Robert M. Hutchins on Property Taxation

Joseph Thompson

[An excerpt ("Don't Give 'Em Up!" from an undated pamphlet,
Simple Talks on Taxation, published by the author]

… If I ever run into a hardshell from now on, I'm going to shut up. But fast! … Why? … Gosh! I got into an argument with Bill Ingalls, the other day, and did I get nowhere! … What was the argument? … I was talking about Hutchin's article. … Oh, I've heard about it but I haven't seen it. … Well, you'll want to. Robert Hutchins, you know, he was President of - was it Chicago University? He said to stop taxing buildings - put the tax on the land only. … Gee! Did he say that! I knew he wrote something. I must get it. But what about Bill Ingalls? How long ago was it you were talking with him? … Oh, ten days - two weeks, maybe. … He didn't agree, I s'pose. … Didn't agree! Gosh! Time he got through, Hutchins was a Communist - I was a damn fool falling for every crazy notion - our taxes were perfect - then came "ability to pay" and "across the board" and "make everyone tax-conscious." Boy! Did I get nowhere! I give him up! … That's where you're wrong. Never give anybody up. … Why not? … Because you haven't the least idea how much of an effect you're having. Your man will battle with you, like hell. He'll admit nothing. If you make a point that teaches him something or, even, that he secretly has to agree with, you'll - … I don't see any point in working over someone who's dead set against you. … Let me finish. The reason I went on about Bill Ingalls was I was with him and Sandy Burke, yes - … Sandy Burke! There's a hardshell, if ever there was one! … Let me finish. Sandy was saying they ought to raise the sales tax and relieve the property owner, when out comes Bill Ingalls - Bill Ingalls, mind you, and says "Wait a minute, Sandy, this feller Hutchins -- He's a college President, mind you, he says don't tax buildings, the tax ought to only be on the land." He claims that'll make busi - … Bill Ingalls said that! … Yeah. And Sandy said "Well, that feller Hutchins must be a Commie and you're a damn fool, falling for every crazy notion!" … Gosh! That's just what Bill said to me! … Sure. And that's why I say: Never give anyone up. You never can tell what effect you're having, because no-one's going to admit he's wrong. Don't expect it. … You mean I ought to go right on arguing! That's where I live! … Well, yes, in a way. But don't get them in the habit of saying "Oh hell, here comes old Land Value Taxation, again!"