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THROUGHOUT the world all who hold in esteem the philosophy of Henry George mourn the loss of a true friend, ARTHUR MADSEN. Many of his British associates in the movement which he had served with such notable distinction for more than half a century were with him when he was taken, so swiftly and unexpectedly that even among those seated close by were some who were unaware that he had said farewell.

Arthur Madsen died in the early afternoon of Sunday, April 7, during the Weekend Conference sponsored by the Henry George School of Social Science and held at Shornells, Bostall Heath, Kent. As Principal of the School he had looked forward with the keenest pleasure to the prospect of meeting old comrades and making new friends among the many students attending their first Henry George Conference. By a happy coincidence he was able to open the proceedings on his seventy-seventh birthday, an occasion that was suitably celebrated by a social gathering the evening before his death. In high spirits and seemingly good health he derived the greatest happiness from the presentation that was made, and from making the acquaintance of every person present.

He took his place in the conference room shortly after 10 o'clock on that fateful Sunday morning. He came in quietly during the proceedings, a little paler than usual but alert, relaxed and genial, excusing himself as he went to his place. Accompanying him were Mrs. Madsen and their niece, Miss Jean Ewart, his lifelong friend, Mr. Ralph D. Young, whom he had known as a boy in Edinburgh, and Mrs. Young. An hour later he was on his feet, making a memorable contribution to the discussion on the guest speaker's address. Quietly but firmly he marshalled a cogent, reasoned and persuasive case against the Labour Party's proposal, which had just been described, that the local authorities should acquire compulsorily and manage some six million rented homes. Fundamentally, he said, the housing problem was a poverty question, a by-product of the larger question, land monopoly. He rejected as irrelevant the paternalistic policy adopted by the Labour Party and showed how the real solution to the vexed question of living accommodation lay in throwing open the land by collecting the economic rent in the way shown by Henry George. Later, when the speaker, replying, said that if cases of individual hardship occurred when houses were municipalised, the help of the local Member of Parliament should be enlisted, his voice rang out clear and strong: "What, on our bended knees!" Almost immediately afterwards the unquenchable spirit departed his body; a great campaigner for truth and justice, freedom and equal opportunity for all had fallen, his armour untarnished, steadfast to the end, an example to his fellows.

Had he given of himself more sparingly, he might have been among us yet, guiding, inspiring and encouraging all with whom he was able to meet or to correspond. Last September he overtaxed his health by the arduous journey he made, accompanied by Mrs. Madsen, to Holland, where the next International Conference may be held, and to Germany. The visit to the latter country was made on behalf of the Robert Schalkenbach Foundation of New York to make initial arrangements with publishers and others for the possible publication of a German translation of the new condensed edition of Progress and Poverty. To many he described his trip as a " busman's holiday " but privately he confided that he had worked late into every night until too tired to sleep. Returned to England he drove himself relentlessly day and night, his only relaxation being a free hour or two at the weekend to walk in Richmond Park or to tussle with a chess problem in The Observer or to dip into Milton's "Paradise Lost." Twice his health compelled him to slacken the pace and to work only at home. Yet even at this testing time there were matters that claimed and received his attention at the office, and with an almost boyish enthusiasm he planned with his colleagues the changes to LAND & LIBERTY. Finally as November drew to a close he yielded reluctantly to medical advice. He was away from the office for nearly three months but during most of this period he kept in almost daily touch with his colleagues. Christmas was spent quietly at home, but early in the New Year the man whose robust health and iron constitution had kept him always free from illness was admitted to Westminster Hospital for observation and a fortnight's enforced rest. After convalescence at home and at Bournemouth he returned to the office where he worked right up to the day of the Conference, pale and a stone lighter but with his zestful energy and health apparently fully restored.

To Mrs. Madsen, his beloved companion, and to Miss Ewart, we convey our sincere sympathy on behalf of all in the Henry George movement.

Some Tributes

It is quite impossible to pay adequate tribute to his wonderful devotion to our cause. Many men and women have believed in it and helped but none I know of in this century has worked so wholeheartedly and ably for so long as he. His going is a great grief to all individually and a tragic loss for our movement. The best memorial we can offer is for each of us to resolve to give ourselves more actively than ever to further the cause he loved so well. - FRANK A. W. LUCAS, Q.C., Johannesburg.

He never spared himself in the great fight he waged to secure the adoption of just principles. His great knowledge relating to the adoption of those principles throughout the world was always freely available to all who sought information from him on many questions. Reform work calls for a great measure of sacrifice from all who really "see the light," and Arthur gave great service in his endeavour to make the world a better place for all to live in. He was one of Nature's noblemen and will be much missed by a large circle of friends in many lands who have learned the true value of the great service he rendered to suffering humanity ... a fine and faithful leader. - E. J. CRAIGIE, South Australia.

What appealed to me about Arthur Madsen was, and is, his life - A Man with a Vision! That kind of thing never dies - it is immortal. I am sure that he would not like us to praise him, but rather to consider his indomitable will - whatever were the odds against him, he fought unflinchingly on. It would be unworthy to attempt to enumerate the difficulties which he encountered - only a man convinced of Truth as he was could have kept on with a single eye to victory, if not in our day, but in future generations. - FRANK WELCH, Pinner.

We are deeply saddened. We have lost a life-long and beloved friend and the movement one of its great leaders. - AGNES and MARGARET DE MILLE, New York. (By cable.)

I know he would have asked to close in full activity and noble service to all who suffer and endure. - REV. MERVYN STEWART, Cromer.