Evening journal., 1914-02-23
JOSEPH S. FELS
SINGLE TAXER
DEAD At 81
Millionaire PhilanthrspiSt a
Victim Of. Pneumonia After
Brief Illness
FOLLOWED TEACHINGS
OF HENRY GEORGE

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. Feb. %
Joseph S. Fels. millionaire philan-
thropist and single-tax advocate,
known to two continents, succumbed
to pneumonia at 4.SO O'Clock yester-
day morning in his home at 1880
Chestnut street Mr. Fels was in
his sixty-frst year and had been III
two weeks
-Four months ago Mr.. Fels returned
to this city from his London home,
happy in that he had succeeded in
having his taxation ideals made a
part of the budget Of LlOyd-George.
lord high chancellor of Great Britain.
and that the single-tax plan was
about TO be inaugurated in parts Of
France and Spain, owing to the ac-
tivities Of Mr.. Fels.
In every sense of the term the
philanthropist was a self-made man.
His parents emigrated TO this country
from Germany, and settled in Halifax
Courthouse, Va, where Joseph was
born
When the boys were quite young
the Fels family removed to Balt-
more, where Joseph began his career
as an errand boy in a brokers Office
Later the family moved TO Philadel-
phia and entered the soap business
Now the S. s. Fels' Company is one
of the largest in the country.
Early in his career he studied the
teachings Of Henry Gearge and later
became an ardent single tax advo-
cate. In the role of public speaker
he called the attention of thousands
TO his single tax plan, and It was
not long before his efforts brought
him fame in many parts Of the coun-
try.
Single tax colonies which we're
formed in the United States and
abroad sought the influence of the
Philadelphian, who at all times was
willing to assist in the efforts of
furthering this principle Ten years
ago Mr.. Fels sought Europe as a field
for his work. He established a home
in London. which he made his Eu-
ropean headquarters. and toured
France and Spain organizing single
tax colonies.
From that time on he travelled be-
| iNttu Ahin NhAhtiN anu LuiOptf WdE-
ing a continuous campaign against
all forms of government, which hE
regarded as unjust to the masses
J One of the principal themes was the
private ownership of land.
/ Backed Two Colonies.
His guarantee TO the Fels fund il
/ America. with headquarters in Cincinno
I Ii, was $4,000 year. He was also ON
! of the financial hackers of the Ardci
/ colony in Delaware and the Fairhop
/ colony near Mobile. Ala. where the the
ory of the single tax was given practi
cal demonstration.
Mr.. Fels was prominent as a speake
and writer as well as a. contribute ia
the cause which be advocated. and eve
during his last illness was engaged j
preparing an article on the subject.
Mr. Fels spent several fortunes in hi
work. He was charitable to the need
( and especially considerate of his en-
ployes. Upon completing CAREFUL
Forked-out proft-shaiing plan he put
into effect in the soap works in Darbl
with the result that in April, 1910. th
employees OF the Fcls Company receive
$4,000. This sum represented POI
tion Of the profits made by the firm dul
ing the previous year
Briefly. Mr.. Fels plan was to give en-
ployes of the firm who had been in III
service three years or longer Is per cen
of their years wages and those und,
that time limit II per cent. Members (
social and labor organizations in all se'