The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1913-06-08
KEokuK HAS BURST ITS SHELL.

Keokuk as q municipality burst its
and stepped forth into a new and
larger life, with wider vision and In
creased activity, progressiveness and
prosperity. 1t is doubtful If many OF
those present at the meeting in the
Y. M. G. A. auditorium had previous
ly contemplated such action, but
when the situation was stated by
Mayor Elder it was seen at once by
practically an in attendance that it
was an imperative necessity If Keo-
kuk Is to come into its own following
the development OF the water power.
The facts in the case are briefly
these:
In the past Keokuk has made 1t a
virtue to spend no more for public Inn
provements than could be realized
from current taxation. The revenues
OF the city In recent years have
amounted to about $4,000. Of which
all but about $4,000 is consumed by
fixed charges. With the growth of
the city the need for more money for
sewers, streets, alleys, sidewalks, etc..
has greatly increased, but the amount
available at the present time is Tut
little If any more than it was twenty
years ago. AS long as the city was
at a standstill in population and was
making only small gains in business
1t was believed to be the part OF wis
dom to keep expenditures within the
limits of the revenues. There was no
/ warrant for discounting the future.
That was wise policy then, but con-
ditions have now radically changed.
Keokuk stands on the Threshold of
great industrial development if It will
only make the most OF the opportuni-
ties that are crowding themselves up
on it's attention. New OCCASIONS teach
new duties. Extension of the main
sewers and construction of new ones
Is urgently demanded in the interest
Of the health OF the community, and
needed additional water and gas
mains and street railway trackage
await grading of certain streets. I'm
Hess these sewers are built and
streets graded the community will sui
fer in health and efficiency and make
no progress toward the goal OF its de
, sire There is strong sentiment also Ii
: favor of the erection of city hail
To make these improvements will re
quire money-more money than cal
be realized from taxes year by year
1t was therefore proposed at the meet
J ling in question to issue either certifi
Gates or bonds. and this proposition
met the cordial endorsement OF al
, present who expressed themselves OF
the subject with but a single exception
There was but one proviso attache
s to the declarations in favor OF tIi
. policy, and that was that the cit
!. should make it It's business to Sc
i. that it got dollars worth Of improve
ments for every dollar expended
The prevailing sentiment seemed t
/ favor a bond issue rather than the l:
y sue Of certificates, and opinion wa
quite pronounced that whatever in
' provements were made should be c
/ a permanent character as being NOR
;. economical in the long run. 1t is nc
r contemplated that large bond issu
Il be put on the market at once, b,
J. that issuance of bonds shall be autho
# lied and then bonds issued as tn
proceeds can be used to advantage
!, making the needed improvements.
d was made quite plain at the meetir
1t that Stone & Webster desire to c
:. operate with the community and
Is all In their power for It's advanc
IS ment. They have large interes
: here and are willing to make ado
z tional investments If permitted to {
r SO. One prerequisite Is that the CT
!, shall be made healthful and attra
m tive and streets graded for new sire