Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-07-18
LOCAL COMMENT.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

| Union labor has now launcned a
project in which merchant and en-
| p!oyer and every citizen alike can CO.
operate. A city park is needed. The
| plan is practicable and it has the merit
| of small cost One real active park
foreman and the enforced labor of no.
| hos and DRINKS could keep 1t In very
| fair condition. 1t is near town, near
| the car line. near enough to the river to
make pleasure boats available, and is
lin every way a desirable spot. There
| Is land enough beyond to accommodate
the golf club If it could be secured and
that organization is looking for
grounds less subject to overflow. 1t is
very fitting that the wage workers of
the city should use their organization
to promote the enterprise for public
Iark is always used the most by their
own families. 1t is the hope of this
newspaper that every organized body
of citizens will cooperate in this park
project.
The amount of crime rampant In the
city as the result of the visit Of a dis
reputable midwest show and the at
tendant cost to the city for police pro-
lection would suggest that the mayor
could well have sliding scale for IL
censes and put the price up for aggre-
cations Of this kind to such figure as
will at least cover the ci:y's cost If not
discourage their coming.
The conservative way in which both
the Iowa Central men aud the officials
met one another in their wage adjust
ment this year would indicate that both
had learned something in last years
strike. In the first place there was a
notable absence Of that blow and blus
ter among the local takers and more
workmen. There seemed
to be disposition to allow the cooler
heads to manage the affairs of the
unions. On the other hand there was
no unnecessary evasion Of the demands
of the men on the part OF the officials.
but everything was conducted as any
important business transaction should
be. The T.-R. has always contended
that last years strike, with its great
loss to both men and company, could
have been avoided and the same wage
effected. This years expe-
rience demonstrates 1t.
AS II would appear to an average
man it will not affect the situation in
any way whether the scientists can
agree on the facts or not. SO long as
none Of them have been able to find
wrong with our city water as
it comes direct from the drive wells the
thing for the city to do is to see that
this water is delivered to citizens in the
same perfect condition For this pur1
pose reservoir is necessary, SO let's
build it without the needless loss of |
time.
The recent case of a plumber being |
called before the council to prevent his
license being recalled because of incom-
petent work his men were caught In the |
act of doing and his statement before
the council that hundreds of sewer and
water connections had been made by
plumbers without first securing the
proper permit discoses a laxity in city
that SHOULD be corrected.
The present superintendent of mains
and CITY council should be commended |
for their efforts to bring the plumbers
to time. Failure on the part OF plumb
ers to report taps made upon the water
pipes has caused the city the loss of
thousands of dollars In uncolleeted wa
ter rents and the careless tapping OF
mains Is undoubtedly responsible, In
large measure, for the condition of our
water system, in which water becomes
rolled every time excessive pressure is
used. Were the sewers and water pipes
The property of private individual
none but the most trusted man In his
employ could touch the mains. The