Spencer Heath Archive

Item 2790

Exchange of correspondence with Margaret E. Bateman, Director, Henry George School of Social Science, 30 E. 29^th Street, New York City, with enclosure referred to in opening letter to Bateman. Her reply of February 16, 1942, and response to her of February 26, 1942. Relevant to this content, see also Items 2267 and 2285.

 

 

 

 

Dear Miss Bateman:

 

Reports come to me of political attacks being made and unfavorable publicity being given to the Henry George School. I regard this as possibly a serious menace to the only institution I know of that stands firmly for the prin­ciple of freedom under contractual relations — so far as private industry is concerned.

 

 As reflecting my present sentiment and views, I am sending you herewith a copy of the reply that I sent more than a year ago to a solicitation from the insurgent group. It occurs to me now that the thoughts I presented then may be of some interest or value to you and to those of your associates whose devotion to the cause of liberty and truth is as sincere and earnest as your own.

 

 I send you again my personal compliments and the best of good wishes.

 

Sincerely,

 

S. H.

 

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­________________________________________

/Enclosed text:/

 

Many of us have become enamoured of arguments that are more moralistic and retributive and therefore destructive — that contemplate the destruction of values and institutions, rather than their perfection and their fulfillment. In this we honor Henry George more as avenger than as liberator of men.

 It is not in the fervor of moral indignation and de­structive emotions, but in the light of knowledge and science that freedom is gained. The sound principle of Henry George should be maintained by the strongest and clearest of the arguments that he advanced; and if his better arguments can be extended to higher and firmer ground in support of his principle and thus bring it into higher and wider circles of acceptance and adherency, this will be enterprise of highest loyalty to the great leader and that his living spirit would most deeply commend.

 There are grounds for hope that the great positive and creative proposal of Henry George may yet shine in the full light of its pure constructiveness. Those of us who have been searching for its full truth and beauty should try to learn from each other and let others learn, if they will, from us.

 But we must not fall into the error of condemning the School. Institutions, like men, must be appraised by what they accomplish and not by how much they fall short. We must be thankful that the School, at the very least, has brought some order and system and better organization to our cause. If it should give only a factual knowledge of what Henry George wrote, that alone is a valuable work upon which the largest numbers can unite and that we ought to encourage and applaud. Further and higher labors can have no better foundation than this. Men in large numbers must always have scriptures for their reliance and guide, and men in small numbers must ever widen the horizons cir­cumscribed by the keepers of these bibles, that the vital spirit in them may be kept alive and grow.

 For my part, I will refrain from any condemnation of the shortcomings of the School. But I will gladly join with whomever I may for discussion and development of the higher and more persuasive conceptions that support our great prin­ciple.  And I will do this in the hope that what is thus done will be so well and effectively done that the School, by our example, may be inspired to extend its work, perhaps with our assistance, into higher and wider and less controversial fields. Let us at least establish ourselves as seekers and finders of Truth before we ask the School to “change its course and truly become a truth-seeking institution.”

 With all sincerity and sympathy, I am,

 

                                 In truth yours,

 

         Spencer Heath

 

__________________________________

 

 

               Henry George School of social Science

CHARTERED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK

30 EAST 29TH STREET, NEW YORK CITY

 TELEPHONE MURRAY HILL 4-6270

 

February 16, 1942

Mr. Spencer Heath

The Science of Society Foundation

Roadsend Gardens

Elkridge, Md.

Dear Mr. Heath:

A letter such as yours gives us the encouragement that makes it possible to go on making more and more students of the philosophy of Henry George. I thank you very much indeed for taking the trouble to write this letter and for the very generous attitude towards our school. We know that we make plenty of mistakes but we believe our friends trust us to do as far as possible the right thing.

 

 The copy of the letter you have sent may be very useful at the present time and we do appreciate your taking the trouble to defend us and to make allowance for our errors, as you have done. Do come and see us next time you are in New York.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

_______________________________________

 

 

February 26, 1942

Dear Miss Bateman:

 

I am sorry that I did not get your letter until I returned here late last evening. Your kind appreciation of my message certainly merited a prompt acknowledgement.

 

 I shall surely come in to visit you when next I am in New York. Our devotion to the ideals of Henry George would seem to provide wide enough foundation for the most substantial cooperation.

 

Very cordially yours,

 

 

Spencer Heath

 

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