Archives and Videos Record
Metadata
Object ID |
31_1931_1-16 |
Object Name |
Meeting Minutes |
Description |
Meeting Minutes of the Fairhope Single Tax Corporation for year 1931 including routine business, financial statements, lease transfers of the Colony and similar actions. In addition: In 1931, the Corporation's attention was focused on transferring the bayfront park area to the Town of Fairhope. The idea had been introduced in 1921 by E. B. Gaston; ten years later the urgency became apparent to most of the Colony leaders and members because of the steep loss of Wharf revenue (due to the Cochrane Bridge availability reducing bay boat transport and fees), and loss of rental revenue due to Depression-impacted lessees' inabilities to pay. The trio of FSTC Trustees, however, objected to the transfer for (mainly) constitutional reasons. Nevertheless (and with a constitutional interpretation by Colony attorney J.H. Webb allowing the Council the power to approve the transfer without a constitutional amendment or a referendum), the Executive Council of the FSTC approved the resolution for transfer on August 6, 1931. A referendum of the membership approved the Council's action on September 21, 1931 and the conveyance was accepted by the Town of Fairhope on September 29, 1931. In the midst of this action, the trustees (Delia Knowles Bancroft, Anne Bellangee Call and Alice Smith) declined to perform their duties as overseers of the September 21st election, and were recalled from their positions in a referendum held on October 29, 1931 because they did not perform their constitutional duties. They were replaced by M. A. Bowen, Jessie Stimpson and Dr. Cornelius A. Gaston as trustees for the FSTC on November 20th. The ballpark at the beach was built and put into use. The Colony Cemetery was approved to start charging non-members and non-lessees $50 to be buried with the money going to a cemetery fund. R. F. Powell requested that the FSTC make unused lands available for gardens so needy people could grow food. The Executive Council approved the request. (Note: Powell was director of the Vacant Lots Cultivation Association in Philadelphia before moving to Fairhope in 1904.) The Colony was approached by the federal government and agreed to work with a lessee who rented Colony land where a new post office was planned. Fiske Warren, a member and friend and supporter of the FSTC, author and editor of the Enclaves of Single Tax series of journals, founder of several single tax colonies including Tahanto in Harvard, Massachusetts, and wealthy businessman, offered land in Central Park in New York City to the FSTC. The Corporation declined the offer. From the Fairhope Single Tax Corporation Archives. |
Date |
1931 |
PDF link |
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Search Terms |
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