The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1904-12-01
THE PROGRESS OF FAlRHoPE,
ALA, PROVES TO BE HIGHLY
SATISFACTORY.
Four Hundred People Reside in the
Village Which Is Now Metropolis
Of County.
Of County.

bay, in Baldwin county, is the unique
town of Fairhope, differing in several
essential respects from any community
in the world
This is a brief description OF Fair
hope, given in a little booklet issued
by James Bellangee, treasurer and
special representative of the only
single-tax colony in the United States,
who is now in Denver visiting his
Fairhope is different from other
towns inasmuch as the principles of
single-tax require that every man shall
have the same opportunity and share
the same advantages as every other
man to use the land that is controlled
by the founders of the town.
The colony organized ten years ago
under the laws of Iowa. Fairhope now
has a population Of 400 people. This
population has increased from less
no advantage over the last arrival.
Each may use as much land as he
wishes, but must pay rent for it into
the common tresury. Thus he will not
take more land than he can profitably
use and pay rent for.
Mr.. Bellangee, who formerly was
professor of mathema tics in the nor
NAL school of Nebraska and who is
one of the leading spirits in the move
ment, explains the single tax colony"
as follows:
THE company that was organized in
Des Moines ten Years ago holds the
land as trustee for the people who use
it. Members now have certificates of
membership, which does away with
any stock features. The company re-
allies no pecuniary benefit. The COM
pany simply rents the land on 90
year lease, and these leases provide
that the rents shall be annually ad-
justed so as to equalize the varying
advantages of the different tracts.
These rents are used to pay all taxes
that the state and county levy against
the property, both personal and real,
so the user of land, after paying rent,
has no other charges to pay.
After the taxes are paid, the bal
ance is spent in local self improve
ment. All business is conducted on a
purely individual basis, the same as
elsewhere. The individuals renting the
land cannot mortgage their homes.
ITO be brief, it is proposition to
give every man right to use the land
which is the gift of God to all His
children. The founders of Fairhope de-
termined that in the limited area over
which they have control, these condi-
tions should be realized. They there
fore bought out the original landlords
and hold the title to the land in the
interest of whoever wishes to make
use of it,
Under this method, people settling in
Fairhope, do not have to spend any
money for the purchase of land. Aside
from few dollars for the current
years rent they can invest it all in
productive industry The character of
the improvements and the facilities for
business are said to be far in ad-
vance of any similar town in the south.
If a colonist wishes to transfer his
holdings he simply sells his improve
ments, and his successor pays the rent
These rents are annually adjusted so
as to take all the use the land is
worth. Thus the holder can make no
profit by holding land he does not USE
Since the money he pays in this man.
ner discharges his taxes to the govern
ment and is spent in local improve
In adjusting the rates of the lands,
Mr.. Bellangee states it is found that
some pieces increase in value more
rapidly than others, owing to the more
eligible situation. Therefore, from the
most desirable lots in the village, an
annual income of more than $50 an
acre is raised, while in some of the
farming sections 35 cents an acre is
the annual charge.
The total acreage is 1880. But the
method of farming there by intensive
culture, makes ten acres a good farm.
Mr.. Bellangee states that there are
no town officers. Police regulations are
unnecessary. There is no crime and no
tendency in that direction anywhere
in the community.
The public services provided so far
are lighthouses at the beach, a wharf
more than 1900 feet long, free public
library of over 1000 Volumes the be-
ginning of a water works system
which furnishes water free, and free
tQIonhnno OF