The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1911-10-03
SINGLE TAX MASK
Progressive League Is Not Olh
IN Open Ia Campaign
1n,tiative and Referendum ls De-
eiered to 30 Cover For Common
Ownership of Land.


Ownership Of Land.
The only activity In the selection
ef delegates to the approaching con-
stitutional convention, aside from
chat of "wets" and "drys," is shown
~ Rev. Herbert Bigelow, who has
In nearly all the counties containing
big cities or large labor vote formed
progressive constitution leagues"
says the Chardon Republican.
During the years in which Rev.
Btgelow covered the state, aud news
papers with the doctrines Of Henry
George under direction of the late
Tom l.. Johnson, many wondered If
Mr.. johnson personally paid the ex-
penBe.
A pamphlet whose front cover
bears the portrait of Henry George,
and the words Single Tax Confer
snce Held In New York City, Nov.
10 and 20, 1910, Under the Joseph
Fels Fund Commission" is in hand.
The financial report shows that
Tom l.. Johnson was given 100000 by
Feis in 1910 He gave the Ohio Di-
Fsot Legislation league $3,29b.42, and
On page 4 OF the report it is com
plained that in 1909 $3,2S9I7 was
used in Ohio with barren results so
far an legislative action was concern
ed" These items put visible means
OF support under MIR. Bigelow.
Who is Fels? The report of the
single tax conference indicates the
quality of his personality in this par
aEraph:
MT Joseph Fels, being called on 10 re-
port European conditions. said II had
boen but few years since the light OF
Henry Georges philosophy broke into his
''befuddled brain" Continuing he said:
Il want no consideration for tho money
have contributed to this cause. ] want
no consideration save that which Joseph
Fels may be entitled to on account OF
mis- own work, but none for his money
damn the money"
Why Isn't the Henry George"
money being spent in preaching sin
gle tax instead of initiative and ref
one and a better one. Mr.. Pigelow
could never get organized farmers to
work with organized labor with the
ultimate object of putting all taxes
on land.
The better reason shall be proved
by sentences from the report of the
New York meeting, Of which J. ID.
Miller, editor Of the Single Tax Re
view, was secretary.
From the report of the commission
In order to enlarge the list OF the
states in which we might have hope
fail field for efficient work, and to
strengthen the position of our workers
IN Oregon and Missouri, we complied
with the requests ~ single takers In
Arizona, Arkansas. New Mexico Col
'erado and Minnesota to send speakers
tnto these states to assist In the cam
Neigns for the initiative and referendum.
in every cnse In which this was done,
tho request came from earnest workers
sor the single tax. who intend to use the
''psople's power 10 achieve that reform.
This Oregon campaign was merely one
-sf preparation for a fight for straight
angle tax In 1912.
The election Of members to constitu-
atonal conventions In New Mexico and
Arizona gave US chance to create two
hew openings for the single tax. through
Nshe election Of delegates pledged to put
che Initiative aud referendum In the new
constitutions
Single Tax Now Possible.
DIR. William Preston Hin OF ST. Louis
said, because Of the fact that the people
.of his state have the initiative and ref
~srendum, 1t is now possible 10 make an
effectiVe campaign for the land tax In
missouri.
John u. White of lllinois The initla-
tive and referendum Ia not single tax,
but IL is a part of the great democratic
movemont, giving the people the power
40 govern themselves. ana thus the pow
cd To substitute the land tax for the
present iniqutous system OF taxing in
dustry
Mr. White got $l,51493 for work
In Rhode Island, and the Single Tax
league of that state got y3,7404l.
Subsequently Mr., White was sent TO
New Mexico and Arizona with sue.
cessful results
J. ". Rnlrton OF Washington. ID. C.
"Ab for direct leglslation, II bears to sin
Eio tax as close IA relation as lock does
10 the door
W, s, J'Ren: II read Progress and
Poverty In 1882. and | went Just an
crazy over the single tax Ideas as any
one else ever did. learned what the In
stiative and referendum is and then
ysw the way tn the single tax"
This gentleman secured the pro.
gresslve legislation In Oregon. The
financial report for 1910 shows SIG.
T7b given him during that year.
Burton j. Kndrlck In McCmre's
magazine for August, on the Initiative
md referendum in Oregon, says:
The most active member OF tho peo-
pae's Power League Is the inevitable W.
tiaH q, IRON"
Lincoln Steifens, the magazine writ
sr. was paid 5000 in each OF flvs
months In 1910 by the single tax con-
eercnce for publicity.
The longest speech reported in ths
proceedings was that OF Henry
George. Jr.. who made pair OF his
pa and TolstOl.
II will be interesting to note what
happens In the event OF the grangera
catching the odor OF naphthA soap on
Mr.. Blgelow. thereby learning that
they are aiding men who own no
land In putting all taxes on those