Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-03-26
Citizens Must Take an Interest
In Special Election Petition
Ii Proposition Wins
CONCERTED ACTION NECESSARY
Belief That the Road Will Be Built,
Even Without the Local Tax, Must
Be Overcome, as Such Is Not the
case-Equity Must Be Forthcoming
Results So Far Not Satisfactory.

In common with most OF the people
! OF the city the Times Republican takes
a deep interest in the effort now being
Street ana Interurban railway people
To secure per cent tax In support of
| their proposition. The T.-R. has kept
pretty close tab on the work OF securing
names to the petition, and there ap-
| pears to be quite a general apathy in
the matter. Everybody seems to think
that the road is going TO be built with
out any trouble, and for that reason no
particular interest is taken by the busi-
ness men and others In the work of
! circulating these petitions.
1t would seem that the time had come
for some plain speaking in this matter.
There seems 10 be some influence, or
set of influences. which keep the people
from signing, as first one excuse, and
then another is made, and the signing
put off. Among other objections the
most familiar one heard on the streets
is that the road will be built anyway.
whether this tax is voted or not. 1t is
time that the people should understand
that no interurban railway can be built
out of this city, at this time, unless
portion of the costs of the construction
of this road is paid by local money. This
fact has been so plainly stated so many
times, that 1t is surprising that any
one should be found who would ques
ton this condition. The eastern CAPT
talists have absolutely refused to pay
the whole costs OF the construction of
this road. They have said that they
would pay the bulk of 1t but that the
people would necessarily have to put in
some money. Ii we want this road we
must pay part of the costs. This is
final. The road viii not be constructed
unless we do. That being the case. what
more equitable way can be devised 10
pay this money than by tax that
places the cost equally on every one in
the city? Every man and woman in
the city Will be benefited by the con-
struetion of this line, hence let every
man and woman pay Il part of the
costs.
If the public could understand just
how poor this proposition Is, IN COM
parison with other projects that the are
eastern bankers. they would understand
how difficult it is to interest these
bankers In the project. They refuse to
take hold of the proposition al all unless
a portion OF the cost is paid locally.
How idle thsn to talk about graft and
profit in working out this project. The
men who are interested in this promo
ton viii be compelled to pay their por-
ton of this cost in common with other
people. The control and ownership of
tie road must be with the men VINO in
vest the bulk of the money. = The pres
ent stockholders in the company, as
we'll as the people who pay this tax,
must derive their profit from the gem
eral building up of the city, and its
business prosperity.
We are informed that the securing of
to the petitions is not NOV
ing as rapidly now as it should. The
people seem to be Indifferent in the
matter for the reason that they do not
think 1t necessary to vote the tax. for
the reason that the road would come
and they do not propose to
help on private snap. If we are COM |
petenit judges of the situation the mon
ey from this tax, or money from some |
other source. must come if we are to
have this road. Every man should con-
stitute himself a committee OF one to
see that his neighbor has signed this |
petition. No plea of being busy should |
hold against this necessary duty. Bet
ter that the stores and shops and offices |
of the city should be closed for a day, I
and the signing of this petition by |
sufficient number to call the election be I
made the business of the city for that t
day, than that the present condition of I
apathetic Indifference should contin-
ue.