The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-07-26
HOME OF THE SINGLE TAX,
Fafrhope, Where the Referendum In
an Established Process.
Ernest B. CASTOR. in The Independent

Ernest %. Iastoh, in Inc Independent.
Upon gentle activity on the east shore
chosen for Its natural beauty, lies the village
or Fairhope. Industrious, energetic embody-
ing novel experiment in new methods of
dealing with vexing social problems. the
community has more than justified the hopes
Of its friends and we'll wishers
Beginning in January. 1895. with five fami-
iies OF Iowans, In a pine forest on the east
ern shore of the bay, sixteen miles southeast
or Mobile, Fairhope has now seyenty-iye
families and is growing with accelerating
speed The five families comprising its first
settlers nailed from Des Moines. They SUBJ
scribed each $500 for a membership in the
colony, with which tract Of land was pur-
chased and decided to the present landlord of
the town. the "Fairhope Industrial Associa-
ton" The association now owns 400 acres
and is continually making fresh purchases
Forests have been cut down; land has been
mas been put up; wharf and a steamer
Any person, even though he be Indifferent
or actually hostile to the central idea-single
tax-may lease the land in Fairhope for
ninety-nine years on the same terms as one
fully imbued with the principle Rental val
uations, determined annually by the "Execu-
tive Council" are subject to a referendum
to the whole resident rent-paying member
ship. and approximate per cent. of the es-
timated value. exclusive of all improve
ments. The best city lots, each one about
one-fourth of an acre, can be had at 81 60 TO
about SIS each per annum Outlying lots
cost less. Farm lands are held as cheaply as
20 cents per acre. up to 500 annually The
rental charges represent the entire cost OF
holding lands in the colony, for state and
county taxes are paid by the colony authori-
In 1903 the rent paid by the settlers Will
be about $l0OG; the state and county taxes
will be about $780, The difference amount
ing to $500. win go TO the community in the
form or pubic improvements. water sys-
tenn Is provided and water Is free TO all colo
nists: When lighting systems. street cars,
telephones and all public utilities shall have
been called into being the services will also
be free.
A part Of the rent is used to supplement
the meager public school fund yearly giving
where other districts have from three TO
five. Two commodious lighthouses have been
erected and are free to settlers. One of the
is also an accomplished fact.
The community Is governed entirely by the
initiative and referendum and the isnpera-
tive mandate Ten per cent. of the members
Of the association may demand a general
vote upon any question affecting the inter-
ests of the community, and the trustees are
bound to call an election for the purpose
of some order of the Executive Council or
the retention of an Official. a simple ma
jority prevails. The purchase of member
equal voting rights. Children OF members
have to acquire voting rights on the same
terms their parents.
Compactness of settlement, which is but
another name for the complete and normal
use of land, IL actually to be seen at Fair
hope. Scarcely any vacant lots cape be-
tween houses In the village. The taking for
public OF the full annual value OF the
sites discourages the holding of lands for
mere speculation Fairhope Will never pre-
sent the spectacle. so familiar In the West.
| OF miles upon miles of "city lots offered at
| fabulous prices, of curbs and streets cut
| through prairies and forests: or city" of
10000 people with an incorporated area sum
| cient to house ten times the number. Nor