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About The independent. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 21, 1904)
JANUARY 21, 1904. mmmwL off The Philosophy of Freedom An Open Forum for Single Taxers THE NEBRASKA INDEPENDENT HOW THE SINGLE TAX ON LAND VALUES WILL BENEFIT FARMERS. Editor Independent: I think there is a good deal of truth in what you say in reference to Mr. Doblin's re marks in your issue of January 7, and I want to emphasize on the govern ment's use of that income from land values, as the great and lasting ben efit to the farmers especially. Our greatest land values are in qui large cities and many mining properties as well as uncultivated acres in large sec tions in many states. ' Take, for instance, the Cripple Creek mining property in Colorado, only 4 miles by 6 miles in area, yet it has produced since its discovery in 1S51, $150,000,000, and for several years its output has been $2,000,000 per month; and according to a recent report (Jan uary 9) its dividends for 1903 a bad year because of the strike was- $1, 706,902.69, let us say $2,000,000. Now all this $2,000,000 is land val ue, after paying wages, wear and tear of machinery, superlntendency, etc. Let us allow that they have $500,000 worth of machinery capital and we will give them 10 per cent for the use of that. And the single tax would I take for the state of Qolorado, for fed eral as well as local use, $1,350,000 a year. For it is civilization's use of gold for ornament, medical and financial purposes, that creates that price or value to that great bounty of nature. And when we take it for our com munal purposes, and with it build and run a railroad, a telephone or tele graph system, how quickly our present corporations will commerce to serve instead of rob the people and the farmers! And if all the mineral wealth of Colorado alone, much of it untaxed and unused, was treated as though put to its full use, what an enormous fund would pour into the public coffers; enough to put an elec tric light and motor In every farmer's home and barn to run the washing machine or churn for his wife and daughter, as well a3 a telephone for the home, all paid for with those same dividend? now paid to eastern capitalists, whose damnable greed is crushing down labor to a point where it restricts their enjoyment of farm products to" a meagre allowance. Here in Michigan the Calumet & Hecla, a few hundred acres area in the copper country, has paid dividends of $5,000,000 for several years. This represents the difference (because la bor and wear and care of machinery has been paid before this dividend is declared) between this land and land that has no value. Again, it repre sents in its price the demand for cop per consequent upon the discovery of electricity and its many purposes and powers. So when by the single tax we the people take- it for our own public tises we will stop that infamous confiscation of human rights that for centuries has wrought such an amount of war and hell on this earth. Now, imagine if you please, Tom Bawden elected governor of Michigan on a single tax ticket, and at once taxes the land values of the Calumet & Hecla $4,500,000 per year (allowing $500,000 for actual interest on actual capital) and then announce the build ing of a railroad with that money, from Detroit to Grand Rapids to run at 1 cent a mile for passengers and equally low rates for freight. How quickly the G. T. R., M. C. R. R. and P. & M. lines would be at Governor Bawden's feet to pray him not to build that railroad; that they would carry the people for 1 cent a mile, etc. In other words, they would serve instead of rob the farmers and mer chants. And thus compelled to be use ful citizens, the $1,500,000 each year could be put to use making asphalt roads for the farmer all through the country, lighted with arc lihta just Ilk the cities with a 'phone for the farmer's house; an electric light and power for a motor for hi ham for threshing or churning; and all paid for with what i now paid out to a few parasitic capitalists in Wall id roe t. How thU would rnlu the Mock market and cause the mire decline of Wall fctreet and the money power ore can rrnlLr when we think vt the mime tax ti'liis; levied on th Iron, coal, granite, xlnc, cement, timU-r laud, etc, iwt of whkh U unused, hi Id title and U I an wild An.) worthlM i,md. For thU ml It Ion of dot bra now unallowed by Wall treet in r pecula tion would tWti W thrown oti the nutlet, and capitalist would tld autnt each other for the me of I. lr; money would become, ch'p and labor manhood dar, And wouldn't i that cheap money enable many a farmer to pay off his mortgage or buy machinery? ONE MORE INSTANCE. Los Angeles, Cal., May 16. A few men now hold, unused, fully nineteen twentieths of the arable land of Cali fornia, while millions of people are suffering for the want of that land. In the Miller and Lux estate alone (which comprises 14,539,200 acres) there is enough land held out of use 'to support a population of 5,000,000, or nearly four times the present