The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1911-01-19
What is Best Method to Pursue to Raise Money
For keokuks Future Was Question Before
Citizens Committee
JUDGE LOGAN OPPOSES BoNUSE;
"Only Bonuses That Keokuk Has to Offer are
Cheap Power and the Best Factory Sites in
the World, He Said.

The appointment Of three important
committees. a straightforward talk
from Judge William Logan, in which
the giving of bonuses other than fac
tor sites and cheap power was dealt
a hard blow, and an informal discus
sion of the absorbing topic among To-
cal jobbers of freight rates marked
the initial meeting of the Citizens
Committee which was held in the SUI
perior court room last night. The
most perplexing subject discussed
was that of finance.
That the committee has been moved
to speedy action by the problems con-
fronting this municipality at the pres
ent time was probably best shown at
the meeting. Many matters were
brought up and thoroughly discussed
and with almost a full attendance of
the committee members considerable
Roadway was made.
Bonuses Hard Hit.
1--WE have no bonuses to offer. but
the best location and the cheapest
power in the world"
Thus quoth Judge Vim. Logan dur
ing his interesting talk with which the
meeting was opened at 1880 o'clock.
In his opening remarks he went on
record as opposed to the payment of
bonuses to factories which may be
brought to Keokuk to take advantage
of the cheap power. He pointed out
that the big saving in electrical power
would be bonus enough, especially If
the city were in position to offer
free factory sites.
Belt Road-No.
Another thing which the judge EN-
phatically opposed was belt road,
which has already been suggested on
numerous occasions. 1T would be the
height of folly he said. /" There is
no necessity for 1t yet. 1t would cost
100000 and we do not need it with
the present factory sites.
eve can increase the population OF
Keokuk to 100000. Don't be in a
hurry. The old men of Keokuk put a
debt on the city of $4,000 and we
do not want to follow their example. {
Houses Built In SOS.
Back in 1857, declared the judge,
there were fifteen hundred houses
built in Keokuk. 100000 was raised
for one railroad which was never built,
100000 for the building of wharf
which was never built
Whatever comes up look at it intel
ligently," he exhorted. The people
must convince us that their factory
is worth having. Work cannot be done
in day, week or year, but will
take some time"
Should Exercise Care.
AS an instance of what care and
prudence must be exercised in bring
ing legitimate factories to Keokuk,
Judge Logan pointed out Hutchinson,
Kansas. Two factories were brought
to Hutchinson and a big price paid
them for making the move. Today
they are worthless. A third for which
nothing was paid, is one Of the most
thriving in the Mississippi valley
He closed his remarks by declaring
that the hest location and cheapest
power were the bonuses that Keokuk
could offer to manufacturers of the
country.
Elder Made Permanent Chairman.
The Introductory remarks by Judge
Logan were followed by the effecting
of a permanent chairman. Mayor ]
F. Elder was made permanent chair.
man: E. Ross Baker was made secre.
tary, and George e. Rix was made
treasurer.
Mayor Elder declared that 1t was the
duty Of the committee to lay founda.
ton for future work. He told OF a
bill which had been framed for intro
duction into the legislature which had
to do with raising funds and of the
need OF business organization to
buy sites If necessary.
Committees Named.
The suggestion and motions which
follow dealt with the routing mat