A SINGLE-TAX COLONY.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 516, 9 November 1912, Page 6

A SINGLE-TAX COLONY.

Seventeen years ago twenty-five people, eight men, eight women, and nine children, founded the single-tax colony of Fairhope, in Alabama. Today the township numbers 700 souls, and, as towns go in Alabama, is considered a place of great importance. The founders of the little colony were all followers of Henry George. They believed that the land belonged to the people at large and that private ownership had made it possible for monpolists to control the national resources, thus creating extremes of poverty and wealth. To carry out their ideas the founders had to buy land, a thing which was opposed to their principles, but they were landlords of a very distinct character. They exacted no interest on the purchase money and used the rentals for the common benefit of the community. The land purchased was of a very poor class, and, in addtiion to this,the community had to pay heavy State taxes. When these extra taxes were paid from the common fund there was not very much left to be spent on improvements and for years the settlers had a hard time. Gradually, however, the colony was enlarged, and some years ago it became a fashionable summer resort for people Jiving in Mobile and other large cities, and a winter resort for peopla residing in tho northern States. Industries grew and the colony became more prosperous. True to their principles, the founders refused to sell their land, and they used their surplus funds to develop natural resources, improve local conditions and provide Dublic utilities. Fairhope owns the only waterworks system in its country, has a splendid telephone service at reduced rates, manages a number of bathhouses, which are free, and assits to maintain the public library. "There are people in Paiihope comparatively well off," says a writer in Collier's, and people who are relatively poor. There are very few, if any, who are illiterate. The town contains no rich family and no family in need of charity." There is no lawyer in the town, and all disputes are settled by an Arbitration Court. Last year was the most progressive in the history of the colony, and it is claimed that the expeirmental stage has been 3afely passed.