The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1932-12-29
Script Money


Until recently only small percentage of Iowans
knew where the village of Hawarden is located;
very few in other states of the union knew
cared. Then several Hawarden citizens put their
heads together, decided congressional wheels rnd too
slowly and devised prosperity tonic of their
Now hundreds of village and cities throughout the
country watching the plan, hoping it develops
likely into which can be used in big and
small cities all over the country.
The plan is so simple that economists were
dubious at first and now wonder why they did not
think of it themselves. Perhaps yet the
flaw may be exposed but right it to be
worth consideration in every community where poor
relief is problem and where municipal projects are
waiting for better times.
Hawarden simply hires unemployed to work
on whatever civic projects needed 1t pays them
in money of its making, backed by cooperating
citizens who willing allow three per cent dis
count for cash-and most citizens are.
The Hawarden dollar requires stamps for its pas
sage. When the laborer buys his groceries he must
dig up three cents which pays for stamp which is
then affixed to the dollar and cancelled When the
merchant passes the dollar in payment for his rent,
produce, advertising any of the other things he
Each succeeding transaction in which the dollar
figures requires another stamp until sc stamps at
tached. Then the script dollar may be exchanged at
the city hall for regular dollar which has accrued
there by the sale of stamps The eight cents addi-
tonal in the ctys til; (accrued by the thrtyfourth,
thirtyfth and thirty-sixth exchange) takes of
the of printing the script and the stamps and for
the bookkeeping required
The plan is said to discourage boarding since the
dollar has little value except a purchasing agent.
Other cities studying the system believe they in
it means of making improvements without heavy
bonding and repeated interest payments. By careful
limiting of the issues and frugal donating to families
without of support the load is cared for without
subscription and the persons who benefit by the loos
ening up of money foot the bill.
careful study of the plan by merchants organ
izatons and the council might reveal the elusive
faw-but it might instead reveal way to bring
about needed improvements with greater outlay of
cash than has already been placed in relief fund.
State Relief
TWIN CITIES interests, according to their news
papers, planning to ask the state to shoulder
portion of the burden of caring for the destitute
in the larger cities.
Forgotten is the fact that citizens of smaller
cities have had equally difficult times caring for
neghbors who are out of work and suffering from cold
and hunger.
Relief problems should be handled at home where
ever possible The money donated by neighbors will
be frugaly spent than will legislative dona-
ton Only when the load becomes too heavy should
other sources be tapped.
Surely st. Paul. which recently dedicated its fine
new civic improvements has ample funds left to care
for it's needy? Minneapolis staged drive for funds
to save its fine symphony orchestra just prior to its
community fund drive and both went cover the top
or nearly Surely Minneapolis has funds for food
as well as music?
A publicity seeker economist recently wrote FOL
words on a postcard. Which explains why the post
man was late the morning he delivered tive sup
pose
The Reconstruction Finance Corporation director
has announced that prosperity will return as soon
each individual solves his problem and remedies
it. That is encouraging to the who is out of
work and hasn't been able to find any although he
has been hunting for months and to the farmer who
has raised bumper crop through strenuous effort and
now finds it hardly worth hauling to market