Neighbors Ltd.

William Francis Hare, Viscount Ennismore, son and heir of the fourth Earl of Listowel has often puzzled his friends. Recently he surprised most, shocked many, when he gave an exhibition in London of his own neat and delicately stitched embroideries. Last week he founded Neighbors Ltd.

While Viscount Ennismore was at Oxford people called him "Will" or "Mr. Hare" because he so insistently asked them to. He was a Socialist, he said, and so he had no use for his title.

"The shares of Neighbors Ltd.," said Viscount Ennismore last week, "will be sold at a penny each to wealthy men who wish to show the sincerity of their Socialism, and remove the obstacles of their capital, earned or unearned. Each purchaser of a penny share binds himself to contribute -L-100 [$486] to the company's Permanent Fund. The sole business of Neighbors Ltd. will be to administer the Fund in the interest of Social Service.

Since the only loophole in this clear cut proposition seemed to be the "modest stipends," correspondents asked about them.

After some reflection, Viscount Ennismore indicated that a Socialist Tycoon who bought enough penny shares to enable him to contribute his whole fortune in -L-100 units to Neighbors Ltd. might receive "modest stipends" as follows: 1) If single, -L-3 a week ($14.58); 2) If married -L-4 ($19.44); 3) If a parent, 10 shillings ($2.44) extra for each child. Asked how he himself would subsist on -L-3 a week, Bachelor Viscount Ennis more said: "I shall take a chamber, not too dear, and make ends meet by embroidering."