Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-01-04

L
behalf of Marshalltown in securing the
Carnegie library.
80 .
There is one valid objection to the
ltransmitter fire alarm system now In
general use in this. city. and that is the
inability Of both firemen and citizens
to keep in memory the location of the
ina ginary alarm boxes. This objec-
ton might be overcome by the placing
of neat sign boards in conspicuous
places In the center of the district the
number represents. BY this means al
most every citizen would remember the
number of the district and when the
telephone was resorted to in notifying
the. water works engineers of the pres
ence of a fire the location could be
readily given by the number and the
correct alarm sounded from the water
works without delay or confusion.
The annual scare about there be-
ing too many vacant houses in the city
| Is now on. Under the circumstances
there is no occasion for alarm. At this
season there is always a doubling up
Of some Of the poorer classes OF ten
ants, in order to save both fuel and rent
during the cold weather. On top OF
this there was an unprecedented num-
Der of new residences erected in Mar
shalltown during the past summer and
fall. Many former renters, taking adj
vantage of the prosperous times, have
built houses of their own. Capitalists
have erected many dwellings of medium
size, equipped with modern conven-
fences, and these are all occupied. OBJ
servation will show that about the
only vacant houses in the city are old
residences without modern equipment
on the one hand, and number of
large houses of the old style of archi-
lecture which can not compete with
the newer and more modern structures
in the rental field. Owners Of tene-
ment properties must learn one thing.
and that is to keep up with the times
by keeping the houses in good repair.
The Elks' charity entertainment
Ought to and probably will be well pat
ronized by the citizens of Marshall
town. The Elks will leave 1t to the
general public to determine how much
penses of the entertainment are met.
the poor shall receive after the ex-
Now that the Carnegie library build
ing fund is assured, the citizens must
pull together in completing the prelim-
inaries and in meeting the demands of
the great philanthropist. II quarrel
is precipitated over the location there
is danger of the city losing the gift all
together A site centrally located and
with the proper environments, with
ground enough to afford sufficient light
and ventilation and to meet the de-
mands of the architectural plans, Is all
that is required. or course 1t would be
an admirable scheme to have the IL
brary building, the new government
building that is in prospect, a city
building and the proposed Masonic
temple In the same vicinity around the
court house square, but owing to I'M
certainties and the various individuals
to be suited 1t is very doubtful IL such
a scheme could be worked out. The
best that can be done under all the
circumstances is all that should be ex-
pected or demanded.
The brief interviews with members
of the Commercial Club published FRI
day undoubtedly echo the sentimen!
of the business circles of the city. Be-
cause little in tangible results has been
accomplished By the Commercial Club
and its salaried secretary during the
past year is not sufficient reason for
and cessation of the
efforts in the upbuilding OF the city.
To accomplish results 1t is necessary to
employ some one who Will devote his
time to the active business and work
of the club It need not necessarily
be Mr.. Sears, altho that gentleman has
done much to entitle him to another
year In the position II he desires 1t.
No man could have worked harder, and
it would be difficult task to find one
who is better equipped for promoting
city's interests than the present secre-
tary. Many others would have become
discouraged long ago and thrown up
the job. But Sears kept everlastingly
at it and his work, as many OF the
business men say, may bring results
in the next few years to come that are
at present entirely unlocked for. But
there must be some one to investigate
the various propositions. There are
of seeking fat bonuses: others who
have schemes that have failed else
where and never will succeed under
their management in any locality.
There are still others with businesses
that would pay In favored localities.
but who have not the necessary capital
to remove their plants and expand
their trade. All these must be investi-
gated, and the few worthy propositions
to the favorable consid-
Grafton of the club. 1t looks as tho the
pottery plant project would succeed,
but it has taken much effort and the
exercise of gray matter to evolve plan
that local capitalists would approve Of
has had commercial clubs
salaried secretaries and has had
one years experience with a paid secre
tary The first organizations were fail
ures; the salary plan has not been tried
long enough TO prove that it is a fail
ure. Therefore there Is nothing else to
do but continue the efforts along the
lines followed during the past year.