Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-01-25

Editor Times Republican,:
| 1t gave ME a great deal of pleasure
to read your editorial of the 18th,
headed whats the Matter With
Iowa?" I wish to compliment you on
your grasp of the situation. There
will be nothing the matter with Iowa
| if she be put on parity with the other
sections of the country as it applies
| to freight rates You know we have
always been fond of that state, and it
| has been our endeavor to do everything
we could for her My business life
and experience are of the state. There
may be some sentiment in my desire
to foster our interests there. But as
I look at it, her growth has reached
it's limit, if we depend upon agricul-
ture. In other words, there are no
longer what might be termed natural
advantages" The population OF the
towns and cities Is up to the country,
and some are really overgrown, con-
sidering that farm land is being held
in larger blocks and the country will
not support any larger cities or towns.
Many manufacturers and large in
dustries cannot do we'll in Iowa, I'M
less the railroads see fit to adjust their
freight rates. The present adjustment,
or rate making Aiivision points-or, as
the railroads say, points where the
rates break'-is fast driving large
manufacturers and large interests to
these centers. 1t would seem that it
should be to the advantage of the rail-
roads, themselves. to create outside or
other centers, so as to relieve the con-
gestion that they have in the
larger places. The railroads admit that
this should be DONE but they fear to
take the first step, because they be-
lieve (altho ! claim wrongly that the
universal demand will reduce their
revenue.
Take Marshalltown. for instance.
You doubtless know we have a growing
manufacturing plant in the Spencer
Let's Coffee Company. We see great
future for this plant and we have about
decided to enlarge 1t. But when we
think of sending its products out of
the state, we find that the adjustment
OF freight rates is against much or
further enlargement at this point. It
is quite likely that we could maintain
the present plant at Marshalltown for
our immediate surroundings, but when
1t comes to outside shipments, and to
grow the plant as we would like. it is
necessary that there be some sort Of
freight rate equalization that will en-
able us to do it.
manufacturing plant at MARSHALL
town would be at disadvantage OF
about one-third Of a cent per pound
on goods received in less than carload
lots, and about one-eighth cent per
pound on goods received in carload
lots. II these goods were to be re-
shipped from Mars'halltown--as against
a basing point such as Chicago, Pc
oria. st. Louis, etc. where "the rates
break"
Some of our friends in the good old
town have wondered why the location
OF the new glucose plant, in which we
are interested. has been made near
Chicago instead Of out in Iowa. For
this same reason--freight rates. Some
Of our people advocate the establish
ment OF our manufacturing plant at
Chicago, or some other point where
the rates break. because the rates from
the south and east into these points
are less than they are to Marshalltown,
because when we ship out we can more
nearly protect the thru rate while
manufacturing in transit.
Again say, for sentimental reasons
we would like our enlarged plant at