Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-12-27
LOCAL COMMENT.
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what trouble can develop from an ap
narently small beginning. When tn
strike of the Iowa Central switchme
was announced first in these column
"Wednesday, on the day it was declared
people generally We're inclined to max
light OF the affair, and look upon
more as bluff than anything else
thinking that in day or two the me
would become tired and go back t
work. In fact, only those intimately
conversant with the duties of switch
men realized in the strike serious com
| plications and a more serious outcom
| If 1t continued very long. These result
| are now threatened, and the compiled
tions, spreading to other importan
points on the line, including both tn
roads terminals, are Just as sure to en-
sue as night is to follow day, providing
some amicable agreement is not arrive,
at shortly.
One business man of the city said, ii
speaking of the situation after he hat
seen the T.-R. Friday evening, 81 didn
figure" There is the situation in &
nutshell. People do not comprehend
the duties of this class of railway EN-.
ployes, whose lives are in jeopardy per-
haps to a greater extent than any other
one class. There is not n car that pass
IS thru Marshalltown on the many
trains during a day but that is handled
in some way by switchman. 1t is
no wonder then that the local yards
have become congested and threaten to
be entirely blocked for want of labor to
move the hundreds of cars.
In this fight with the railroad COM
pany the switchmen have, by far the
better end of the argument. Laying
aside the merits of the case, and the
claims of either one side or the other,
the railroad company Is in such posi-
ton that it can not help but recognize
the rights or claims of the employees,
even tho it does not relish the establish
ing of precedent. The company could
have well afforded to grant the few
cents advance asked by the switchmen,
when it was first made. rather than to
have allowed even a day pass without
having any work done in the Marshall
town yards. The loss to the company,
In a monetary way, is large enough al
ready to pay the increase in the wage
schedule for several years. If the other
are called upon to strike in
the Iowa Central will be tied
up indeed. with no prospect of relief
to the situation.
There is nothing that has occurred
Ia the city in some time that has caused
so much general interest as this little
strike. The reason is apparent, as too
many people are personally Interested.
rhe business man is unable to get his
'reight: the farmer Is unable to move
MS stock; the coal dealer is in a posi-
ion where he has to put his customers
IF or has to satisfy him with a par
ially-filled order. In other words the
industry business of the Central is at
/ standstill, and will be until a settle
nent is effected.
Holiday business with the merchants
his year has been generally very sat
sfaetory. There is difference of opin-
on by the dealers in the various lines
IS to the amount of business done this
ear as compared to last. Some claim
{ has exceeded 1901; others that it has
allen under. Another thinks that this
ears business in any line should not
,e compared with last year, when, he
laims. people bought blindly, almost
ecklessly, and established a high
yater mark that will not be attained
gain only under the most favorable
onditions. Even those merchants who
lain not to have reached last years
igures are not complaining, however.
they are satisfied, yes. more than
Marshalltown has drawn the
,atronage of other towns in every sur
county and from even greater
distances, the people having taken adj
,antage of larger stocks and better as
ortments from which to purchase their
christmas goods. The T.-R. has a
ian for next season that it will sug-
est at some future time. that will. 1t
kinks, increase the business enormous
Z, providing the merchants and bust
less men will work together for COM
non gain, at comparative small pro
alta expenditure.
Santa Claus has come to the little
mes for another season, and the heart
+ many a child In Marshalltown has
zen madeNgla by the gifts of the fun
y old man who $50 busy each year on
christmas eve. Observance in the |
hurches eclipsed anything in recent |
ears, and was most general. There is |
ne criticism, however, that might be |
ffered in the celebration of Christmas |
S observed by some of the churches. |
christmas trees are provided, in nearly |
very instance, for Christmas is not |
'hristmas without tree. But in the
unday school there are many who are
OF remembered as their little play
rates, members of the same class, and,
erhaps, sitting in the same seat at the
hurch A poor little lad has his eyes
n some pretty gift on the tree. He
,onders if 1T is for him. He sits thru
ut the evening with an expectant gaze
t the coveted toy, only to see it fall I
, his neighbor, perhaps sitting next
, him. He is disappointed. and, after
Il, received only the little bag of
weetrneats that falls to each pupil of
he school alike. The better Christmas
rec in the church is one that provides
Or each child in the same manner.
hen there are no heartaches, no
,alousies and the spirit at the close
as Intended at Christmas tide, Peace
n earth; good will to men,"
Licensed to Wed.
John v. Bass, miller, aged %, and
p;IIo,, o.ad Hath az |