Spencer Heath Archive

Item 1295

Carbon copy of a letter to Mr. John S. Codman, 222 Summer Street, Boston, Massachusetts

January 25, 1940

 

 

 

Dear Mr. Codman:

I want to thank you for giving me the opportunity of meeting your excellent friends at the Chamber of Commerce luncheon, and presenting to them what I believe to be some very important aspects of the Henry George philosophy and pointing out some of the tremendous and very happy consequences that must follow, logically and inevitably, upon the practical application of his simple formula for the abolition of taxes on production as a transcendent social service to land users.

     It seems regrettable that so much time has passed without it having been discovered and publicized that the performance of this service is a proper and profitable function to be performed by the land-owning interest in the administration of its property. I would like to see some wide discussion and appreciation of the proprietary form of political administration for public and community affairs, as contrasted with the political administration by persons who have no ownership in and, therefore, no responsibility for the misuse of the properties over which they exercise disposition and control.

     I think it is a matter of tremendous significance to discover that the application of Henry George’s practical measure, “To abolish all taxation save that on land values,” taken and applied in its positive sense as a service to land users, must /lead/ directly into the proprietary form of government or, more properly, public service by private contract, consent and exchange for value received. This is more revolutionary than most of us have ever dreamed, but it is revolutionary in the direction of human freedom under voluntary and contractual relations as contrasted with political despotism. In the former, statesmanship will consist in the providing of public and community services that a community most needs and desires as evidenced by its readiness to pay for them at market valuation in ground rent.

     This is in high contrast to political statesmanship which, at its best, consists in the erection and preservation of barriers against the encroachments of governmental power and authority. The barriers, however, always tend to recede. The institution of private property in land seems to be the one constant and effectual defense between free men and tributary slaves so long as this institution is not scuttled of its revenues and values by the taxation which “sucks the life blood of labor and capital” (land users), or broken down by the weight of direct taxation upon the institution itself.

     There are many angles to this whole matter, — historical, scientific, philosophical — that can profitably be investigated and discussed. I am seeking every opportunity to go into this matter with all its angles and implications wherever I can engage the attention of competent minds. I shall be happy indeed if the extraordinary merits and advantages in the proprietary administration of public affairs shall be attributed to the practical and positive aspects of the philosophy of Henry George.

     Mr. Kendal and I would have been pleased to shake your hand once more before leaving Boston for which purpose we called at your office while you were absent, but were only able to leave our best compliments and regrets.

     Friday evening we were entertained by Mr. Thomas N. Ashton in Fall River who arranged an evening meal and conference with the Doctors Padelford and half a dozen others who formed a most interesting and intelligent group.

     Tomorrow I am having further discussions with the Long Island Georgists, particularly with members of the teaching staff, who for some time have become increasingly interested in the recent and more positive aspects and implications of the Georgian philosophy.

     I am contemplating for the near future a journey to Detroit and, probably, several other mid-west cities. If you can acquaint me to any mid-west friends or acquaintances who you think would take an intelligent interest in what I have to present, I will very much appreciate your doing so and letting me have their names and addresses. I may even go much farther west, if the circumstances and opportunity seem favorable.

 

                   Very sincerely yours,