pop ulation of the state. Fifteen men own nearly all the valuable land in Colusa, Glenn, Tehama and Butte counties. From the Boggs ranch to that owned by Rawlins, comprising 74 miles of exceeding fertile land, we find only one small village, one chuich and three school houses. Competent judges state that this land could eas ily support a city of 50,000 population and a rural population of 200,000. More than 16,000,000 acres of Califor nia land are held out of use by only eight persons and estates. Besides this, the greater part of the millions or acres given to the railroads in this state are still unused. Ralph Hoyt in Johnstown Democrat. Suppose a single tax governor and legislature in California was to im pose a tax of $2 per acre on chose 16, 000,000 acres. Wouldn't it cause those landlords to hustle to pay $32,000,000 a year? Wouldn't they be compelled to employ labor to put it to use to raise that revenue? Wouldn't ' they give up large tracts of it to the state? And wouldn't California (one of the best agricultural states in the Union) then be able to offer that good land to hundreds of farmers' sons lor noth ing? Paying merely $2 per year per acre for schools, roads, courts, etc., not land! For land is the free gift of God to all. Why should a man be compelled to buy God's gift from his brother? And if farmers carrying a mortgage, could thus get good farms for noth ing, how long would they stay with the mortgage around their neck? Wouldn't it mean a lot of mortgagees who would be glad to get any kind of money (silver or greenbacks) as long as it was legal tender, for the farms they did not want and could not use? And how such a use of the land and the land values by an awakenea con science and an aroused intelligence would knock all kinds of trusts to smithereens can be seen in a few mo ments, by any farmer who knows the difference between threshing sugar beets and pui'iikiv.. I will be pleased to answer any further questions on this matter at a future time if re quested by yonr rear'a-.u TOM BAWDEN, Editor "Our Commonwealth." Detroit, Mien. (That little editorial" note to Mr. Doblin's communication had the in tended effect. Mr. BawJtn is certain ly at home in explaining what the farmer could reasonably expect to re ceive in lieu of that rise in land value which is now about all he gets out of years of toil. But There are still a few little prelim inaries. Suppose Mr. Bawden were elected this year as governor of Mich iganand I know of no man I would rather see elected governor of that state. And suppose he should have a legislature fully in accord with.hi3 views. And suppose the necessary laws should be enacted to carry into effect the single tax as to Michigan. Could Tom Bawden tax the Calumet & Hecla $4,500,000 a year? I don't be lieve he could do it. That is. I don't believe he could ever collect it. There is a United States supreme court to reckon with, and we, out here In Nebraska, have pome Idea how that court locIde3 matters affecting the in terests of the big fellows. We had a maximum frelaht rate law have It yet hut it Is huns? up, like a scare trow in a cornfield, bv a fedTal court decision which no man tlearh under stands, except that the railroads don't have to obey the law! I raU objection to the tlnslo tax in order to ret rlnsle tisor to come Kick to earth oncp In a while. It's easy to picture an Imneimry heaven and Torn lliwden H surely an rttt; hot the rrcnt limmtty U to pet there. Majrho Tom can tell it that, too. Awn late Kdltor.) To r-rot t jour orchard from rah Hln, Mr, J. A. Osute, the wril-knnwrt nurseryman at IVatrlco, Nek, adli the of tarred building .r. Ite ha hid excellent moors u.lng St In the lUm County Numeric of l.lrh he U the proprietor. It It cheap and Wise Words to Sufferers From a Woman cf Hotre Dame, fntf. ment with full instructions and the history of my own case to any lady suffering from female trouble You can cure yourself at home without the aid of any physician, it will cost you nothing to give tho treatment a trial, and if you decide to continue it will only cost you about twelve cents a week. It will not interfere with your work or occupation. I have nothing to sell. Tell other sufferers of it that is all I ask. It cure's all, young or old. tTIf you feel a bearing-down sensation, sense of Impending evil, pain in the back or bowels, creep Ingleeling up the spine, a desire to cry frequently, hot flashes, weariness, frequent desire to urinate, or if you have Leu corrhea (Whites), Displacement or Falling of tne Womb, Profuse, Scanty or Painful Periods. Tumors or Growths, address MRS. M. SUMMERS. NOTRE DAME, IND., U. S. A. for the Fbeb Treatment and Full Information. Thousands besides myself have cured themselves with it. X send it in plain wrappers. TO MOTHERS OF DAUGHTERS I will explain a simple-Home Treatment which speedily and effectually cures Leucorrhea, Green sickness and Painf ul or Irregular Menstruation in young ladies. It will save you anxiety and expense and save your daughter the humiliation of explaining her troubles to others. Plumpness and health always result from fts use. Wherever you live I can refer you to well-known ladies of your own state or county who know end will gladly tell any sufferer that this Home Treatment really cures a;l diseased conditions of our delicate female organism, thoroughly strengthens relaxed muscles and ligaments which causa displacement, and makes women well. Write today, as this offer will not be made again. Address MRS. n, SUMMERS, Box 169 Notre Dame, Ind., U.S. A i jf3 A Superb Dairy Country j&T iff g&k'wft&jf t"1 Tb hard wood MmTwr country L . 