PREFACE. During the summer of 1890 I became impressed with the difficulties to be overcome in winning adherents to the single tax, in sufficient numbers to make it fulfill the high expectations which had been formed for it, not yet perceiving its inherent weakness, nor doubting its efficiency. Still, I looked forward to the coming General Conference of Single Tax men, to be held at New York in the fall of that year, with high anticipations, in the full belief that something would be done to push forward the work, and bring it more generally to public attention.. The outcome of that Conference was disappointing to the last degree. It fulfilled none of the anticipations I had formed for it; and I publicly criticised its action before the Chicago Single Tax Club soon afterwards. From a criticism of the Conference. it was very natural to pass to a criticism of the Single Tax itself; and the moment I began to look at it from the standpoint of a critic, instead of that of an advocate, the aspect changed. I could understand why its progress was slow, and why it must, in the future, move with a still slower step, when its first impetus had been expended. My thought was still directed to devising some scheme of agitation which would force the whole social question to the front, and bring relief to those who so urgently need relief. As early as March, 1891, I became convinced that a plan nearly similar to that outlined in Part IV. of this V work, would be the most effective one to adopt; 1 knew that to secure any general action it would quire, not only to be fortified with abundant reas but it must secure the co-operation of all school social reformers. To put forward such a plan wit meeting every reasonable objection would but subm to ridicule; and to ignore or antagonize any si school of reform would be to incur its hostility inst of its needed co-operation. And yet, how could we concile the socialists with the single-taxers; the ana ists with the socialists; or the farmers with the tra unionists? I already understood the essential we ness of compromises; but I concluded that somewh would be found a common standing ground wh would require no compromise. unless truth proved consistent with itself. I then determined to undertake a solution of perplexing problems before me; and formed the f imperfect outline of the present work. I did not do that in four or five months, at most, I would have ready for the press. But I at once began as thorou a survey of the whole field to be covered as my o cumstances permitted, taking notes as I progresse I soon found the subject was much larger than I h anticipated; and that I was only just beginning learn. My views have undergone constant chan with each new fact I have obtained, and every co parison I have made. Those things that at first supposed were fundamental, have often proved to secondary, or even of still less importance; but in all, I have not found one single fact or principle whic is not in harmony with the general plan of relief wi |