Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-09-10
!: LOOKER.ON IN IOWA

S'SSSSSSS SS'SS'S'S"S'S"S''S'SS'T
Odebolt Sept. st wish you fellows
would stop this everlasting talk about
a big crop of corn in Iowa. Suppose
we do raise 100000, 900 bushels of corn,
and 1 doubt 1t very much, what's the
use of talking so much about it? The
eastern dealers read it and then hold
off from buying, whereas if they
thought we had a short crop they'd
pay more. Look at the wheat business.
All the talk about black rust was a big
thing for the farmers. Those who had
wheat to sell made big money. And
this talk about Iowa's big corn crop
works just the opposite" So said an
Iowa grain dealer in Sulphur Springs.
And the writer has heard this argument
advanced before. Many believe it good
policy to always belittle what they
raise on their own farm. Just the same
the law of supply (reaD and demand
(reaD fixes prices beyond what we
newspaper fellows" write and print.
The writer was in Sioux City last
Sunday, and once more was forced to
admire several things. At this writing
their interstate stock fair, which is only
a high sounding name for a big "ag-
ricultural horse trot," has had a sue
cessful meeting. This in so far as
exhibits are concerned, no matter what
the financial outcome is. And the rea-
son why the corn palace was success
full was because they had good pushing
men behind the enterprise. So it is
with this present fair.
cs.a.x- C;+,, 70 ct Incoming a. rival
to DUBUQUE as "a state" little
thing like a mulct law, does not stand
in the way, if in the opinion Of the city
authorities it needs amending. So
II o'clock at night is the present hour
for closing the saloons. And the
writer is told that these same city au-
thorities, realizing that in a city OF
$4,000 there will be certain amount
of gambling carried on, think best not
to keep up continued warfare against
the gambling houses, with the lnclden-
tai expense to the city and county, so
they are allowed to run and at stated
and regular periods the propr1etors are
arrested and fined. Some claim this
fine business puts 100000 yearly into
the city treasury, which would De
lost if the gambling business was not
winked at Coming, as the writer does,
from the moral town of MarshalltoWn,
and not being accustomed to city ways,
these figures sound big.
ess
And Sioux City is in the grasp of
an octopus, trust bound and ridden
and rather seems to enjoy the stu
alton. The electric car line is owned
and operated by the packing house
interests, notably Swift and Armour.
They also own and operate the gas
and electric light companies. From ne
cessities they go to luxuries, and own
the grounds of Riverside Park, also
the grounds where the fair is held. ID
the latter the car line is reported 10
have given $4,000 towards the exhibit
tion. Meanwhile, if you go to River
side or the fair, you are sure to hand
a nickel to go, and a nickel to come,
70 the electric car line company, for
both are several miles from the post
office or city proper. And it is only
f.;r to saw that 1.-The octopus" gives the
naonle a very good service in q seven
minute schedule on many streets, and
good gas and electric light plant at
nrices lower than in some places where
an Individual has such franchise. Less
,,rices than in some cities where the
citv itself owns the plants.
rs a study to watch the crowd that
ooes to Riverside park every Sunday
For base ball and other anusements.
Noticing the make up Of the crowd, one
cannot help asking what would they
40 on Sunday if there was nowhere
to 60" Ninety-fve per cent of these
sunday pleasure seekers are young and
old that work for wages. Work from
Monday morning till Saturday night,
civ DAYS in the week and f1fty-two
weeks in the year. Whether 1t should
ha otherwise or not does not alter the
s.ct that church and church services
nave little or no attraction for these
neople. They are cooped up six days
n a week, in shop. factory, or store,
ond the inside of a church on a hot
sunday offers no rest, no recreation
II struck the writer that the octopus
could also pick UP some nickels on
these Sundays, IL in addition to the
riverside, Sioux City park and fair
Grounds. they should establish some