The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1905-02-23

1t is often urged that while the single
tax may have merit as a fiscal meas
ure, as a system of taxation, it can
not be expected to change human ma
ture and work the social and moral re-
generation which some claim it would
do. Most of its critics are emphatic in
maintaining that it is not a panacea
for all ills Of civilization.
That, of course, is statement easily
made in the absence of evidence and
so plausibly safe that no one will pre-
sumo to deny it. Single takers do not
claim that their plan is panacea.
They have maintained that it would
have a great moral influence and fur
nish conditions under which moral IN
fluences would he more potent than
under the existing system OF taxation.
If Fairhope, by it's example, teaches
either the affirmative or negative OF
this proposition, it will be OF great
value as an object lesson. Next to
demonstrating what is truth, the most
valuable service that caa be done is
to make clear what is erroneous.
Being yet in it's infancy, Fairhope
can not be expected to have fully DEM
onstrated any of the propositions that
are involved in the single tax system
Enough, however. has been accom-
plished to show strong tendencies
which may reasonably be supposed to
increase as the system is developed.
It is the purpose of this article to point
out some of these tendencies.
One of the first things observable was
the fact that Improvements have been
stimulated rather than retarded by the
plan. People Of limited means COM
ing to Fairhope were able to secure
land upon which to build their homes
without the expense of purchase. Upon
the payment Of the current rent for the
year, they could take immediate posses
sion under lease for ninety-nine years
with no condition except the payment
OF the proper rent, as it accrues from
time to time. This plan makes such
people home builders from the start.
The lease assures them that the rents
will be levied on the land only and
will not be increased because of any
improvements thai they may put upon
the leased lands. These improvements
belong exclusively to the lessee and are
rendered secure to him by the terms
OF the lease.
Moreover all the taxes that the state
and county levies, upon his improve
ments and the personal property he
holds upon the leased lands are paid
out of the rents that are collected from
him and other lesses 1t follows that
the more improvements and personal
property he has, the greater benefit he
receives from tax exemption.
In other communities the more i'm
provements and personal property one
has, the more he becomes the victim of
taxation Moreover, in other commu-
mites, one is able to lease property
only upon terms that are i'll every way
unfavorable to him, both as to secur-
ity of possession and conditions of use.
In FairhOpe, he has ninety-nine year
lease which gives him as complete pos
session during his life time, as if he
to his assignee This security of pos
session combined with the exemption
from increased rent through taxation
OF his improvements encourages the
instinct of home making, and incident
ally stimulates labor to the extent of
such encouragement.
On the eastern shore of Mobile bay
similarly situated to Fairhope, are four
other towns which have been in exis-
tence since 'befoh the wah,' but none
OF them show the enterprise and ad.
vancement that is manifested at Fair
hope.
The second most noticeable fact in
the application of the Fairhope prin.
ciple is the certainty that sufficient
funds can be obtained to answer the
public needs. This point is so self
evident as to need no demonstration
and yet the question is often raised
If the resources of a community will
enable labor to pay rent to the land
lord and taxes to the government, they
certainly will be sufficient to provide
all needed revenues when tribute t.
the private landlord is entirely elimi
mated. AS a matter of fact, the reve
nues available for purely local purposes