Chapter III 
c 
THE THIRD LEG OF THE SINGLE TAX TRIPOS 
THE ULTIMATE BURDENLESSNESS OF A 
LAND TAX 
EVERY LANDOWNER IS EXEMPT FROM TAXATION ON 
HIS INVESTMENT, TO THE EXTENT OF THE TAX 
TO WHICH HIS LAND WAS SUBJECT AT TIME OF 
HIS PURCHASE, AND THEREFORE, PRACTICALLY 
SPEAKING,. NEARLY ALL LAND IS TO-DAY OWNED 
FREE OF ANY TAX BURDEN 
The purpose of the following illustration* is to 
make clear by means of iteration and reiteration 
two facts, viz.: 
Fact I. The land ownerf of to-day who has pur 
chased since the present tax was imposed escapes 
taxation upon his investment. 
Fact II. The burden of a land tax cannot be made 
to survive a change of ownership. 
* The statements and arguments used in this illustration deal only with the 
general principles of taxation, and assume such conditions as prevail in the 
United States, including for instance, lack of universality and uniformity in 
taxation. Single tax terms and arguments are studiously excluded. 
•j- Care is taken to designate owner and user in their respective capacities, 
whether they be two persons, or two combined in one. 
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