The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-03-11
THE SINGLE-TAX IDEA
MEMBERS or THE PROGRESS CLrB
WILL COLoNIzE.
Will Build Their Own Town and Run
GLIDING the Ground-Rent Idea.

The Progress Club met yesterday after
noon and discussed "A Model City, Rev
F. o. Ballard, who was to have addressed
the club upon this subject, was unable to be
present because of illness. In his absence
S. D. Lafuze and j. Fl. Springer unfolded
to the club. their plans for the establish
ment of an ideal colony near Indianapolis
The plans have commenced to assume def
mite shape, and the papers for incorpora-
ton are already prepared. Last Friday
night those most interested held meeting
and elected Albert Krull president; Con-
rad Rusk vice president and s. d. Lafuze
secretary and treasurer. The new officers
are only temporary, as it is intended to
hold another election as soon as the $4,000
capital stock is subscribed. The new CT
ganization has for its foundation the single
tax theories Of Henry George, and there is
to be no such thing as individual possession
of land. Several sites are under considera-
ton, but it is desired to establish the
model town north of the city onsthe Broad
Ripple street-car line.
The shares are 500 each, and there are
two hundred of them. Any person of good
character over twenty-one years of age can
take one share in the company. 1t is pro-
posed to buy twenty acres and divide it
into two hundred lots. The latter will be
the property of the company, but each
member will be entitled to the use of one
lot, upon which he build a home. He
will be given a lease but no deed, and he
cannot speculate upon his lease. The board
of directors are to assess rents for each
lot, which are to be merely enough to pay
the actual expenses of the town. The COM
pany VIII pay the taxes
The projectors of the scheme think the
average rents will be sufficient TO pave the
streets, lay sidewalks, plant trees, build a
water works. erect gas plant and lay
natural gas mains. Natural gas, water and
light is to be paid for by the Company. The
shareholders will pay for these privileges
In the rents. There is 10 bes no such thing
light is to be furnished at actual cost. Each
landholder, being member of the COM
p ta San vote upon al aues5ions, lncluding
the club did not agree with the plans pro-
posed. One man becsrle very indignant
and said it was money-making scheme.
IF the members of this club go into this
thing he said, 'they are simply putting
their necks under the heel OF monopoly, a
thing we have been fighting for two years.
A man who builds a house on one of these
lots loses all Of his freedom and is at the
he pays for and helps to improve, and he
has got to live on 1t whether he wants to
or not | am opposed to any such scheme ,,,a
rather live under monopoly or money
than a monopoly of freedom Other mem
bers of the club laughed, and the man
grabbed up his hat and coat and left the
hall in haste
Mr.. Springer explained that there was to
be no such thing as monopoly, and the de-
parted stranger labored under a false Inn
preston He said ii was simply a coop
erative scheme, whereby two hundred peo-
pie could obtain homes and at the same
time have congenial surroundings, schools
and a hall for religious services. with all
the other advantages enjoyed by people who
can own property down town. 1t is said
that about seventy-five shares have been
taken. Mr.. Krull is interested in the whole
sale confectionery business. Mr.. Springer
is interested in the manufacture of boxes
and Mr.. Lafuze is a lawyer. with an office
i'm the Lombard Building. AS soon as the
entire two hundred shares have been sub
scribed the members of the association will
file the incorporation papers, elect directors