The Land Owner Pays

The Ypsilanti Sentinel does not take kindly to the Courier's just criticism of the Henry George single tax theory as exeniplified in assessing property for the sewers being built in this city, and says: "The Ann Arbor Courier claims the single tax to be unjust, because the plan was adopted in assessing the cost of its sewer system. It is doubtful if the idea was followed, but assuming the Courier is not mistaken, it does not follow that the single tax is wrong. The assesssment upon land values should only be made for general taxation ; special benefits should be assessed in proportion to their value." Not satisfied with saying that much, it keeps on in this way : "In Ann Arbor bonds were issued, (and this makes us doubt the premise of the Courier), the city at large assuming the entire burden." The city at large assumed the burden for what is known as the "main sewer," into which all the street lateral flow. But the laterals which are uow being built by districts, havethe cost assessed upon the land valué alone, and thongh bonds are issued to pay for the work, the land owners have to pay for the sewer in front of their land just the same, these special sewer taxes going to pay the bonds. A more unjust scheme of assessment was never devised. The benefit to be derived is not considered at all, neither is the fiontage, but just the value of the land. And the tax-payers here are heartily sick of such an unjust method.