Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1900-03-12
Sad Blow to Marshalltown's Bust
ness interests Threatened
Unless Thwarted.
Business Men Meet and Will Fight
to the Last Freight Boy
colt Talked.

Word was received from New York
today which practically confirms the
ugly rumors that have been floating
around during the last fortnight to the
effect that the Iowa Central railroad in
tends TO move its general offices to Pc
aoria. The matter was received with
great CONSERVATION by the business men
of Marshalltown, as it is considered
about the worst blow that has come to
the business interests of their city in
many years.
These rumors We're first heard about
two weeks ago when Mr.. T. Binford re-
ceived telegram from Il friend in Pc
oria asking What is there in the rumor
that the Central offices are to be moved
here?' A committee consisting of May
'or Pierce, c. c. st. Clair, president OF
the Commercial Club, and Mr.. Binford
called on General Manager Clarke at
the Pilgrim that evening and 1T was
then stated that the matter had been
talked of. but that nothing definite had
been done snce then these men have
been laboring with Mr.. Clarke 10 get.
him TO use his influence to prevent such
action.
= piopositioii "as secured isosii M
j. p. Woodbury. to rent office rooms in
the Woodbury. building at a nominal
rent. which seemed to strike Mr.. Clarke
very favorably, altho it was not ac-
Ecepted. On Thursday of last week Mr..
Clarke virtually promised Mr.. Wood
bury that he would recommend to Mr..
kimball, president OF the road, the ac-
ceptance of Woodbury's proposition.
Those acquainted with the circumstan-
ces and details of the affair, however,
had good reasons to suspect Mr.,
IsGlarke's sincerity in the matter and
yesterday 1T was deemed best 10 tele-
graph Col. f. G. Let's, who Was in New
! York. ard Mr.. George f. Kirby, who
was in Washington, to call on Mr.. Kim
bah today. They cid so and the follow
/ Ing telegram was received by Mr.. Nor
! ris. editor of the T.-R.. at noon today:
New York March -, lso0.-D. w.
/ 'Noi fls, of.' Marst1alitoWh, iowa: kirnS
# 6o,a. says bo 4 i l,,,as,, ,,a,s,,,saas; !,
best thing for them TO move heado,lar-
I tiers to Peoria. +. G. LET'S.
air. Clark. IS now on the Colorado
special en- route TO Cleveland, o.. where
ne meets Mr.. Kimball Tuesday morn
ing coming west in his private car
4 friends bound for California on n pleas
ure trip. He, Clarke, has made the
statement that the matter will be decid-
lsd before he reaches st. Louis, where h
leaves Mr. kimball, and it is thought
i here that no decision Will be in favor Of
q Marshalltown.
I The plan of moving to Peoria is
4 known TO have Originated in the offices
here, presumably in the traffic depart
4 ment. and it was thought that when Mr.
4 Clarke said he would recommend ac-
3 oepting offices in the Woodbury. build
ling the matter was settled, but it seems
i by the Let's telegram that in the mean
q time President kimball mas been wor
} over to the Peoria scheme and whether
MI. Clarke knew this when he made his
: Epronlise TO Woodbury. is not known
Certain 1t is that the new general man
j dger has all along favored moving Il
Peoria and has been frank enough to say
SO He and other railroad officials base
their position on the grounds of railroad
necessity. II would be much more con.
venient for the transaction of business
70 nave their general offices located in ;
large city IKE Peoria, where SO man.
llhes OF railroad convene. having daily
si'se WITH the Central Ili
doubtless does not reaiize the many aa
vantages offered by Marshalltown, It!
: eehtrat ioca'ioh' etc,' ana certainly ha'
not taken into account the boycott tina
. VIII lneVitapiy pc organized ny the bus
/. mess men OF tins city. II todays tenn
!. per does not abate very greatly freigh
!. Shippers VIII resort almost TO wheel
!. DarroWs before any goods VIII be re