Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-06-07
LOCAL COMMENT.

There are some people in MARSHALL
town who do not know the difference
between a hose tower and a belfry. The
error under the circumstances is one
easily made, however. For the benefit
of those who may be led into the pre-
vailing error it should be understood
that the tower in the rear of the new
fire station on State street is for hose
drying purposes. That new building, by
the way, is going to be an ornament to
the city property and the section of the
city in which it is located.
-
The dog and pony show brought only
stormy weather, while a catastrophy of
some kind might have been expected
because of past experiences.
If Marshalltown can manufacture
paving brick of good quality, and it
seems that the raw material is to be
had, the cost of paving the streets with
vitrified brick will be considerably re-
duced, as the transportation charges
will be eliminated.
Mayor Jones makes the suggestion
grass into the cutters after cutting
their lawns there would be less reason
for complaint because of the overflow
ing of culverts and sidewalks when
heavy rains occur. A rain like that of
Thursday night, however, would require
storm sewers six feet in diameter to
take care of the water. There are sew
eral points in the city where larger
sewers are greatly needed.
1t is to be hoped that the threatened
trouble between the shop employees and
the Iowa Central management con-
corning the enforcement of rules that
the employees had no part in making
can be amicably settled. Neither the
company, the employees nor the business
men of the city can afford long and
bitter contest of this character.
A great deal of grumbling is being
INDUCED in by some of the water con-
sumers of the city because of the rigid
enforcement Of rules and rates by the
water department and it's employees AS
the water works plant belongs to the
city-to the taxpayers and patrons
there should be no complaint on this
score of enforcing consistent regula-
tons and rates. When every one is
compelled to pay alike and all their
proper proportion, the city revenues
from the department will be sufficient
to allow general reduction. The sys-
tenn is not owned and operated by the
municipality for the purposes of Sc
curing profit, but it should be con-
Quoted on business principles-a fact
that the city councils have begun to
appreciate in recent years.
The few people who are making loud
complaint into the eager ears of the
town tradesman about
Marshalltown's lack of public market
facilities should remember that the city
authorities here are doing the best they
can under the circumstances and are
using only makeshifts at present. Mar
shalltown has grown in population until
land values have reached such figures
per front foot that a large square Of va
cant ground near the business district
is unavailable for public market places
II has always seemed to the T.-R. that
farmer driving to town would much
prefer a well ordered feed yard in
which to leave his team even at slight
charge of ten cents than to tie on the
streets where he is at the mercy of ev-
cry vandal who delights in stealing
whips, halters, blankets, ETC., or where
teams have every opportunity. How
ever the merchants of Marshalltown are
alive to their interests and as soon as a
piece of ground can be secured
a market place will be provided that
will be of some use. In the meantime |
our merchants might attract the trade
Of country patrons by offering feed yard |
tickets with their purchases instead of |
the valueless trading stamp. An as
ISOLATION of merchants giving trading
stamps live off from each other. A |
similar association giving feed yard |
tickets or paying railway fare would |
attract new business and build up the
town.
The death of child by drowning in
Linn creek suggests the thought that it
s about time the treacherous Iowa riv-
ar was claiming another victim. 1t has
always exacted Of this community it's
1.-THE of at least one human life each
year and it has now been nearly year
since the last death in it's waters oc-
,urred. Boys and men should exercise
care in using the river
Curing the season of freshts and floods.
800 Reward 800.
The readers of this paper will be pleased to
earn that there is at least one dreaded disease
hat science has been able to cure in all its