Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-03-24
Well-Known Retired Farmer
OF the City Asks Questions
Concerning Interurban
FOR PuBLlc's ENLIGHTENMENT
is Satisfied in His Own Mind That
the Interurban Will Benefit Every
Taxpayer, But Says That He Finds
Others Who Believe to the Contrary
His Questions Answered.


pertaining to the construction OF tns
line OF the Marshalltown Electric
Street q Interurban Railway Company
be answered. More particularly. in the
answ ers, does Mr.. Walker want IL
show that there is no graft in build
ing the road as has been stated by
some on the streets Mr.. Walker mas
talked with many of the retired farm
ers Of the city, in discussing the inter-
urban, and he finds that some feel that
the proposition to vote tax Is
scheme on the part of the promoters IL
benefit themselves, providing the lint
is built He does not believe this him
SELF and is more than willing to pay
his small share of extra tax to helr
the proposition along.
In discussing the interurban on the
streets Mr.. Walker has had questions
asked him that he could not answer
and for this reason he addresses his
communication to the T.-R., that hs
may have assistance, and at the sans
time present to those who are asking
the same questions, the answers. Mr.
Walkers communication Is as fol-
lows:
Editors Times Republican: - Re-
garding the proposed new interurban
railroad we hear adj sorts of rumors,
arguments and discussions, for and
against, until the average citizen hard
l., Nm 4. ,tt y, aff,y
believing that men in your positions
are public servants to a certain extent,
I would respectfully request that you
answer the following pertinent ques-
tons, and make plain to the best of
your ability, the whole situation as
you honestly believe DIT exists. In the
first place an a small tax payer, own
ing property to the value of about
$500. While / have nothing to give
away, l wish to be considered a fair
minded, liberal citizen of Marshall-
town. and fully realize the e,ity's pros
perity means mine to a greater or
lesser extent.
ITO begin with, win you explain who
first introduced this proposition to
Marsha'ltown; how the question was
each individual at present interested in
its promotion financially. l find that
some of those with whom have talked
believe the Whole proceedings to be a
graft on the part of the promoters, to
get anywhere from $1,000 to $4,000
apiece, If the deal goes thru. 1 have
lived, in this county for nearly forty
years, and / still have faith in a large
per cent OF cur citizens and CT one
don't believe this But how can the ar
guanent be refuted to the satisfaction of
those who do. Again. we find many
who say the road will be built If we
never raise q cent of tax. What Dis
your opinion on this point?
Going back to the early history Of
MarshaNtown, can you cite any valu-
able improvements that have been
made here, that We're ilot promoted by
a committee of our citizens, and of
those that were promoted have you any
evidence of graft being worked. For
instance, take the following: Securing
the county seat, the Iowa Central rail-
road, the Great Western railroad, the
water works system, the oil mills, the
old sugar refinery, the present street
railway system, the packing house, the
Soldiers Home, the canning factory,
the pottery plant. How many of the
above Industries came here of their
own accord and how many paid tribute
to the so-called CRATER who promoted
them.
We understand that, heretofore
when money has been raised or
pledged for public entertainment or
Improvement, that a committee gener-
ally waits upon the business men with
II request for from $40 10 $25 and up
Am | to understand that the small
property holders and retired farmers
are included in this list? Again, does
the committee which goes around with
this paper get any rake off in the
form of 'graft?' In case this railroad
project does not carry, what effect will
it have on this class OF citizens rela-
tive to contributions While we all
deplore excessive taxation, isn't it a
fact that where we find the highest
taxation we find the greatest prosper
ity and the highest land values? VIII
you mention the names of some of our
largest taxpayers, stating about what
this additional tax will cost them, and
also how they stand on the question?
II there is any graft connected with
this proposition, / am at a loss to see
how the large taxpayers can escape it
any better than | can and | can't help
but feel that II some of them can risk
several hundred | ought to stand the
few dollars it would cost me. especial
~ as l understand there is no money
to be paid until the road is finished
and in operation. In your own opinion
If this project does not carry, what eff
feet will it have on the price of realty
and the business prosperity of the city?
Would a lower taxation raise the vail
lie of property in Marshalltown?
Finally, will you state just what
would happen il the, project We're sue
cessful, how many people would be
given employment, and how much of
this money would be put into circula-
ton in Marshalltown, and in what
way? Where would the power house
be located, and would any additional
track be laid in this city?
y. III. WALKER,
Farmer"
Facts Concerning Interurban.
In Fall yt,,.r ,{,,t-a