Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1912-04-17

however, now that the two sides have
been presented, the news columns are
closed to further argument. The Kissel
Kar Company's communication fol-
lows:
Editor Times epublican: Tho col
umns Of your paper being open to us,
we wish to reply to Mr.. A. E. Gunzen-
hauser's remarks in your Saturday
issue Of the T-R. relative to the fire
truck. In making this reply we wish
those who read 1t to understand that
we do not have the interests Of the
taxpayers at heart as did Mr.. Gunzen-
hauser, as we realize that the average
individual who has accumulated suf-
ticient of the worlds goods to make his
taxes an interesting item has done bet
ter than we. and undoubtedly he will
be more successful by following his
own intent than have US handle his
business for him.
Neither do we intend this to further
the sale Of the Kissel Kar fire truck.
Our proposition has been submitted to
the men whom the majority of the
citizens have deemed competent to
handle the municipal affairs. and what
ever their decision Is We viii abide by
it without murmur But we con-
slider it our duty to say to all con-
cerned, and that seems to be largely Mr..
Gunzenhauser. that two Of our most
respected citizens have been grossly
insulted, and 1t is this we wish to cor
rect.
Mr.. Gunzenhauser says that he can
not see how any fair minded man could
vote for any truck among those listed
other than the one chosen by him. Mr..
Bowe and Mr.. Mohr. the other men,
bers Of the committee chosen to ex-
anime the specifications handed in. were
decidedly in favor OF the Kissel Kar
truck, and the remark made by Mr..
GunZenhauser indicates that Mr.. Mohr
and Mr. Bowe are men without suff1ct-
ent honor to hand in an unbiased de-
cision as to their views Of fire truck
construction.
Mr.. Bowe and Mr.. Mohr have been
citizens Of Marshalltown for years. and
both show an absolutely clear record in
every way. One Of our most success
full business men and highly respected
citizens Mr. A. A. Moore. has seen fit
to entrust a business of enormous pro- +;
portions to Mr.. Bowe's management. |
The business is being successfully
managed and only man Of honor and
integrity could handle it. AS to Mr..
Mohr it Is only necessary to refer to
the last city election and note the close
ness Of the run between him and Mayor
Jones to form an idea Of the esteem
in which he Is held by our citizens.
These facts indicate to some extent the
caliber Of these men whose honor has
been questioned by Mr.. Gunzenhauser
simply because their views were diff |
ferent.
When Mr. Gunzenhauser handed in
his report he did all that was requested
of him The reports are on file in the
city clerks office, where every one in /!
rerested can see them, and we do not
believe that the city officials or the
taxpayers agitated any outburst OF this
kind. Furthermore. the Kissel Kar
truck has not been bought, nor has the
mayor and commissioners made any
move toward buying It, In Mr.. Gun
zenhauser's letter he assumes the atti-
tude Of q salesman rather than that
Of an unbiased Judge.
Mr.. Gunzenhauser refers to our
truck as a low powered machine and
says that 1t has beer stuck in the mud
and unable to turn its wheels. We ad-
NIT that the truck was stuck in the
mud, but Mr. Gunzenhauser does not
state that the clutch was creased, evil
the sale Of this particular car, and that
after removing the grease that We
moved it out Of the mud hole under it's
own power AS yet the truck has not
been pulled one inch by any other
power other than its own and after
getting the machine back into oper-
alive condition we have made several
demonstrations to the city officials and
in every instance have proved it equal
to every occasion.
Mr.. Gnzenhauser also says that the
truck now being used by the city will
not give SatiSfac tion- We do not know
where he gets his information on this
particular machine, but very likely the
kissel Motor Car Company, which at
present operates one Of the largest truck
building plants in the world. knows
about as much about truck building as
does MI. Gunzenhauser and as to the
satisfactory service that it has rem
dered it Is only necessary TO question
Chief Kirby. Captain Pigman or any
member Of the fire department at sta
ton No. 1.
The heads of many municipalities
turnout the United States. who might
be considered fair minded" men, have
selected the KISSED Kar fire truck in
preference to others and as yet we
have not heard Of any dissatisfaction.
In the sale of Kissel Kar trucks We
give the same guarantee that covers
our pleasure cars, and if the truck does
not give satisfaction we are here to
take It back. Having proved ourselves
thoroughly responsible we do not be-
lieve 1t necessary Tor any one person to
Worry much over the affair. Thanking
you for this privilege, we are,
Very truly yours,
KISSEL CAR COMPANY.
April E, 1912.