Industrial freedom. [volume] (Edison, Wash.) 1898-1???, 1898-10-08
Fairhope Colony.

| SlC"L Ic0pGCU anu sympathy lOF luOSe
who, like us at Fairhope. are deter
mined to make their good theories, or
what they believe to be such, work:
who are perfectly willing to try the
remedies they offer others upon them
selves. | believe too in the coloniza-
ton movement, for those who because
of lack of capital or ability to exploit
others or because their consciences
will not permit them to do so, cannot
thrive at the expense of their less for
tunate brethren.
have noted the proposition which
has recently been adopted by large
majority for the federated autonomous
colonies, the main purpose of which |
take to be to afford opportunity for CO.
| tempOraneous trial of different colony
| plans. This seems to me an excellent
idea and one whose adoption reflects
great credit upon your membership.
1t has impressed me to write you
suggesting the establishment under the
auspices of the B c c of colony SINH
lar to ours, which may involve some
change from existing customs, but
which good many of your members
may now be ready for. OF course should
they desire to go further they can then
do so.
Fairhope, as most of your readers
| In l.
the Single Tax Colony because our dis
tinctive feature is the application, as
far as possible under existing laws, of
the single tax theory. Organized at Des
Moines Ia, early in 81, our colony was
established here in the winter of '94
and %, so we have had nearly four years
of practical experience. We have not
set the world on fire-manv people have
never heard of us-but we are making
steady progress and think we have
learned some things.
We are organized as a corporation
under the laws of Iowa. membership
including one share of stock, costing
one hundred dollars. One membership
and share gives both husband and wife
a right to vote and hold office.
We have the initiative, referendum
and imperative mandate. Having these
we ale prepared for emergencies, but
seldom need to put them in operation,
as officers knowing they can be over
ruled or replaced at any time seldom
run counter to public sentiment. De-
tails of business are attended to by our
Executive Council of five, each being
head of department of public business;
members being free to attend and par
ticipate in all its deliberations.
The title to our lands is held by the
association, but individuals hold in
severalty, under lease from the associa-
ton. paying an annual rental. deter
mined by the executive council subject
of course to review by the membership
and designed to equali2e the varying
advantages of location and natural
qualities of different tracts and to con-
common benefit. all values attaching to
such lands not due to the efforts or eV-
penditures of the lessees.
In consideration of the payment of
this rent, the association agrees to pay
all taxes levied by the civil authorities
upon the improvements and personal
property of lessees-moneys and credits
excepted. The remainder of the sum
received from rentals is applied to
local expenditures.
The association is pledged to the
establishment and operation as fast As
practicable of the necessary plants for
the supplying of water, light, power,
transportation, schools, parks, libraries,
etc. For expenses of the public service
the association issues its promises to re-
ceive, not to pay, which it receives at
par in payment of every possible Obli-
CATION which may be incurred to it.
The acceptance of these is optional up
on the members but obligatory upon
the association. Not one dollar in L 5
money has been paid by the association
for services in the last three years, all
the services needed having been readily
obtainable for script and very little is
outstanding.
This is the simple program upon
which we are working and which | take
the liberty of commencing to you. |
know it will seem to many of you en-
tirely too simple to accomplish desired
results, but its strength is largely in its
simplicity. The best machinist is he
who can design and build machine to
do Il certain work with the least possi-
Bile number of working parts. | am
often reminded that the problem of de-
vising a proper social system is essen
TALLY the same. Completely means
friction, lost power, and, where the
forces to deal with are human units,
dissatisfaction, disputes, factions. rival
ri.- ianlousips and finally aithap aDor-