Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-12-26

without calling on the experience OF
regular charity workers. These people
We're paid by the T.-R. outside OF the
charity funds and performed valua-
BILE service but there has been no little
criticism made as to the persons Sc
lected mostly by people who had no
money in the pot. The reply very nat
urally has been put your money in be-
fore you talk" Others might have made
it more clear by stating that no one
can draw cards In this game until his
money is in. The T-R called on those
who knew the poor and did the best
it could However, the whole experience
summed up teaches us that we must
have an organized charities assocla-
ton. An active association which Will
employ competent person to investi-
gate every case and keep a perfect re-
cord of all expenditures. Such an or
ganization ought to be formed by DEL
egates, one from each church society
in the city. Constituting an executive
board of directors. This board could
elect it's own officers and employ its
agent 1t would supervise all eNpendi-
lures. check all accounts and by means
of special committees direct the work
of each church society so that there
would be system and cooperation and
no duplication of work. Such body
could appeal directly to the public for
funds thru the Times Republican and
get all it would ever need for careful
relief work.
There is danger OF as much harm as
good In promiscuous unorganized
I, INr,inf
work Of the T.-R. has uncovered some
cases of unworthy impostors seeking
charity Again investigation has dis
covered that families once self-respect-
ing and self-supportng have been so
weakened and actually debauched by
charity that they have been ruined.
They now lean upon charity and refuse
to make an effort to help themselves
On the other hand many cases have
been discovered in which worthy and
needy persons prefer to go hungry and
cold before they will ask county aid.
We must have an organization and In
teligent cooperation in this work.
Here Is a chance for the preachers OF
the city to move their congregations
without waiting for Billy Sunday to
build q fire under those of us who pro-
fess to be Christian workers.
Marshalltown now has gas ordin-
ance that breathes intelligence. IT.
may be attacked in the counts. but
never seriously The Times Republican
has discovered enough about the gas
business to make this prediction with
confidence. Now for new electric light
ordinance. We are entitled to lower
rates and better service. Then let the
city council meet the owners of the
Marshalltown Light, Power and Rail-
way company and secure, II possible, |
q guarantee of better service. If this
company refuses In the coming sum-
mer to so improve its plant as to give
the quality of gas and electric current
which the city ordinances demand, the
city should refuse 1t the right to do /
business in Marshalltown. The mayor
has been notified that there are local
capitalists who would like to build a |
new gas plant for this city if the pres
emit company can be made to get out
of the way, and let somebody run as
can run. There is no need for a new !,
plant and one plant is enough il 1t can
be compelled to give standard service.
This the council can make the pres
ent company do If the council will first
coax and then show its teeth.
4
1t is matter Of public congratula-
ton to know that the Elks lodge pur
poses to erect building that will be
an ornament to our public streets. If
completed according to present plans it
will be as much of an architectural adj
{ha H1>ro 40
postoffice buildings.