A Suggestion for Propaganda
Promoting the Single Tax
Donald Bradford
[Reprinted from the Single Tax Review,
November-December 1915]
Editor Single Tax Review: The writer has submitted a plan of
propaganda to the Spokane Single Tax Club which it is believed will
prove, when put into action, a powerful factor in the establishing of
equality of opportunity, which is the ultimate of Single Tax.
During the last twelve months I have had occasion to personally
interview probably one thousand men and women in this city. All the
usual sects, political parties and nationalities, were represented. I
found much poverty in its various stages, and with it the varieties of
prejudice usually met with in the average population. But no matter
how strong the political ties or religious superstitions, when I
advanced the proposition that Society, which is all of us, owed to
each of us the Equality of Opportunity to make a living, every person
enthusiastically acquiesced, and when asked if he would join a league
to be called "The Opportunity to Make a Living League," the
object of which would be to secure the enactment of a constitutional
amendment providing this opportunity by making possible the use of
lands now unused, the response was in every instance favorable.
So I do not entertain the slightest doubt of the success of such a
movement. The mass understands what is meant by "the opportunity
to make a living." It is the ambition of every man to get a
steady job. The mere thought of steady employment brings to him and
his wife a picture of peace and plenty free from anxiety about food,
clothing and shelter for the morrow. So why should not this promise of
surcease from want command his hearty support? This arousing of the
mass which sooner or later must be brought into the movement, is just
as feasible now as it ever will be. The fundamental thought in Single
Tax is now complete and is just as sure a panacea now as it can ever
be. Bring it, therefore, into the field of actuality. Gather the mass
to its support new. While at present it seems to be the policy to
appeal to the intellectual I would reinforce this work by approaching
the millions on a basis understandable by them. A weekly publication
devoted exclusively to this organization, and its work, will be the
most important feature.
The school district should be the unit which could be subdivided for
personal house to house work, that would be irresistable. The
subscription price of the paper should be high enough to meet all
expenses of the organization. Perhaps one of the papers now in
circulation could be utilized, but the ablest writers should be
arranged for in any event.
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