Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1912-08-24
Local Comment

v0'oO3AoOoO0O0
Township road officers are to be con-
graduated for the very general atten-
ton given to the dragging Of their
roads this week. It demonstrates the
fact that these officials are ready to
give attention to their public work
when properly addressed on the matter
but every road superintendent Is a
busy farmer, usually the busiest in his
neighborhood, and it is as difficult
for him to look after roads in harvest
time as 1t Is to get a merchant to go
out on public committee on q Satur-
day. This point was illustrated on the
Lamoille road this week when within
few hours after a complaint as to
high weeds was read in the newspaper.
the road superintendent was at work
with his team and mower and local
farmers got out after supper the next
evening with their scythes.
Most Of our road troubles are due to
the fact that We depend upon the busy
farmer to do the work. We ought to
adopt the system in the townships Of
having all road work. the dragging in
cluded, done by regularly employed
other business to interfere These
| men and teams could be at work all Of
the time doing the dragging when
culvert and bridge work when not drag
ging
The Country Club members who
would improve the city's portion Of the
Ninh hi =
roads committee who would improve
the city's portion Of the main travelled
highways should contract with the city
council to drag these roads at the regu-
! lar price Of so cents per mile. The
council Is always looking for teams
to do the work and would welcome an
opportunity to unload responsibility Tor
| these roads upon Its critics.
An extensive piece Of grading is in
progress on three miles Of highway in
Marietta township from the Hartland
school south to Lomoille which will
eventually improve that road but
which Will ruin 1t for travel this sum,
mer unless some effort IL made to re-
| move the loose sod piled in the center.
In the hrst place there is too much
OF crown made and the result il to
leave steep slanting roadway on the
sides. Travel should be diverted to
the center Of the grade and the only
way this can be done il to thoroughly
disc the loose soil then drag It with
harrow and road drag or use field
roller on it II one can be found. It is
these new grades left in an unfinished
| condition that cause the public to call
the road men names when in fact the
work could be left so as to greatly
| improve the road. Sta
When they got down to actual hg-
| ures the merchants interested in maxi
! ing exhibits at the county fair DIS
covered that for s25 per year for each
ten feet Of booth frontage they could
| build a permanent exhibit hall and pay
for 1t In three years whereas their
temporary sheds were costing them
accumulated. This is a vindication Of
the Observation-Disclosures suggestion
made after the first years fair was
held.
| Upon the Strength Of the endorse
ment thus received this newspaper will
| repeat us IAcL t1iS
| fair board build an open shed for the
poultry exhibit and either extend the
amphitheater with open bleachers on
the west or I'LL in g. wide walk around
the west end Of the track so elevated
and inclined upwards from the fence
that thousands Of people can stand
and view the races. On big days the
accommodations are wholly made
YU su, avb. 800. .oplF fth. MAO ka
to enjoy the track events.
And there are thousands OF people
to be compelled to leave first class
homes and perfect environment te
condure filthy public comfort arrange
ments at the fair and be fed upon an1
old chuck that may be offered for sale
In response to public protest from al
over the state the food supplied on thu
state fair grounds is now under stric
supervision by the Des Moines boart
of health and sanitary public closets
and lavatories have been provided. Tn
people Of Marshall county are en-
titled to the same enlightened treat
ment and it is up TO the county fai
board this var to see that they get II