Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1906-08-09
MASS MEETING SELECTS MEN TO
APPOINT GENERAL COMMIT.
TEE TO SECURE slGNERS
Those Chosen Are J. X. Dysart, j. G..
Hutchinson, }. A. Phillips, John Den-
mis- and j. w. Neasham-Many
Speakers Discuss Problem.

A committee of five men was ap-
pointed at mass meeting last evening
to appoint general committee OF two
or more from each ward for the pur-
pose of securing the signatures of free
holders to petition asking the city
council to call special election on the
proposed interurban tax levy.
This action was taken at meeting
held in the Grand Opera house to con-
slider and further the matter Of voting
8 per cent tax for the building of
the interurban line between Ottumwa
and Buxton and Des Moines, as pro-
jected by the Ottumwa and Southeast
eer Iowa Interurban Railway Co.
The members of the subcommittee,
which was appointed at a meeting
some time ago, gave their reports of a
visit to Chicago and Indianapolis,
which they made in connection with
was 10 consult with the promoters Of
the proposed line about a lower tax
aid and to investigate interurban con-
ditions In the cities named.
Should Take Action,
The general feeling Of the men who
composed the committee was that &C.
ton should be taken on the matter at
once, either to accept the proposition
or decline It, The report established
plainly the fact that the promoters of
the line would not accept less than a
three per cent levy, and an interview
with John G. Fetzer of Chicago, was
repeated in which that gentleman stat
ed to the committee that It would be
impossible to finance such a PROPOSE
ton as the project for less than that
amount of tax aid.
The committeeman stated that at
this time the city of Ottumwa and the
citizens were up to business propo-
be taken up at once, If anything were
to be done this year.
The meeting was not very largely
attended, but the sentiment of those
present seemed in an overwhelming
majority in favor Of voting the three
per cent aid. Major T. P. Spilman was
elected chairman and A. G. Lyon, Sec
rotary. The reports Of the sub-commit-
tee, which was IN Indianapolis and
Chicago, were heard. This committee,
composed of ]. G.. Hutchinson, A. W.
Lee and F. B. Clark urged that action
to secure the signatures of a majority
of the property holders of the city to
the petition to the council asking for a
special election to vote on the tax aid,
be taken.
When this is done the citizens Of the
city will be allowed to vote on the
proposition of three per cent levy on
one-quarter of the value of their prop
erty as is understood in the petition,
which will be circulated.
The committee of five men appointed
to name a general committee of two
or more from each ward to secure sig.
natures to this petition is composed of
John B. Dennis, j. X. Dysart, ]. G..
Hutchinson, j. A. Phillips and J. W.
Neasham.
After the reports OF the committee
the remainder Of the evening was de-
voted to the open discussion of the pro-
posed taxation.
Major Mahon was called upon for
short address and said in part:
Mr.. Chairman and Gentlemen: AS
result of meeting held in the court
house some time ago in regard to a
tax for the proposed interurban rail-
way from Ottumwa, west to Buxton
and on to Des Moines, a committee
was appointed, first composed of
eleven men, afterwards fifteen, of
which your humble servant was chair
man.
At that initial meeting a PROPOSE
ton of per cent tax was made for
the aid of the interurban. There ap-
peared to be little or no objection to
the proposed proposition. The gentle
men who represented the railway were
here in person and it was taken for
granted per cent tax would be ap.
Piled for. On different occasions the
committee labored to reduce this tax
proposed and your committee suggest
ed 8 per cent tax instead Of per
cent. This was rejected by the pro-
motors and members of the committee
of fifteen resolved to get up petition
to pay the expense if it came to an
election and also see the petition Sc.
cure.
"a few days work and it was seen
that the committee was unable to OBJ.
tain per cent tax. The promoters
again met with the committee and
agreed to accept a 8 per cent aid A
form of petition was agreed upon,
which protected the city in certain re.
spects in regards to length of time and
certain work on the part of the COM
pany.
"The 3 per cent proposition did not
appeal strongly to the public and they
took up a proposition on a per cent
basis. The promoters said that 1t was
impossible to go any further in the
matter on that sort Of plan. The COM
mittee then sent subcommittee to
Chicago and Indianapolis and began to
get a proposition of yes or no. take
hold or let 60 1t was understood by
this subcommittee on their arrival,
that if Ottumwa desired an interurban
railroad, it must vote per cent tax.
81 am thoroughly satisfied that now,
it is question Of yes or no. if the
community desires the interurban. |
believe line will be built and prompt
ly, if the tax is voted. If it is not vot-
ed the line will not be built so far as
these promoters are concerned
1.-THE committee has worked hard 10
reduce the tax and this is the result
If Ottumwa wants the line built by this