Growing the Single Tax Movement
One Person at a Time

Bolton Hall

[An address delivered at the Henry George Congress, 12 September 1927, New York, New York
Reprinted from Land and Freedom, September-October 1927]

So conspicuous a group of gifted minds; so many men and women unselfishly devoted to humanity; so many humble souls who in the lower walks of life carry in their hearts the thought of Henry George and his inspiring message. These must in all parts of the world today number literally many millions."

Is this from some novice whose wish fathers' his thought, or from some wild eyed visionary, some dreamer of the Kingdom? No; it is from our wise, experienced and able editor of the review for single taxers, LAND AND FREEDOM.

Says the Square Deal: "In the City of Toronto over 6,000 voted for straight Single Tax by law, while less than 10 per cent of these are known to the local organization."

It does not need to be said that we should have a Central Bureau to which all names, lists and suggestions as to interested persons should be sent. Lecturers and writers constantly get names of those who would like to know more of their subject, and I find that, if asked for, numbers of persons will hand in their names (an usher should be sent to collect them). "Now, we're going to take up a collection, not of money, but of names."

This list would form the field for subscribers, votes, organized work, distribution of literature and directions for special work.

But we have not even an enrollment; that is because we have no organizer. Henry George said that to me. "May be," he said, "you are the heaven sent organizer." But I am not. This organization I could not make, partly because it is hard for me to remember people and their names; partly because it can be made by many individual workers. I have myself less than a thousand names in my list. It is not the work given to me. I know how it must be done and know nearly anyone who has the heart can do it, be "the heaven-sent organizer" in her or his own place and even, make it a means of support.

Now all that is necessary is for anyone to begin at home, make cards with blanks for all the needed particulars; address, nationality, occupation, religion, politics, married, family, interested, opposed, well-to-do or poor, own land or house, etc., every thing that would be a guide for approaching them again.

When you call, ask if they know any single taxers or Henry George man or woman. That is a question one can inoffensively ask as one can ask the way to the Town Hall. It will probably reveal their own attitude or ignorance and will open the way to such information as will interest them. The real estate dealer or owner will like to hear about the Pittsburgh plan and the politician will be interested in the California vote for straight out single tax. Most people will be glad to be told of Canberra or of the irrigation projects paid for by water rates based on the land value: the religious will like Dr. McGlynn's "Thy Kingdom Come."

Then, if "the prospect" can suggest anyone who would be interested, those persons should be called upon and asked for further names. If he knows of no one it can be suggested that he will probably think of somebody, and you will call again to know call several times to know.

In the course of the interview you will find many who "used to be in the movement" who "knew Henry George," etc., but "haven't heard much of it of late." Such will nearly always gladly give 25 cents for the Pennsylvania Commonweal, or anyhow 10 cents for "The Crime of Poverty " (which I can supply you free from the Fels Fund Ed.) or Joseph Dana Miller's "Has the Single Tax Made Progress?"

Others will give $5 or whatever you may suggest, on being asked if they would not like to have a hand in Single Tax. There could be no better opening for a canvasser to sell our books or to get subscriptions for LAND AND FREEDOM.

Here is a thing for everyone to do now, the most important of all work and needing nothing but the will to work. Begin in your own apartment house or your own block, and do it now.

But always and mainly keep looking for the man or woman who will go over the houses, streets, a couple of weeks after you have finished, or who will take new territory adjoining. If you do not do this, the work will cease with you. If you do it will always go on even after you are gone. Who will begin to engrave this army roll, self perpetuating, more lasting than bronze, to the memory of Henry George?