The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1912-03-03
Discussed Municipal Conditions az
the Regular Meeting Held FRI
day Evening at Labor
Council Hail.
SOME HEATED TALKS
speakers Expressed Their Dlsapprov-
al Of the Present City Govern
ment and Want Label
on Printing.

II the Keokuk Trades and Labor
Council have anything to say in the
coming election none of the present
city officials will occupy their re-
spective office chairs on April 1st
At a meeting held in their hall Friday
night they reviewed the actions OF
the present mayor and commission
ers which resulted In resolution to
the effect that they had been totally
unfit to have the affairs OF the city
in their charge.
Many OF the members who had
opinions to express in regard to the
political situation in Keokuk called In
vain for recognition from the chair.
Tumultous applause greeted those
who were successful in gaining the
attention of the meeting.
President Hemmy was the princi-
pie speaker and accused Mayor Elder
OF working against the laboring class
of people. He brought up the charge
that although there were no open
shops in Keokuk that Elder had de-
libcrately had a resolution passed by
the board of commissioners to the eff
feet that no more of the city print
ing should have the union label on 1t.
From the time that he took office up
to the present time he has worked
against the interests of organized la
Dor. Graft, he said, had been the bat
tie cry of the opponents OF the old
form of government but under the
present administration the condition
is as bad, if not worse than before
From this statement it was thought
that Mr. Kenny had accused the old
council of grating but in statement
after the meeting he denied that ne
meant any such construction put or
his remark.
"In the past few days" said Mr.
Kenny last night. there has beel
the dirtiest politics played on tn
streets of this city than has eve
been known here before and the thin
was put up simply to keep the peopl
who are most concerned from havin
anything to say about who shall b
elected mayor of this citI"
Curtis Koepf, the secretary of tn
council expressed himself as stron
against the present administratio
and condemning their methods OF 81
curing votes by hiring automobile
10 carry the voters to the polls. Th
police department was the subject {
much discussion in regard to thIlat
of discipline and enforcement of ii
anti-gambling ordinances 1t was ga
that many gambling houses and div,
are running openly and with poll
protection while others that have
same way incurred the enmity of d
department have been closed. Pc
rooms where minors are allowed
conTegate and make bets were al
talked of. Many of these plac
would be closed If the anti-gambli
ordinances were enforced, he said
George w. Baker called attenti
to the condition of the streets a
alleys and asked where the mon
that the commissioners were supp
ed to have saved for the city had be
spent, as 1t was not apparent TO a
one on the outside. Fifteenth sire
80 Mr.. Baker said, would have to
excavated in order to make it av
able fer traffic.
James W. McElroy took slap
the Industrial Association when
said it was composed of the social
aristocracy of the city and that
persons social standing was gil
preference over the best interest
the city They have done nothir
was McElroy's closing remark.
The following resolution was p
ed shortly before the close of
meeting: Resolved, that the Keo
Trades and Labor council is oppc
to the present administration.