collected. Too, the amount ob- tained by this tax would be aE--ple to meet all our governmental ex- penditures and provide many an improvement in addition.
 This imposition of this tax would make available good farm land, good garden spots, good fac tory sites, good mines of all sorts, good building sites ,;:pon which labor would employ itself or De employed, for on one could hold such properties out of use unless he paid the full economic rent for the privilege. This tax would re- lieve the farmer of his taxes on house, barn, and stock, the bus mess man of his many taxes on Storeroom, stock, and trade, the manufacturer of his tax on fac- tory, proudcets finished and un- finished, and relieve all of us of the taxes on anything we buy or anything we make and sell.
 The single tax will not increase a mans taxes if he builds a home. improves his yard, establishes a factory or does the many and one things which he would enjoy do- ing and which really benefits the whole community. Really isn't 1t folly and wrong to tax in any way. shape. or manner any part of human achievement? Should not man be encouraged and rewarded to improve is yard, paint his house, build factory. or do aything that really makes life pleasanter and more desir- ableb for us all?
 Believe it or not" there is real :. .a. II A.. e1 fsaIl tAF