The herald., 1898-02-27
Activities Of Bolton Hall for
Single Tax and the Long
shoremen's Union.
4 NAN OF THE PEOPLE
Amusing Story About DR..
Parkhurst and a Veteran
Green Goods Man.

New York, Feb. 17.-Dr. John Hall,
whose recent troubles with the Fifth
Avenue Presbyterian Church nave
brought him more prominently before
the public than he has been at any
time since the question of his wedding
fees was aired in print, is always well
worth the consideration of newspaper
readers. Yet he is not one whit more
interesting than his son, Bolton Hall,
albeit the latter is not nearly so well
known as his eloquent, godly father.
Bolton Hall is a lawyer by profession,
and diligent and prosperous therein.
But he is far more enthusiastic as
single tax agitator and as an active Of
fetal in the Longshoremen's Union
than in the trying Of court cases and
the drawing of legal documents; and
his office in lower Broadway is recog-
nized as one of the centers both by
those who accept the tenets of the late
Henry George, and those who load and
unload ocean-going ships.
Bolton Halls position with regard to
the Longshoremens Union, of which
he has for some years been treasurer,
Is unique In the true meaning of
the term. Other men of means, or
those engaged in professional life.
have essayed to give practical help
to labor organizations in many in
| stances. But, so far as I know,
Bolton Hall is the only man not orig
inally wage Garner. in this country
at least who has been able to win the
entire confidence of organized body of
workingmen. This he has secured to
such an extent that he has not only
been put in complete control of the
Longshoremen's finances, but is con-
suited with regard to all matters Of
vital Importance.
A MAN OF THE PEOPLE.
OF course this state of affairs could
not have been brought about had not
Mr.. Hall been able TO enter thoroughly
into their point of view and sympathize
fully with their aspirations. Most men
of Mr.. Halls social, professional and
financial standing find it impossible to
see things as the wage earners see
them, or to understand their hopes and
fears; and it is not surprising that this
is So Nor is 1t to be wondered at that
workingmen perceive the truth at once
when one who lacks real knowledge
and sympathy "stoops' to assist them
At the very beginning of Mr.. Halls ef-
forts in the longshoremen's behalf, they
saw clearly that he did not feel that he
was getting down to lower level than
his own in seeking to befriend them,
and they were overjoyed to have the
help of a thoroughly practical man Of
affairs in conducting the money de-
partment of their organization.
His object in helping to promulgate
t. ~
the same impulses as his work in be-
half of the longshoremen. 1t would be
impossible for the most pronounced op-
ponent of the George theories to listen
for five minutes to Mr.. Halls argu-
ments thereon without being convinced
that he honestly believes their adoption
would be productive of great good to
the people. His sincerity is beyond al
question, and his words have undoubt-
edly won the adherence of thousands
PREACHING THE SINGLE TAX.
Mr. Halls chief method of spreading
what he considers the true economic
gospel would have met with much op-
position few years age and is not al
| ways received with cordiality to-day
He was the originator of the scheme
for the delivery of single tax addresses
| in the churches on Sunday mornings
and he has himself preached many SER
mons on the land question,-though ]
, believe he is not an ordained minister
) A large number of Mr. Halls sermons
have been delivered in Canada. where
the newspapers have almost invariably
: given much space to reporting them
, But he has also spoken from many pull
pits in the United States, including that
I of the King street branch of the Fifth
Avenue Presbyterian church OF course
, he preached there by the permission OF