The Oskaloosa herald., 1909-03-25
THE IOWA CENTRAL
SHOP PROPOSITION
HITTING DEFINITE CAN BE DONE
FOR A FEW DAYS.
ENGINEERS COMING HERE
VIII Survey the Land and Report On
Best Probable site--Another
Conference viii Then
Take Place.

7 Z. dNO TidGCs
The 0skaloosa Commercial Club
committee, which visited General Man
ager Cutter in Minneapolis on Friday,
to discuss the probable removal OF
the Iowa Central shops to oskaloosa,
are very much encouraged over the
prospect, though nothing definite could
be done for the present.
The committee comprises Messrs,
w. H. Kalbach. r. ID. Walton, A. Ros-
enblatt and c. e. I.ofand. Mr.Lotiand
was unable to accompany the other
members. The three who did 90 are
much pleased over the cordial recep-
ton rendered them and are impressed
with the thought that the present man
agement OF the road mean business
and that when the shops are finally 10.
Gated at this time they win be there
! to stay.
While Oskaloosa is the logical point,
there are many things to be consid'
cred in proposition that involves so
much valuable property, and the re.
moYal will be done only when the own.
ers Of the road have been fully salts
fed that it is the wise thing TO do. II
Oskaloosa is awarded the preference,
a consideration Of land or cash, or
both viii be expected from the people
of the city to help the railroad bear
the loss which is sure to follow a
change of this calibre.
Mr.. Cutter made 1t very clear to the
committee that whatever move is
made will be made within very short
time, so that work may be begun at
once New and enlarged shops are to
be built and whether they are located
at MarshaIItown or at Oskaloosa they
win be erected this year. He was
also emphatN in the statement that 1t
was not a matter of competition be-
tween Oskaloosa and Marshalltown, or
to which city would give the biggest
bonus The welfare of the road
would be the first consideration, and
whatever might be asked or accepted
from either town would be a part OF
the new and unusual burden that
would be placed upon the road in max
ing the changes.
II the shops come to oskaloosasfrom
$50 to 500 men VIII be transferred
from Marshalltown to Oskaloosa. II
the shops are built at Marshalltown,a
portion OF the men now employed in
Oskaloosa will be taken to Marshall
town. The building of the shops
means the concentration OF the oper-
ating departments of the road at the
place at which they are located.
Another Interview with the commit,
tee is to be had, and nothing definite
in the way o. propositions can be
made until that time. Meanwhile the
railroads civil engineers will be sent
I'd Oskaloosa to survey the grounds
and recommend what site would be
most desirable in their opinion, for
the location OF the shops. Three or
four locations will be surveyed. When
these reports are made and other I'm
portant considerations are canvassed,
W.T. SullSl VIII .uOlily Iuc
that he is ready to receive them again
and then something tangible will re-
sulL.
The committee is impressed with
the thought that Oskaloosa now has
the best chance she has ever had to
get the shops, and also the last
chance. If a favorable proposition is
made or accepted, our people should
rally to the support OF the CONNER
cial Club and close the deal at once.
II we get the shops it will be the big
gest enterprise Oskaloosa has ever
landed. u not, We will suffer ma
terial loss. On the other hand, the
railroad company, like any other bust
ness institution, must do the best it
can to further its own interests and
place the shops where they will be
most seryiceable at the least cost Of
maintenance. The final decision will
no doubt be reached within a fort
night.