Cresco plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1913-1945, 1914-02-06
What We Heard.

what We Heard.
In response to the general invitation
printed in the city papers we attended
the r. r. boosters meeting held in the
Armory. Unfortunately we did not
arrive until about 7:40. and the speeches
had already begun. The first speaker
to whom we listened was, we believe.
the Secretary Of the Charles City Com
mercial Club.
The other out Of town speakers with
the exception Of Mr.. Hart. will be
passed over without comment % they
gave US no enlightenment on the sub
ject Of this railroad. ", u.
Mr.. Hart however made us propo-
sition in four parts. In the failure to
comply with any one Of which will kill
all Railroad possibilities here.
Here is his proposition 8:
l. A certain amount Of stock must
be sold in his hou county. This does
not directly concern Us 20 We may pass
it without comment.
2. About $l25. 900 worth Of prefer
red stock bearing s per cent. interest
must be purchased by the People Of
Howard County, or those who are
interested in this Rail Road. The
value of this stock will aside from the
Company's business, depend entirely
upon the management Of the company,
and we must rem ember that as with
the proverbial cat or coon, there is more
than one way to skin an undesirable
stakeholder, be his stock common or
preferred. ,sB
8. We must assist in procuring for
them the right Of way across the
county. And in regard to this one Of
the Cresco bankers did more than init
mate that in all probabilities it would
be donated by the farmers. On the
other hand the American Encyclopedia
admits that often such rights Of way
are worth rs much a. $50, coo per mile.
The farmers along this line know that
in many cases the road will spoil their
best fields both as to shape and natural
drainage. It will greatly endanger the.
lives Of their cattle and children and in
convenience them in going from one
part of the farm to the other. In q
word it will turn many highly valuable
farms into undesirable properties. and
we know that the farmers will think Of
this before selling. to say nothing Of
donating right Of way.
4. They want per cent. tax on
all the real property within distance
of miles Of the right Of way. This
tax is to be computed in the usual
way. The tax lists are in the court
house and anyone interested may figure
out exactly what this tax will amount
TO. a conservative estimate would be
not less than $225, 900.
Four very modest demands. But
what did Mr.. Hart promise to do with.
or give 10 in return for this money?
He gave Us no specifications, said Moth
ing about the cost.of rails. ties, ballast
ing, grading road-bed, power plants.
etc. He did not say in what the rolling
stock would consist, nor did be promise
the farmers any specific facilities for
handling cattle or grain, in addition to-
those he now possesses. Neither did he
commit himself definitely by any posi-
tive statement on the question of pas.
senger service. In fact, when asked
for statistics covering these points. a
member Of the Cresco Commercial
Club found it necessary to remind him
that he was not prepared just now to
answer any such questions. But still
he knew just exactly how much money
he wanted from Us and took the liberty
to repudiate all previous promises and
pledges which had been made to the
Cresco Commercial Club and tax pay.
ers of this vicinity.
Now if the tax ptyers are G Ding to
build and pay for this road they should
keep it for themselves. and by the
proper means see that it is run for their
benefit and accommodation. If they pay
for one-half or less Of it they should
own and control their share and see
that they get stock instead of water
for their money. We sincerely hope
that theirs 10 no one among US who
would be . foolish as to build nice
little Rail Road and make present Of
it to few individuals who try to byp-
.notize US with smooth talk and brass
bands.
OF late we have read some quasi
learned discussions on the booster and
the knocker and the work and effect of
each. It's putting it mildly to say
that we agree with them sometimes
but not always When q booster boosts
for injustice, graft and robbery he
still may be booster, but isn't there
another name that would fit him better ?
On the other hand when q knocker
- 80.