Spencer Heath Archive

Item 1534

Carbon of a letter from Heath to Louis Fabian Bachrach, 128 Highland Street, West Newton, Massachusetts

September 25, 1954

Dear Mr. Bachrach:

     Quite a number of years ago we had some correspon­dence in which I sent you a little booklet explanatory of the institution of private property in land. I remember you took a considerable interest in the idea that this institution, through organization of the basic realty owners in a city or community, could gradually take over the administration of the community services. And to do this honestly and without corruption for the sake of the profits that would accrue to them through increase of income and value to their community properties.

     The idea was that Society could be redeemed from its burden of political corruption and ultimately total­itarian tyranny through evolution of the institution of property in land and its profit-making administration — rather than its destruction by political and coercive procedures as the land communists and, somewhat naively also the Henry Georgists urge and propose.

     Since that time, on the negative side, I have made a thorough examination of Henry George’s great work and published my findings under the title, “Progress & Poverty Reviewed and Its Fallacies Exposed.” I am sending a copy of this review to you with my compliments and the thought that it might have a particular interest to you by reason of your father’s great interest and activity along similar lines.

     I also enclose a very small booklet which analyzes the Henry George theory as succinctly stated by the Rev. Dr. Edward McGlynn many years ago, and upon which state­ment he was reinstated to his priesthood after some years of bitter controversy and excommunication.

     With best wishes and pleasant remembrances of your father and of you, I am

Sincerely,