The ambitions of Welwyn were, and are, high. A future
was sketched of a city that should one day become entirely rate-free. The " unearned increment" accruing from the enhancement of site values, from the exploitation of the city's internal resources, would in the sequel—so it was hoped— mount high enough to endow the public services. The idea is not in • itself extravagant and has been fulfilled in Germany. At Welwyn, land was bought very cheaply, and by a happy accident it was found to be a source of beautifully clean gravel, of good sand, of good water, and of brick clay. A bit of England proved, as has often happened, richer than was imagined. Parts were afforested with timber of a certain value. To add to these natural resources a central shop, with certain monopoly rights, was erected, that those who spent their money thus might also help to reduce their rates. Nor were the ideals of the shop exclusively economic. It was one of the few places where you could buy a loaf made wholly of English local flour !
* * * *
Previous page
