Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1906-12-29
Local Comment


There is no need OF seeking Califor-
MIA climate for fine weather, when
Iowa furnishes such an open December
as 1t has this year.
y
Mayor Ingledues recent suggestion
to the city council. to the effect that
the street commissioner be given win
ter duties In looking after. defective and
dangerous sidewalks, Is one that the
council should act upon. For some
reason or another the council did not
appear to grasp the situation, or at any
rate did not realize the Importance OF
the mayors suggestion. There are
many walks in different parts Of the
city that are covered with dee from the
beginning Of winter until spring. Eaves
spouting, in many instances, pour wa
ter over the walks in daytime, only to
freeze at night. These walks can not
help but be dangerous. Some one falls
and breaks an arm or a leg. The city
is made defendant in suit for per-
sonal injuries. or else pays a Doctors
bill to escape action In court.
1t is only to relieve the city Of the
Inability Of damage suits that the may
or has suggested making the street
commissioners responsible for the con-
dition Of walks, rather than some COM
mittee on the council itself The may
or goes on the theory that what is ev-
erybody's business, is nobody's busi-
ness, and he is about right. A member
Of the council does not like to take an
aggressive attitude to compel some
friend or business acquaintance to keep
his walk free from ice, and because OF
this hesitancy, the walk remains dan
gerous. With the street commissioner
the case would be different. He will
have been employed for the purpose OF
inspection and his complaints will be
matters OF duty, with him. If the
warning Is not needed the street COM
missioner can follow up his notice and
do the work himself, assessing the cost
to the property.
II the retail merchants association
succeeds in remedying the defects in.
lighting and platform facilities at the
union station, 1t will have accomplish
ed q public good that will be deeply
appreciated. The Northwestern rail-
way has no main line station In Iowa
where more people change cars than at
Marshalltown, and its station here
should be lighted accordingly. The
matter Of another train shed or gates
will have to come in time, and perhaps
would be cheaper now than some pos
sible damage suit. They certainly would
be vastly safer.
rnfr no dYrynO
stormy weather that women with bum
dies to carry are not trying to board
either Northwesternfor Iowa Central
train or other women with small chill
dren in tow are alighting at the union
station. They land on the second plat
form, perhaps ankle deep In snow, the
Northwestern train blocks the flrst
tracks from Third avenue to Second
avenue If passengers try to walk
around they must wade up into the
switch yards. If they stand in the cold
and wait they will make a rush for the
station without being able to see In the
dark that there is no planking between
the Northwestern tracks except In
spots and the danger Of serious acci-
dent is ever present, to say nothing OF
the Inconvenience and exposure The
two roads. could be induced to correct
these difficulties If showing Of condi-
lions were made.
"The biggest Christmas trade ever
had" is the verdict Of practically ev-.
cry merchant on Main street, and there
is little wonder that the result was SO.
Marshall county raised the largest crop
this year that she ever raised. Mar
shalltown's factories are employing
more men and paying higher wages
than were ever paid before. Practical
ly every habitable house Is occupied
Times are very, very prosperous. Bus
iness ought to be good. But there is
still another reason for an unprece-
dented trade Several of Marshall
towns merchants have shown nerve
enough to branch out into double stores
with increased stocks, and have gone
after business in the modern way.
They have done greatly increased
business and they deserved 1t. The