A little Bedtime Story
on
The Land Question
for
a
Bright little Boy

*––––––––––*

This is an undiscovered
ISLAND
and therefore
it represents 
no value
to
anyone

This
same island was 
discovered by
the Indians
who named it
Manhattan

Manhattan
was sold by
the Indians
in 1643
for
$24.00

From 1643
all through the years
to the present day
the population increased
and
Land Values
likewise increased
so that

Today
the land values of Manhattan
amount to
$5,322,637,085.00
(1941-42)

The Astor family alone,
though living in England,
collected in rents a few years ago
from the land they owned
in Manhattan
$35 million annually
yet–
the whole of Manbattan in 1643 was worth only
$24.00

Imagine, now,
that by some magic,
all the inhabitants of
Manhattan were
suddenly to vanish!

Would there be any value
to the land in spite of
all the improvements?

Would the Astor family 
still be able to collect 
35 millions annually?

Imagine, please
that another miracle takes place
and
that all the inhabitants of
Manhattan suddenly return

The Astor family and
Trinity Church
and the other landlords
would brighten up considerably
wouldn’t they?

So,

What, then, gives
Value to land ?
Improvements
or
the pressure
of
Population?

Moral
(Every Bedtime Story ends that way)

Collect for the Community
the ‘Values created by the Community’

Leave to the individual that
Which he himself creates

The Rent of Land being
sufficient for all Community needs,

ALL
Taxes, Tariff  and Privileges
Of every kind will be
ABOLISHED