Spencer Heath Archive

Item 1235

Carbon copy of letter from Roadsend Gardens, Elkridge, Maryland, to Charles H. Ingersoll, 1165 Broadway, New York, N.Y.

June 3, 1939

Dear Mr. Ingersoll:

Your letter of April 18th came while I was away and did not come to my attention until shortly before getting your card of the 23rd. Sorry I did not see you at the City Hall Hearing in New York.

I have read your reviews of articles in “No Taxes,” and I like a great deal, if not all, that you say about the articles which you review. However, I have not had the advantage of reading the articles lately. Some two or three months ago I subscribed for “No Taxes” through our friend Burger — Three Dollars for two years, but the paper has not started coming yet. I hope Mr. Burger sent the money in promptly.

I think your reviews are valuable so far as they give further publicity to sound ideas. It is only your favorable criticisms that have any merit, and the merit of these depends upon the merit of what you criticize. Your unfavorable criticisms, from my point of view, can have no possible value at all. It is not possible for any of us to shed light by proving that the other fellow’s light is all darkness.

I am very glad to have you make reference, even vague reference, to my contributions. This may assist in drawing attention to some of the explanations that I have been trying to make.

I am not surprised that a good deal of Beckwith reminds you of me. There are many views which we seem to hold in common, one of them being, “No Taxes,” and another being that rent is payment for community services and nothing else. I would like to contact Beckwith sometime in a quiet and private way. I hope you are studying carefully my “Private Property in Land Explained.” It might also interest you to note “Why Valuable Land Lies Idle.” I am sending you a carbon copy of one of my fifteen or more chapters — the one which answers this question. Your review is returned herewith. Many thanks.

Cordially,