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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 76

The Stage System

The Stage System.

This system differs totally from every other system either in existence or suggested. It is the only system in which the location of population is taken into account. The only thing in common with it and the Zone System is that they are both of them Stage Systems. It differs from all these systems also in the fact that it is meant to, and must act, as a distributing and not as a centralizing influence, as all other systems do. This was the main object I had in view when designing it. When working among and studying the condition of the poor of London and page 24 Manchester, I was much impressed with the great evils produced by the overcrowding of the great cities. I saw clearly enough that most of the evil could be got rid of, if a large proportion of our workers could have even only a small plot of land about them, but how to effect this I could not then see, nor did I then know that our railways were responsible for nearly the whole of the mischief.

When, however, I came to study the railway system, a new light dawned, I saw that the system of charging "tolls" of so much per mile acted as regards compelling people to live within a certain area precisely the same as if a toll bar were actually erected at every mile, and I set to work to remove these toll bars;; for I was convinced that it was these that are responsible for the overcrowding, and that the overcrowding is responsible for the poverty.

As I write, a letter from Earl Grey lies before me. In it he says: "The great problem of modem civilization is how to distribute our town population over the country." This is true, and this is the problem I have set myself to solve, with what success time will show Personally I have no fear of the result. As regards these young countries I do not expect it to reduce our larger cities; this is not necessary; but I do expect it to prevent their too rapid growth. Our chief cities are all seaport towns, through which the trade and commerce of the country must flow, and I expect the Stage System to have such an effect in settling the country and developing its resources and trade that our seaport towns must also share in the general prosperity, and grow much beyond their present size. All we want is for things to be in something like just proportion.

Another reason why the present system piles the population up in the great cities is that the rating for passengers and goods is all made permanently in their favour and against the country. I propose to make the rating temporarily in favour of the country. Perhaps I shall best explain the difference between the two systems by the aid of the following diagrams.