Enclaves of Economic Rent
Being a Compendium of
the Legal Documents involves
Together with
A Historical Description
by
Charles White Huntingdon

 

Content
To the Man of Hymettus (see below)
Introduction (see below)

Enclaves of Economic Rent
Unemployment and our Revenue Problem

The Tale of a Town
The Georgian Trust
Fairhope
Arden
Tahanto
Free Acres
Halidon
Sant Jordan
Shakerton
Ardentown

To the Man of Hymettus
The First Enclavian
This Book
Is Respectfully Dedicated

Such was the origin and such the vicissitudes of the tyranny of Pisistratus. His administration was temperate, as has been said before, and more like constitutional government than a tyranny. Not only was he in every respect humane and mild and ready to forgive those who offended, but, in addition, he advanced money to the poorer people to help them in their labours, so that they might make their living by agriculture. In this he had two objects, first that they might not spend their time in the city but might be scattered over all the face of the country, and secondly that, being moderately well off and occupied with their own business, they might have neither the wish nor the time to attend to public affairs. At the same time his revenues were increased by the thorough cultivation of the country, since he imposed a tax of one tenth on all the produce. For the same reasons he instituted the local justices, and often made expeditions in person into the country to inspect it and to settle disputes between individuals, that they might not come into the city and neglect their farms. It was in one of these progresses that, as the story goes, Pisistratus had his adventure with the man of Hymettus, who was cultivating the spot afterwards known as “Tax-free Farm.” He saw a man digging and working at a very stony piece of ground, and being surprised he sent his attendant to ask what he got out of this plot of land. “Aches and pains,” said the man; “and that’s what Pisistratus ought to have his tenth of.” The man spoke without knowing who his questioner was; but Pisistratus was so pleased with his frank speech and his industry that he granted him exemption from all taxes. From the “Oeconomica,” Chapter xv, Forsters Translation.

Introduction

A TALE is told of a man who, having been long and hopelessly in prison, finally tried the door of his cell, and, finding it unlatched, went out to freedom. A similar revelation has come to a few single taxers.

Multitudes since the time of Henry George have believed in single tax, and have represented their belief by somewhat hopelessly agitating for legislation. But during all this period the way was open to achieve the same end without it. This way has been followed by a few persons, and the six resulting areas in which single tax exists shine like minute white stars against the darker background.

Some one once said to Charles Lamb, “There is a spot upon your coat, Mr. Lamb.” “Clean spot, you mean,” rejoined he.

These clean spots, as being enclosed by the huge system from which they have freed themselves (each in its own degree), are called “enclaves,” and are described in the following pages.

In the area comprehended by the United States, including Alaska, Hawaii, and Porto Rico, the five enclaves represent a proportion of 224 parts in a hundred million; in Andorra, 5000 parts in a hundred million.

Are these enclaves worthy of being expanded? Are they worthy of being multiplied? This book is offered as a part of the evidence.

FISKE WARREN
Tahanto, 1921