Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-01-17
CLAIMED SINGLE TAX
WILL REMEDY EVILS
Fels Fund Conference Sees No Need
for Pending Bills-Serious
Wrangle Averted.

What appeared to be growing into a
aerious wrangle over the Endorsement
by the Fels fund conference OF pending
legislation In Congress at its morning
meeting today at the Raleigh was end
ed by the recognition Of the sentiment
that the spread of the single tax move
men would Of itself be a corrective
of the evils aimed at by these bills
James A. Robinson of Philadelphia, in
addressing the chair, made the charge
that the action of the body In voting to
table resolution introduced by Mrs. Jen-
ME Monroe Of Washington IN Endorsement
OF Senate bill No. 1886 for the safety OF
life at sea. was due to the fact that the
organization feared to be put on record as
against measure that 1t ought to favor
for every possible reason.
Two sentiments concerning the resolu-
ton confiicted: one to the effect that this
piece Of legislation was a necessity for
the safety of crews and passengers
alike. the other that 1t was nothing more
or less than tax on ships.
The question as to whether the backing
of this and other proposed laws was or
was not germane to the purpose OF the
conference was decided vigorously in
the negative
A resolution favoring the extension of
the franchise to the people of the District
OF Columbia was tabled by the confer
ence.
In his discussion of Colorado as a
storm center" In the single-tax move
ment John B. McGauran of that state
said that he confidently expected that the
example of Pueblo in adopting this form
of taxation would ultimately be followed
5y every one of the thirty-four towns in
colorado whose charters give them home
rule.
Money for Best Advantage.
j. s Wilson. formerly mayor of
Berk eley, Cal. said that the people of
his state naturally wanted the money
used to spread the single tax idea. to
go where IT will be spent to the best
advantage, but gave what he con-
sidered valid reasons why California
should be thoroughly and seriously
considered in this regard.
lie delivered an invitation to the con-
ference to meet in San Francisco in 1918,
with the statement that he thought such
= meeting would accomplish great good
n connection with the worlds fair to be
held In that year.
Lincoln Steffens. who followed him, in
Speaking further of California. voiced the
opinion that the labor ranks in that COM
monwealth are full of single tax senti-
rlent'
T. l. du Pont of Delaware said that
there are now enough single takers in
that state to bring about any desired
legislation along the idea of single
taxation, If they would but cooperate.
4 paper by G. B. Fillebrown, which
was read to the conference made the
statement that the peril of the single
tax in England today. just as 1t was In
Ireland. lies in prematurely trying to
make 1t a political issue instead of letting
II win its own way.
Themes of Speakers.
In his speech at the meeting of the So
ciety last evening Samuel Gompers,
president of the American Federations of
Labor, ascribed his belief in the single
tax theory to Progress and Poverty,
written by Henry George. which he had
read over thirty years ago. That the in
PRODUCTION OF the single tax system would
free the people from the grasp OF the
capitalists was the statement made by
Mr.. Gompers
The existence of no real democracy in
England was given as the cause OF that
country's deplorable conditions by
George Iansbury, former member of
parliament The speaker gave as Amer
icas greatest need larger spirit of
cnm!ty VIII eventually disintegrate the
basic principles of democratic govern
Inent IN the United States, If it Is not
checked.
Ohio, declared that the Legislators OF h
state would. through pressure be COM
PEELED to grant the right of home rule
and put the single tax into effect.
Other speakers were MISS Grace isabei
Coibron of New York. Charles O'Cornel
Hennessy of New Jersey. Alice Thatcher
Post of WASHINGTON. George J. Knapp.
Bolton Hail. the New York writer. and !
r H. Warren of Detroit.
Woman's Suffrage Endorsed.
Resolutions offered at the afternoon
session iudorsed womans suffrage, and
called on the House rules committee TO
create u committee on 8omans suffrage
IN the House.
Mrs. Henry George. jr.. wife of Repre-
sentative George of New York. gave q
reception to the delegates at her home.
1921 Biltmorc street, at the close OF the
session The meetings OF the conference
vii conclude with banquet tonight at
zine Raleigh at which William Marion
Reedy of ST. Louis Will be toastnlaster.
Among the speakers are to lie Joseph
FEELS, Representative George. George
Iausbury of England. Herbert 5. Bige-
low of Cincinnati, Amos l.. Pinchot,
George L. Record. Prof. J.. ]. johnson.
Louis +. Post Senators ciapp, owen and
Ashurst. and Representatives. Kent. Blu
chanar. Galley. Crosser, Lewis and