The Socialistic Method. 293 



per cent. In Ward 17, Avhich is mainly occupied by a 

 prospe:."Ous and well-to-do middle-class, the percentage of 

 value of land to the total, in improved properties, is only 

 44 1-7 per cent. In Ward 13, which is occupied almost 

 wholly by the poor, the percentage of value of land to the 

 total, in improved properties, is 61 1-3 per cent. 



Under the proposed benehcent system therefore, the 

 very poor will be courteously called upon to surrender 

 relatively nearly 39 per cent, more of their property 

 than the well-to-do. ''But," says the Single-tax advo- 

 cate, "when unimproved land is assessed at its actual 

 market-value the proportions in these valuations will all be 

 changed." To this I am forced to reply, "not quite so fast, 

 my good friend. An assessment of improved and unim- 

 proved land at actual value is no pecviliarity of the Single- 

 tax system. As well characterize the author of the system 

 as peculiarly a hatted man, because he wears a hat, as 

 characterize the Single-tax system by any such feature. 

 Such a method of valuation is the only proper method 

 according to economists of various schools, and to my per- 

 sonal knowledge was so long before 'Progress and Pov- 

 erty' was written. Moreover, this is precisely what is 

 now done by law in the City of Boston without any such 

 marvelous effect upon the City or State as you prophesy, 

 and with the result of producing the figures which I have 

 just given. Purthermore, whatever change of value might 

 occur hereafter, the cost to those who are despoiled is the 

 cost of their property to-day." 



]\Ir. Henry George and his followers have yet to show that 

 there is any conceivable practicable method by which their 

 single tax upon land, omitting the improvements, could be 

 collected, and that under such a system it would be any 

 easier for a moneyless man to obtain possession of a val- 

 uable location than it is to-day. 



Verily these gentlemen have the courage of their con- 

 victions ! On a mere guess as to what they think might 

 happen under a state of circumstances never yet seen 

 in a complicated society, they are ready to bring down 

 upon the world all that the change which I have in- 

 dicated implies, to urge an act of injustice so stupen- 

 dous that nothing in any way comparable with it as 

 a deliberate proposition appears upon the pages of re- 

 corded history. They propose to deprive the owners of 



