Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1870-05-13
Tho Illinois Central Ma
chine Shops.

siderably agitated over the location
Of the machine shops of the Illinois
Company, and now that the
question has been virtually settled in
favor of our rival town, we deem q
few statements, in reference to the
in order.
1t had been the commonly express
ed opinion, since the leasing of the
ID. g. s. G. line by the Central COM
pany, that as soon as they were ready
the machine shops would be moved
from Dubuque to some interior town
on the line of the road, and as Cedar
Falls Junction seemed the most
available point, it was reasonable to
conclude that Cedar Falls would be
the spot designated. So long time
had elapsed, and SO much had been
said and surmised, that our people
had concluded it but mere talk, un~
til some three weeks since, the Vice.
President of the road came out and
desired to meet number of our lead
ing citizens. A number were soon
called together, when the Vice-Presi-
dent stated that they had never be-
fore been ready to locate their ma
chine shops, but were now, and
wanted to know If our people had
any propositions to make. He was
asked what the company wanted and
replied, 400 acres of land around the
Junction, and at the same time figur.
ed up that it would cost our people
about $4,000. He was asked If he
would take that amount of money
and locate them here. He replied,
"Money is not what we want, it is
land. We want to put the proceeds
into our buildings" which 1t was es-
timated would net the company
$4,000. After inquiries in reference
to the purchase of the land, Mr..
Newell, the Vice-Presidcnt, was in
formed that they could have the
land, although it would cost our peo-
pie nearly double what he had esti.
mated. The only proposition to our
people being so promptly met, he
seemed pleased and stated that the
matter would be decided by Thurs
day Of the following week. The
time came around and no decision.
In the mean time Waterloo WAS
moving with might and main for the
permanent location of the shops
there, and it was understood that a
large "bonus" had been rendered the
company. In reply to letter, ask
ing whether a delegation from Cedar
Falls could aid the matter, Mr.. New
ell replied, mot unless your people
have further propositions to offer"
Not to be outdone by any lack of
enterprise, delegation of our people
visited Chicago last week. They met
the President, Mr.. Douglas, and Mr..
Newell ia their office and stated their
business, but were not permitted to
have the privilege Of a conference
with his majesty, the President. He
Immediately left the room stating
that Mr.. Newell could answer all
their questions. 1t was soon ascer-
tanned that the location had been vir-
t1alIy settled and was at the time
Mr.. Newell wrote our people mot
unless you have further propositions
to maken-that Waterloo had been
given till the 10Th inst. to accept the
proposition of $4,000 in cash and
thirty acres of land, and therefore
nothing could be done until that
time. Mr.. Newell was asked why
this change, why had our people not
been allowed an equal privilege, his
only reply was, at is money we
want Immediately, to put in our
buildings" Only think of it, a cor
poration like the III. Central Com
pany locating their machine shops
and round house at an unfavOrable
point for the sake of an immediate
use of S25, 900, and that to be paid
only in 5000 monthly installments
When asked what future generations
would say TO such movement, he
replied that che could not tell, and
doubted the wisdom of the step that
had been taken. He had thought
the Junction the proper place, but
money was what they now needed"
Why then did they not allow our
people the privilege of aiding them
with money, after coming to the con-
cluslon so suddenly that money they
must have.
To any one acquainted with the
business ability of Mr.. Newell, such
talk is but the flimsIest nonsense,
and while we believe that he is not
a party to such an injustice, we are
still convinced that he was sincere i'm
his expressed opinion that Cedar
Falls Junction was the place for the
shops.
. But to the pecuniary advantages of
Cedar Falls over Waterloo, as loca-
ton for the shops. There are six
miles of road to travel over every
day. MIR. Newell stated in the pres
ence of a number of our citizens, that
it cost the company $4,000 per mile a
year to run over their road. Here
then is $50, 900 of expense incurred
every year; in Is years, the unexpired
time of their lease, $540'000. Take
then the land, 400 acres, and let the
half be sold to employees, in lots and
at the lowest calculation, it will net
them 100000. Here then is $640, 900.
To offset this, Waterloo is asked to
give sos, 900 and 80 acres of land,
when the shops will cost as much to
build them at Waterloo with the ex-
ception of about Sl0,00O) as at the
Junction. We have then the advant-
age it will be to the company in a
moneyed point of view, to locate
them at Waterloo. Again, Cedar
Falls is nearer the point desired for a
miles. 1t was admitted
by Mr.. Newell, that the distance
from Dubuque was very important
consideration. These facts are pat
ent to every business man, as well as
the company themselves, and in view
of them, it is not to be wondered that
Mr.. Douglass did not desire to remain
and discuss the merits of the two
places with our delegation. What