[Reprinted from Land and Freedom, July-August 1938]
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There are some people who think it is a waste of time to discuss
what is to happen to interest incomes under the Henry George policy.
One of your correspondents regards the discussion between L.D.
Beckwith and Allan C. Thompson as a matter that need concern
these two, only. Nothing, I think, could be farther from the truth.
Henry George and those who have followed him have not been content to merely point to the remedy for our economic ills, but have been
at pains to show the various effects that would follow the adoption
of his plan. Why then should we not be at equal pains to show what
would be the effect on investments? Supposing that the earnings
of the people increased to such an extent that everyone became a
capitalist, with ample funds to supply his needs; supposing that
businesses, large and small, would be capitalized by those employed
within them; and that in consequence there would be little or no
demand for "loans," and that interest rates would go to zero, would
it not be well for us to enlighten the people accordingly?
There are
large numbers who claim that our policy does not go far enough.
They assert that, while we would effectively deal with landowners
we would leave untouched other parasites, e.g., the drawers of interest;
and they ask, "Why not socialize everything and cut out all parasitism?" These people are electors and we must get their votes before
we can hope to bring in our policy.
I, for one, believe that so long
as we preach (with Beckwith) that, under free conditions, wages will
double or treble, and that "interest and wages rise together," so long
will we fail to put our plan over. I contend, therefore, that it is
the utmost importance that we make up our minds on this point,
and the only way we can arrive at a decision is by free and open discussion. If we decide that interest (under free conditions) will be
eliminated, and can prove this, the objection that we "do not go far
enough" will be completely answered.
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