Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-03-04

\ 214 E. Main st. 4
views on this subject. Some feel that
it is Dissertation of the Sabbath and
ought not to -be~pernttted = Others
claim that many working men have no
other day for recreation and that :;
good. clean game of. baseball ought to
be permitted on that day for their
benefit,
However this is question which
do not consider as very important
when compared with the many other
matters, of serious import which are
now before us, and besides it is not
proper issue in a campaign for the
election Of mayor for a careful exam
nation of the law. discloses the fact
that there isano city ordinance or state.
law prohibiting Sunday baseball, there
fore, the, mayor would have no author
ity in the matter one way or the
other. 49, ~,
Battle Row and Smoky, Row.
There are two localities in OttumMa
that have become so notorious that J
think they should have special men
ton ,
One is South Market street, some
times called battle row." and the 9TH
er is that part of the city somewhat
further. east called Smoky Row" The
first is located on the main thorough
fare between North and South Ottum-
wa, and / do not think it is just, .esps-
cially to the men, women and children
of South Ottumwa to compel them
dailyeto pass through a street, in such
condition, physically and morally, as
that has been for years. Even in case
-fsafoons are again opened in Ottunlwa
| do not believe any should be permit
lied on Market street south of Main.
Smoky Row is in some respects
worse than the other but is not locat-
ed in SO public place, but the condi-
tons in both Of these localities are a
disgrace to the city and both have
.fbeen-- the scene: of numerous brawls
and even murders and the expense
they have entailed on the city and
county runs far into the thousands.
The City Water Supply.
1 There are some other matters Of a
business nature Of which wish to
speak First, our city water supply.
/. Ottunwa has never had an adequate
supply of water either for use or for
fire protection. The quality of the
water is at some times good, but at
other times it is very bad we ought
to have at all times an adequate sup.
ply of pure, wholesome water. This
is necessary for the health and com
fort Of the people Of our. city. We
should also have sufficient pressure al
all times for protection against fires
If the owners of the water company
are not complying with their contract
with the city, they should be required
to do so at once. If their, present
plant when equipped according to con
tract, is not sufficient to give adequate
service as above outlined, measure.
should be taken to give the people
proper service.
The same principle should in my
judgment prevail in regard to all 9th
.er public service corporations. The!
should be paid an adequate price TO
their product and should in return
:, therefor be required to furnish goot
and satisfactory service.
Properly iaxation.
The matter of the assessment o
property for taxation has been a vey
ed, question for many. years When
! was a member of the city council some
fsixteen years ago I found that th,
owners of homes valued at from $500
to $4,000 paid a larger tax in proper
ton to the actual values of their prop
critics: than. any other persons in th,
city. t..
Properties Of that class are NOR,
!. easily valued at their correct worth b.
(, the assessors, than those costing
greater sum and there Is no possibil
ity of concealment Consequently tn;
proportion of tax charged to them il
greater than it should be when com
pared with more valuable propertie
and with properties that through con
cealment or otherwise escape taxation
| I took the lead at that time in bringin
' this matter before the council sittin
as board of equalization and urge
= an equal apportionment Of the bu,
! dens Of taxation. still entertain tn
: same views on the matter and if cleo
: ed mayor viii do all in my power t
l. euualize the assessment Of taxes on al
property subject thereto.
5 The question of the finances of tn
+ city is one which will demand carefr
i attention. Taxes are already some
4 whas, burdensome and great care an
y prudence will. be necessary in the e!
penditure of the revenues of the cit.
s Needless expenses should be cut O
J.. and valuable return required for e'
, cry dollar paid out q.
|. cttumwa's Business Interests.
y There is another matter which doe
not pertain to city administration blu
: in which every citizen of OttumWa
|. deeply interested.
t ottnmwa has for MANI rna1s -