4 a irnvt'ps(i nvtho"Hiw" tAn in wiwonnin una iBaiiCc-K-i3' - :!: .:.! J ni jCjZi Mlchlifiin li m know kriRid hy ipan lo be tho fCiM' ,'fi'&J'.,. J " ' H I t Inml I gmiOy rolllnn. the iMI II n rK-li tonm &V-C. -to. f" t - with acliiy Hulwull, vBlorel bv utioninn riiiI P"f, ? 1 ,7" w 'foU 4i; ' 3 'nk'1 puro wkHt. Cirnlns, tugoiHDlpi and lt-f.,V SH-v-TSTi fc i Rn.nn El-" wonrtprfullv. A rpnt clor BSrfrft' . . tn. FiSfritfrtii yV 3 lorn iry. flhiilco Innd can he bought on ey I rf ! liCi'f T i 2 fjTCS iAt't jn nr.yniei.l-.ot from x UMo H2 00 nn lu.ro. h: 'f; "4 ."j fAr? fcX&U$& 0Z A.-kforW,i.nliiKiiorBu'y I'cople." Vk ?-VT'1 can be easily put on; the roll should be made four to six inches in diam eter so as to leave a good air space next to the tree. This is also a good preventive for borers. FAKMElto, ATTKNTION. Do you wish to eell your iarm? U so, send full description, lowest price and best terms. Or, if you wish to buy a farm, ranch or Lincoln home, vrite to or call on Williams & Bratt, 1105 O St., Lincoln. Neb. A. D. KITCHEN, Real Estate and Rental- Agency, 1222 O . St., Lincoln, Neb. FARMS WANTED. If you want to buy a farm, or if you want to sell a farm, see me. I have several buyers who want to buy. List your farms with me. FOR RFNT OR SALE.-On crop payments, sevri choice lat um, fceud for list. JOHN MLLHALL, Sioux Ci'v, lw. ROCK ISLAND SYSTEM To California, Comfortably Cheaply. There are all sorts of ways of go ing to California, but the way most people go is in a Tourist Sleeping car. It's cheap. It's quick. It's com fortable. Berth (plenty large enough for two) costs only $7 from Chicago;. $5.75 from Missouri river points. Sec ond class tickets accepted. Ask for our folder "Across the Con tinent in a Tourist Sleeping Car." It tells tho whole story. V. II. BARNES, C. P. A. 1015 O St., Lincoln, Neb. Live Stock Insurance This city is tho home of the oldest mutual live tstork Insurant company In tho state. That class of insurance la Increasing in popularity and the volume of business U steadily iru rcaa Inj. It ij particularly in demand among theme who find It nc oy.Miy to inaUc loan and oftvr live atnek for pfi utlty. If tho tK k U well Insured In the t'hurnlx Mutual Lite Stock In run am o Co. It male! tho stnurUy lxt t r and a cnstd ral-ly laria t amount of monry fan ho ohtalnrd than In hit whoro thr U m Jnsaraiue r only Irsurame ttKalit lis by fire or lightning, The I'lnxuiU Mutual Inaurr gaint loa fnm ny and all must, II pay kus promptly. The fyllowlng U only no of many torn plimentary letters received by - the company: 'Jl had a loss in the Phoenix Mu tuaLLive Stock Ins. Co. and ihey paid promptly in ten days after I sub mitted claim md proof of same. I be lieve it the best live stock insurance company in the state. ; Very truly, M. A. McCafferty, O'Neill, Neb.". If you are needing insurance or de sire to secure a good position as agent write the Phoenix Mutual Live Stock Ins. Co., JIG So. 10th st., Lincoln, Neb. Money Talks all languages, and we have a propo sition. to make to the readeis of The Independent. Briefly it is as follows: We agree to give you a watch with a twenty-year Dueber gold filled case, the movement to be either Elgin, Waltham or Hampden, gents' size, for $8.50. Identically and positively the same watch in every respect as the watch 3"ou pay $15 for. If we don't make good every letter of every word, hang onto your $8.50. We don't want it un less we can give you a $15 watch for it. That's our proposition; a straight forward offer to save you $6.50 on a watch. No dodging, no hedging, no wordy fireworks. Just a plain, bold, calm, positive statement that we must stand by or quit the business. What are you going to do about it? CJoing to keep on making somebody a pres ent of $G.50? Write us about this, or any other watch. We refer you to The Independent if you are in doubt about sending us your order. Fact of tho matter Is this, we can save you at least 30 per cent on anything you might need in the way of Jewelry. Sent by express with privilege of ex amination, and if It Is not as repre sented, return at our expense. If It is satisfactory, pay the agent $S.50. FRANK O. HICIIAHDS. Jeweler 102G O St.; Lincoln, Neb. Mammoth Jack For Sale I have for ph a full blood, etl Mammoth Jaek, weight 050 jmumU 8 venr old. Kxct'l It tit build, fioftvy lionet, tplrn did action, guarante td breeder. AN0 of hi gf.-t a yearlings and i colts. William P. Klllcn, Jl 4 Omalm N.t'l lUnk tt'ld'f,, Omaha. Nbraka.