Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-02-13
Local Comment

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People have changed in Marshall
town. Ten years ago the giving OF
money to public enterprises was dor
mant in Marshalltown. The custom
was almost out of repair, so much so
| that it was matter of comment. Ihe
| T.-R. for years would scold about it,
but little impression was made. How
ever, in recent years things have
changed. The Y. Nj. c. A. was built by
popular subscription, then another
subscription was raised to pay Off
the mortgage the second subscription
coming easier than the first Recently
the Presbyterian church was built and
paid for on the day of dedication. Then
the Elks said that they would build
and business men smiled. 1t seemed
impracticable. but the Elks have
bought their ground and are advertise
ing for bids. Finally the Central
Church of Christ said they would build
new church. Wise men sneered at
the enthusiasm of a too ambitious
preacher, and members of the church
mentally resolved to sit down on the
movement, but SO much money mas,
been raised that the lot was purchase
this week and building costing from
$4,000 to $4,000 will be paid for on
the day of dedication. Money for pub
lie enterprises is coming easy in Mar
shalltown 1t would almost seem that
we lived in a college town.
=
If every business man could meet
and know the mind of Mr.. Cutter, the
new general manager of the Iowa
Central there would be an end to
apprehension as to the possible loss
OF the machine shops to the town.
Mr.. Cutter believes that the general
shops were located at Marshalltown
originally because this city was the
logical point on the line for its shops,
and he believes that the selection then
made was a wise one. 1t will be his
policy to build up the shops here to-
ward greater efficiency, and new ma
chinery is already arriving.
The new train service on the Great
Western goes into effect Sunday, CIV
ing Marshalltown two passenger trains
south and west in the forenoon, and a
train north and east at 1906 p. IN.
This evening train will carry a Pull
man from Des Mones to Waterloo,
arriving in the latter city at about
8 o'clock and lying over there until
the fast passenger comes along later
at night and picks 1t up for the run
to Chicago. Passengers making the
trip to Waterloo from either Des
Moines or Marshalltown can ride in a
Pullman, and those who wish to go to
bed early for a trip to chicago can
take a Pullman here at 1905 p. M, ar
irving in Chicago on the same train
that goes thru MarshalltoWn at 1920
10. M This will be a great conven-
fence for Chicago travel and should
attract business to the Great West
ern. The Pullman service now on the
Northwestern does not give MARSHALL
town the service which her people de-
sire. for the reason that passengers
for Chicago leaving on the train at
1850 p. m. can not get sleeper untll
they reach Cedar Rapids, when 1t often
occurs that berths reserved have been
sold twice and are occupied. The FAST
train for Chicago does not reach TINS
city until after midnight. If the North
western does not put Pullman on
No. 4 thru here at 1850 p. M, Mar
shalltown's Chicago travellers Will soon
be favoring the Great Western.
The campaign for better service IN
gas. electric lights, power and street
cars, has been started right Where "
will end depends upon the determine
tion of our citizens. If 1t Is possible, as
the lawyers believe, to revoke tue
franchise of the present company, anu
make room for a new company, thsie
is no question but that new apparatus
modern up-to-date machinery stc,
would give the maximum OF pubic
service at the lowest possible cost OF
production There has been a great
deal Of talk about local people buying
the present plant and the usual class
of ..knockers" have been standing
around claiming that few so-called
monied men here in town are trying
to buy the local plant for their own
profit. Inquiry among the men who
would most likely be interested IN
venture of that kind develops that they
have been convinced that the present
plant is so urgently in need of COSTLY
repair and extension that no new pur-
chaser could afford TO pay much -or
it, and that in the long run proflts
would be greater from new machinery.
However, the most Of the men busying
themselves in this matter have in mind
only an improved service, and they are
Indifferent as to who delivers it, just
so the service is improved and the
rates fixed at reasonable figure. Ey-
cry business man knows that our town
has grown to it's limit until the street
cars will extend their lines and give
more frequent service. Lot prices are
now SO high for inside property that
people Of fixed wage or salary in
comes find it discouraging to puy
homes or pay rent on land SO valuable.
With extended street car lines the real
estate men would get busy building up
new additions to the town. We must
have a live management in order to
cut the wire that is girdling the young
tree.
Not long ago the Osllaloosa Herald,
in commenting on the fact that Billy
Sunday was to hold meetings in this
city. asked editorially eff Sunday found
Ottumwa tough place. what will he
find when he gets to Marshal town.
In Oskaloosa the other night, on the
principal business street, two men
fought with bare fists within one block
of the mayors office. All efforts to
find a police officer were futile. despite
the fact that Mrs. Asher ran from her
restaurant to the mayors office to
sound the alarm, and Charley" Pike,