The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1903-11-09

leases read that annual assessments
shall be so apportioned as to eQualize
the varying advantages of the nat,fal
qualities and locations of the different
tracts. and convert into the treasury
of the association for the common
benefit of its lessees all values at
tached to such lands. not due to the
efforts or expenditures of the lessees. u
In return for the rent. the associa-
tion pays all taxes. so that the les
the taxes on land improvements. This
see has no argument with the tax in
antsitor. The association also pays
the taxes on land improvements. This
provision makes public interest per-
sonal matter with everyone and slim
ulates it greatly
The charter of the association pro-
hibits It's contracting interest bear
ing debts, which practically makes
public debt an unknown quantity. In
dividuals may not mortgage land. as
the title rests with the association.
This leaves the situation free from
private or public mortgage debts. This
is a boast which, perhaps, not another
town or village in the country can put
forth. and under the system Of reve-
nue. debt Is not needed. it Is claimed.
The income of Fairhope. 1t is said,
is several times greater than the
taxes.
There is left annually sum sew
arnl tinSaS In aycacs nf tha
which will be spent in improvements
such as the village from time to time
needs, An electric light plant and
telephone system are now being con-
templated. to be owned by the WI
lage. Already the excess has provid-
ed public schools. bridges, roads.
warehouses on the wharfs. and public
free water service.
A wharf. built 1900 feet into the
bay, Is owned by the company. II
was necessary to go out this far to
reach a depth sufficient to float the
associations steamer, which makes
daily trips to and from Mobile for the
purpose of carrying passengers and
freight. A fec of cents Is charged
for transporting packages over the
wharf, and foot passengers are as.
sessed the same spm. In this way
$500 was realized last year, above the
cost OF maintenance.
A complete system oS direct iegis-
lation In matters of common interest
prevails. The executive council OF
governing body. is amenable to tn,
application OF the initiative and refer.
sndum. Each act of the administra
tion as well as the tenure of ONCE
whether elected or appointed. Is sub
jeot to popular control.
This application of the initiativ,
and referendum " designed to en-
able the public to easily remove al
ofioer no longer satisfactory. In ad
dition. all elections are by secret bal
lot. Upon the ballots are printed tn,
names of those who hold ofYice. ant
a blank space Is left In which to In
sert the name of any person the vote
may desire to support. This doe
away with cliaues.
Fairhope was given postoffice
| which. In Its second year. was mad
money order Office. The commun
ity IL becoming a winter resort 10
wealthy northerners. who revel in tn
magnificent climate, The hotel is sui,
cd TO the requirements Of tho mos
particular, and many families TAX
boarders.
| Some OF the Weather residents Q
Mobile are building In Fdirhope. an
In time 1t Ia expected the ooamunit
will become a suburb Of this city. A
who take up a residence in the vi
lage become. sooner or later. belle,
ers In the theory on which the vi
lage is founded. and In this the sinsl
takers hope to hnd great stimuli
to their Fairhope.
For tho past six months jam