Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-03-04
GREAT IS BERLIN CITY
Timely Topic Discussed by Pro-
lessor Raymond in His Series
of Lectures.
Tells of the Municipal Life OF
This Well Conducted German
City.
-
c. S. Walters to Retire From
the Iowa Central Passenger
Department.

Some of our people, or at least tnoSe
who are supporting the university ex-
tension course, were given an oppor-
| tunity last evening to learn much about
the German empire and the great city
| of Berlin thru lecture and the pre-
sentation of views by Prof. Raymond
Of the University of Chicago. 1t was
timely, in view of the great interest
now taken in Prince Henry and the
nation.
The municipal government of Berlin
was greatly praised by the lecturer.
| He aimed to show that the dominating
trait of the German character was
honesty, and that this feature was dis
played in city government. The lead
ing men and scholars in German es-
teen 1t privilege to serve on city
councils. Their chief aim in govern
| ing cities is to make life attractive to
the people. BY way of contrast he
urged that in America the greatest aim
| of those who seek places In city coun-
ellis is to line their own purses, and
that at best the good Of the municipal
tiles is a mere negation. He cited
Chicago as an example because he is
most familiar with it. Now, no one
will rise to defend Chicago city gov
eminent, and 1t is too sadly true that
the control of cities In America falls in
to hands that are unworthy, but that
the sole aim of councilmen is to serve
themselves is a libel on our country.
There are many cities in America that
have admirable governments and they
are learning more every day In their
efforts to help the people. Why Is 1t
that public speakers find it necessary
to discharge one branch of a subject
in order to praise another? 1t is a
fault as old as the human race and one
that the cautious must guard against
in listening to the roseate views of
public speakers.
But Prof. Raymond revealed many
features of municipal life in Berlin that
are admirable. The city owns a SPLEEN
did water system and supplies pure
water at a small cost ESQ does Mar
shalltown); the Berlin council. to Sc
cure good meats, purchased and con-
ducts the slaughtering houses: ii
bought the market houses, so that it
practically secures pure food for the
citizens. 1t keeps its streets clean and
enforces sanitary inspection, and
makes the city and it's homes whole
some. 1t beauties it's streets and
parks, builds monuments, and does
many things in paternal way. Views
of it's public buildings and streets gave
its auditors a fair idea of the city.
The development of the German en-
pire from the kingdom of Prussia was
shown by a series of maps. The abb
sorption of adjacent territory was ex-
planned and the building up of the great
nation was traced thru it's successive
stages. Last of ALL it's development
as great military power under En-
peror William was explained. This
ruler, whom the speaker regards as a
very able man, controls everything
with an inflexible will, even to the
management of affairs of Berlin. He
believes he reigns by divine right, and
acts from the impulse of doing it in the
interest of the people. tho they some
times oppose his plans. AS result
of his policy, Germany is great mill
itary camp. with an army of over 600,-
600 men, whose support is eating into
the yitals of the nation. AS a result
of it the socialist party has been de-
very rapidly and 1T would well
come any change from militarism to
more peaceful in it's aim.