Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1900-06-16
LOCAL COMMENT.

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4 LOCAL COMMENT.
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Never in it's history has the Times
Republican been called upon to ctroni-l
Gle 50 many nuptial events as have
crowded its columns during the past
two weeks of June. Not only has there
beer extreme activity in the local mat
rimonial market, but the country COR
respondents and reporters in towns all
over Iowa report similar events in
punches and by squads. II the demo-
Gratis had hoped to make any campaign.
use of their customary calamity argu-g
ment this one evidence of prosperity
alone ought to silence them. Nor can
there be much hope for them In the fu-
ture, for this year will see the founda-
tion laid for future population of re-
publicans that will swell all former ma
jorities many fold.
The city is on the right track
when it requires a guarantee from en-
gineering companies that the sewage
plant they want to build will do the
work The engineers are much better
able to know whether their plant Will.
do the work required by the city than;
are the members of the city council and
to be on the safe side the city can we'll.
afford to pay a little extra, If necessary,
for this guarantee. So long as the price
of corn remains at the present high.
mark the great glucose factory is not
likely to run and the city is not losing
Ianything by proceeding With caution ii,
| the matter.
With not a case of smallpox in town
Marshalltown can once again draw a
long breath of relief and invite its
4 friends to visit here as freely as they
used to do. The situation since January
4 first has been trying one, not 50 dam
gerous to residents who went about
their business but very terrifying to the
outside public and consequently exceed
singly costly to this city's business inter-
este. The business men may now pre-
pare to recover their losses by making
unusual efforts for fall trade. With
crops and business conditions as they
are the best may be expected.
4 6 ssEs
There is one thing about the Iowa
Central railway that is not going to es-
cape public notice, the passenger de-
partment intends to let the world know
that 1t is out after business. The ar
engagements that have been made this
year to encourage passenger traffic over
the line have exceeded all previous
years in point Of completeness and
ought to have their effect on the roads
business. Energy and push exerted in
booming railroads. business ought to
possess in any othersline.
The ordinance establishing rates for
Electric lights ls still held in allegiance,
waiting Mayor Pierce's decision, the
deciding vote to the mayor. The ques-
ton upon which the council split was as
4 TO the right of the city to establish rates
lower than prevail in other towns in
Iowa. A clause in the original ordi-
chise states that they (the company
shall in no case charge to exceed the
average price paid in cities Of about the
same population in the state Of Iowa for
the same electric light service This
ordinance. the company claims, to the
satisfaction OF half the council, clearly
limits the city's power to regulate rates
to a point in conformity with prices in
other cities Mayor Pierce. Councilman
Harris and others claim that the au-
thority conferred by the Iowa statutes
upon cities to regulate electric light
rates gives to Marshalltown the power
A to fix rates lower than prevail In other
i ,cities, regardless OF the ordinance which
lsays the company shall not charge
more than. etc. There is only one GER
tainty in this electric light problem and
that IL that the rates ought to be low
4 erred. The action of the electric light
people In running around to the county
with proposition to light the court
house for half what had been charged
as soon as they heard an independent
\ plant would be established, would make
this clear. even If no one knew what
rates prevailed In other cities. But Just
how to accomplish the end is question
. II Mr.. Benson and his supporters have
4 investigated the matter thoroughly anc
, are satisfied that the Harris rates are
. lower than the city can legally enforce
!, 1t would be nothing but mere buncombe
!. for councilmen or mayor to pass the or.
4 dinance. However, If the city can en-.
force the Harris rates. the council had
7 better lose no time in doing 90. The
matter IL one of arithmetic and lega
!, opinion and so far there has been yer,
little Of either in evidence.