Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-03-09
CITY AND DISTRICT.
THE ANTI.POvERTY SOCIETY.
the OPganixasion Adopts . C0nsstsu.

The Anti-Poverty society which has been exist
rg for some weeks under a temporary orraniza-
ion, met last night at Hilton Han 10 perfect its
organization. Mr.. II. J. Brown presided. Mr. Paul
T. Bowen presented the report OF the committee tc
draw up constitution Reconstruction declared
the name OF the society to be THE Washington
nti-Poverty society," Its objects are set forth as
follows: "The abolition OF poverty by appropriate
means: tut particularly by securing to all persons
an equal right to the use OF the earth and
an equal interest in those social creations
and utilities commonly known as franchises
The methods by which the society proposes TO OBJ
tain its objects are set forth as follows: 1.-The ed-
cation OF ourselves and OF the general public In
principles by discussions lectures the circula-
ton Of literature and other appropriate means,
secure the enactment OF laws removing taxes
from ali forms OF industry and Its products and
placing them on land values, ana establishing as
electric light works. and all other public utilities
" hose existence rests on legislative consent and
which are mOnOpOlistic In their natures"
only one clause In the constitution, as reported
called out objections This clause declared that
eft shall not be In order for any member in discus
sion In pubic or open meetings, under the direc-
ton OF the society," assail the objects OF the so
cety, Is herein set forth, nor 10 deny the efficacy
OF single tax on land vaiues as means OF secur-
Ing Subst lntlally equal right TO the use Of the
earth; on TO deny the eXpediency OF the people In
their organized capacity, conducting business en-
terprses OF general utility. which are monopolis-
legislative grant,"
mr. E I. Peters Said he would be unable TO sign
the constitution n n cont aimed this clause, he
was not prepared 10 advocate the single tax lt
deemed by Henry George. Other members
thought to adopt such provision would serve to
Keep OJf many earnest land reformers who agreed
with them on general principles, but were not yet
satisfied &C the efficacy OF the proposed single tax.
other members, however. Insisted on retaining
the single tax clause, claiming that IL was neces-
STy them To have "a definite program In order
% make progress. The constitution, however. was
amended by striking out the word single and
was then adopted
The constitution provided novel way OF choos-
jrg officers. which, IL was claimed, secured more
J,TIsct representation OF the sentiments OF the
members IN the board OF officers. The only officer
chosen by Jhs firsct vote Of the society Is clerk
who keeps n hook Then, each member has a right
u vote for one efnber OF an executive committee,
to comprise not more than seven members. He
makes known his choice 10 the proxy clerk, who
keeps q record OF votes. Votes have TO be renewed
unce In three months and may he changed at any
firIe. The seven persons at any time having the
highest nun her OF votes constitute the executive
committee. This executive committee, each OF
whom has many votes as are credited 10 his
IayOr in the proxy book, elect the president and
other officers OF the society from among their own
number. Last night Nessrs Bowen, Brown, Mono
han. Geddes, BOyd. and Davis were elected mem
bers OF the executive committee. Before the
meeting closed Mr.. Bowen, in answer TO Inquiries
IRON visitors present. made address setting out
what the Henry George theory was and how IL was
Proposed 10 better the condition OF the world at
large by applying the single-taX scheme.