Spencer Heath Archive

Item 1780

Pencil notes by Heath referring to Citadel, Market & Altar for a letter to Ludwig von Mises.

No date

 

 

 

My dear Dr. von Mises:

 

     Mr. George Lamb, Editor in Chief of the Patman Publishing Company, 4 West 45^th Street, has become very much interested in my contribution to socio-economic thinking under the title, Citadel, Market and Altar.

 

     This is the manuscript that you were kind enough to read and examine for me some two years ago and to _________ as being in your opinion a worthwhile contribution to economic thought. I recall that you were kind enough (at that time) to say that you would be willing to write to publishers concerning the desirability of these new ideas being brought to public attention and among wider public and professional discussion.

 

     I refer in particular to the central thesis that the institution of property in land, all unconsciously, performs a fundamental social service in maintaining a contractual as against an arbitrary or coercive allocation and possession of natural resources and public advantages, and that this institution is the potential agency of public services in general, creating its own values without depending on taxation or other public violences that ultimate in revolutions and wars.

 

     Mr. Lamb has told me he would value highly some word from you concerning the matter. He is writing a note to you.

                   With best compliments,

 

                      /s/ Spencer Heath