Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-01-15


and probably the only one in tho world.
where nobody pays any tnxes. |, Is a
true municipal ttopia-the realization
of an ideal. incidentally, it is a thirty
ing little city OF 300 people. command
inSly set on a breezy hilltop overlook
ing Mobile Bay.
Don't come down here. however. with
thc idea that you are going 10 get
police ana fire protection and ull other
municipal service free Of charge. Fair
hope is not benevolent Institution or
an advertising scheme. 1t Is the only
living vindicaiion OF the praciicahility
oi Henry Georges famous sngl.-tax
theory.
one or the most ardent disciples OF
Henry George was General Jumping
linn Weaver. a picturesque political
nGnrc ~ the carly niuctics. whom YOU
have probably forgotten General
Weaver was that rare sort OF man. a
dreamer who also acts. IL. cspouscd
the cause OF tho popunsts, ran for tho
presidency or that ticket in 1892. ana
received The votes Of more than a mill
lion citizens. MANY o. tho "horcsics''
Ia Wcavcr's platform have since be-
come political staples for the two big
parties.
Having failed 10 land the presidency.
General Weaver determined 10 give a
political ideas. Together with CASTOR
and Eallauecc. he organized the Fair
hope Industrial Association. whose pur-
pos" was TO establish and conduct a
model community or colony free from
private monopoly. and Ia secure Ia its
members therein equality ~ opportun-
tty. tho full reward Of individual cf-
forts and the benefits OF co-opcratiu
IN matters OF general concern
\mnrd by idrniists.
.Sfter looking all over The United
states thcv selected this spot on tho
shores ~ Mobile EaS. ia tie firm be-
lief that the splendid climate. tho rich
surrounding land and tho excellent
harhor would combine TO make II n
great CRY. Eeins idcalsts, they
named IL Fairhope, and Fairhope sim
seems well named to-day.
The wording plan of the colony was
both simple and modest Each inc,n-
Der paid 400. with this capital. :,
tract az land was bought ami small
plots We're leased to the members ar
I" any ono else who wished TO settle
there The expenses Of government
were paid out Of these rents. That ia
tn" essence Of the Henry George theory
that there shall be no tax except in
th" form of rent for tho land which
IS always to remain tho property Of
inc state Thus MANY of tho incquali-
ties of TAXATION arc obviatcd. ana ,hc
nncarucd increment due to the increase
in the value Of land, which is tic basis
Of all real estate speculation is abel
iShcd
Fairhope is as unique in its mcibn,
or government as in its revenue pIa,
10 comply with tho State law. a Nav
or and Council Of nine members arc
tiectci and paid nominal salaries. Tho
'csiatcs' Of the city, its hands. ar.
twelve. who are the real covornin..
power OF the community The chair
man o! this committee is the score
fary o! tho association, L. Il. CASTOR
the only survivor OF the original col
ony 3nd perhaps the most influential
man in Fairhopc.
The conflict between politics ana
efficient methods. which has brourh,
about commission government in SO
many American cities. does not figure
in Fairhope's destiny. because il nov
or had any politics in the usual sense
OF the word. In that fact lies it's sig
hihcance as municipal experiment
Rents Paid 10 City.
The l'airhope founders believed thor
as tn" city grew the increased value
of Its land would more than meet i,s
increased municipal needs. Instead Of
paying To - landlord a rent sufficient
to enable him To pay the taxes and
MAKE Il personal proiit, the Fairhopc
citizens would pay directly to the citv
q rcatal on the land alone which
would suffice to run the government;
Landlords, real estate dealers and al
that other class who live and grow
raj on the growing value OF the land
without producing anything were to
have no place in Fairhopc
TIL re were. sixteen families in the
original colony. and many OF them
could barely scrape together the $3.50
membership fee. One family Travelled
all he way from Ohio I'm n WACO,
CASTOR. secretary of tho association
is the only one OF the original colon
lists still living.
These early colonists had nothing
in common but their poverty ana
their faith in the sinslc-taX theory.
An English farmer, workman from
chant, q blacksmith and printer
were amons them. Out OF their ut
tic capital of 81 900. they spent $40
for forty acres OF land. This they d.
vidcd into little tracts. upon which
they built shantics. and so they set
about living General Weaver's dream
Tho first years were hard ones
Their little plots of ground were not
largo enough to support them Nc:,c
OF them had capital with which to 90
vclop industries. Most OF the fcn
we're forced to become laborers oSNad-
Joining plantations. Rut they &tuck
together through il all. bccau EA,hcir
purpose was not to GET rich 1SS2t to
demonstrate an ideal. N IA
Had It's founders happcno;Hl oe.
one OF tho great crossro J1Am-
merce as tho site for ri