Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-06-04
OUTSIDE POINT OF VIEW
The Kick Receiver Of Brooklyn.

The Kick Receiver OF Brooklyn.
His official title escapes the writer.
but there is an official Ia Brooklyn, N.
Y. (appointed probably by the may
orr. whose sole business is TO receive
public complaint, inquire into the mat
ter complained of and presumably TO
act as Il moving spirit in lessening the
evil. His jurisdiction. judging from the
varied assortment of complaints, covers
everything. One lady Whites him con-
corning cold street cars, another Tor
their lack of ventilation. Another asks
why crowd of loafers is allowed TO
stand on certain corner and make II
unpleasant to say the least. for ladies
| to walk by it. The conduct of police
men, motormen and conductors is a
fruitful source of kicking letters. Fail
ure to close saloons is pointed out to
him if they fail to comply with the law
Actions of school children and teachers
are brought to his attention. Anything
| in the nature of complaint. where the
citizen thinks city ordinances are brok-
an or non observed, is a proper subject
about which to write or call upon the
kick receiver of Brooklyn, n. y. 1t
seems that when he first was appointed
his duties were nil, the public ignored
his existence; but in an evil Tor GOOD
hour he wrote an open letter inviting
the public to kick. Since then he has
to work nights and Sundays to keep UP
his correspondence and investigating
duties.
Is not here an idea for the next leg
islature to work upon? Gradually but
surely we are adding to our state Off
Gals in the way of numerous boards
and commissioners. Mr.. Rankin Will
ask for an appointment of state mar
shals. The writer (and many others)
want a board of pardons in Iowa. The
writer and others want state official
appointed whose sole business shall be
to examine the books of all county OFF,
Gals, and institute a universal state
plan Of bookkeeping. We have now a
board of control. a pharmacy board a
labor commissioner. Complete the as
osrtment by having a beard of public
complaint, to consist of one man Cor
woman) whose duties shall be identi-
cal with the kick receiver of Brooklyn.
Some super-sensitive soul may object
to this term-kick receiver. Look up
your encyclopedia and lntest dictionary.
A kicker, or to Kick. is not only now
good English, but has ceased to be
slang. SO that If the official title of
this to be appointed board is John
Jones. kick receiver of Iowa, 1t will be
perfectly proper.
1t will not be sinecure. Just a few
suggestions of the complaints he will
receive All of the infractions of the
prohibition and the mulct laws will
come or be brought to his notice. Whis-
ky drug stores will furnish many kicks.
The railroads many -observances
of law will afford a fruitful theme CUT
ting. or rather the not cutting. of weeds
or willow hedges on the highways may
be mentioned. The lack of fire escapes
on hotels will certainly be the subject
of letters from the travelling men. The
frequent placing of seats in the aisles of
our churches when crowded will cause
the ungodly In our midst to write the
kick receiver. And think of the nom
observance of curfew bell ordinances
why this will fill his mali! Oh, there's
plenty of work laid out for him. Incl
dentally the writer is not a candidate
for the position. Rules OF order in this
case will not require "tha appointment
of the maker of the motion"