Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1905-10-21
LOCAL COMMENT

The mass meeting movement to sue
the Barber Asphalt Company may be
the best way to force a settlement in
the veSatious paving controversy. The
T.-R. is not going to criticise it adj
versely unless the movement results IN
unnecessary, litigation. 1t would seem
that some lawyer ought to be genius
enough to devise method whereby
settlements out of court could be eff
fected. The paving is down and Is
worth something. The suggestion has
been made that the Asphalt Company
will extend their guarantee under bond
for three or possibly five years. Il
SO, this would be something toward
settlement. 1t should now be admitted
by both sides that the paving is not d
substantial compliance with the con-
tract and the business method would
be for the asphalt company to throw
off something on the price and settle.
If one citizen were in controversy with
a contractor both would endeavor to
get together and settle.
y
Here is an idea that occurs to the
T.-R without suggestion from living
soul. Invite the mayors of the five
towns of Eldora. Tama, Toledo, Nevada
and Grinnell to come here, witness
samples of the paving and arbitrate
the dispute, the paving company ane
citizens all STIMULATING an agreement
to abide and settle by the decision OF.
the arbitrators. Mayors Of such towns
are always the keenest business men
of their communities, and would be
wholly disinterested. Lawyers. appear.
ing upon a contingent fee contract
could divide the oyster on the bases
of the arbitrators finding just as well
as upon the decision of a court Or jury.
Let's try arbitration in place of going
to war.
The mayor insists that he Is not
promoting litigation but that he in
tends to force settlement which shall
include everybody, the fellow who has
waived, and the fellow who has paid
and the city itself, as we'll as the fell
low who has resisted and won. If the
mayor has complete command of his
war dogs and this is his program, let
them bay at the quarry until he sur
renders, but in any event, settle when
fair terms are offered.
Altho the criminal business Of the
county during the year ending Septem-
Der 80 was quite small, in sentences and
fines imposed on conviction, the coun-
ty seems to have spent a large am ourt
of money in prosecutions. The amount
is represented in the sum of $1S,41l.25.
paid out to prosecute criminals, fe'r
which thirteen were convicted.
Potatoes are going to be more OF
luxury this year than last, and the
farmer who harvested large crop will
realize a good profit from Its disposal.
The facts in the potato crop this year
bear out predictions Of farmers last
fail, when Marshall county raised such
an immense yield It was then stated
that this years crop was sure to be
small, as two heavy yields in consecu-
tive years have never been known.
y
The fact that Cuonty Treasurer
Cooper has for the delinquent tax list
this year a larger number of names
than last year, is no indication that
money matters with farmers and other
realty holders are In any different con-
ditions than during the preceding year.
Delinquencies in taxes are, for large
part, due to carelessness on the part Of
the taxpayer Paying taxes is an easy
matter to put off till some more con-
venient time, and the first one knows
his name is published as a delinquent,
oftentimes much to his disliking. This