Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1914-01-14
GOVERNOR CLARKE RIDDLES
CAPITOL EXTENSION ATTACK
Shows Needs Of Improvement That Four Previous Governors Advocated
It, and That Law Was Not Ralroaded Thru Legislature.

Sl0eraOly moro imam outlined IN d
tentative bill submitted to committees
at the request of many members. I
believe 1 have never heard 1t objected
to by any one who has given the mat
ter any real consideration at all that
as much as one block surrounding the
capitol and extending south to the rail-
road tracks should be taken in. When
this conceded amount is added the
large portion OF the expense is in
Cured. The balance, block for block,
or lot for lot. Is not on the average
nearly so expensive. and is such as
would very greatly mar the appearance
Of the grounds and lies where more
could be added to their beauty by in
Guiding them than in almost any other
portion Of the territory. This l have
no doubt strongly influenced the legis-
lature in determining the boundary
agreed upon. They felt that to in
clude such territory alone as all con-
ceded to be within fair and almost
necessary bounds would still leave the
work imperfect and unfinished in the
minds OF many Of the present and GER
tainly meet the condemnation Of the
coming years.
Bought at Moderate Prices.
Everybody acquainted with values
says that the property is being bought
at very moderate prices. At a million
dollars the cost to the individual tax
payer is very moderate indeed. If 1t
We're to be paid by the land area of the
state it would cost less than 3 cents
per acre. or $3.50 per quarter section
and several years in which to pay. The
average taxable value of Iowa lands is
$3.50 per acre or per 100 acres
$2,672 The tax, then at a half mill
per 100 acres is only s154 per year.
This is the average. Some will pay 4
little more, some a little less. Five
dozen eggs will pay the annual capt.
tol extension tax on the average value
of $50 acres of land and hundred
pound pig will pay 1t all. An assess
ment of TEN times as much for side
walk in front of ones lot is thought
OF little consequence. In the last
twelve years sl1 .eOo,741.s have gone to
our three education institutions or.
on an average within sS,271.50 Of a
million dollars per year. The estimate
of cost given is on the basis that a
million will be paid in, money. But this
will be reduced by many thousands Of
consisting Of more than six acres Of
ground, which the bill authorizes. 1t is
equivalent to making an exchange Of
lands.
First Cost Ends II.
Much extravagant talk has been in
dulged in about additional cost after
the property is bought. 1t is my judg-
ment, based on careful estimates made
by very competent men that the first
cost will be all and the only cost that
the taxpayers will ever be called upon
to pay The property VIII take care
of itself-put itself in fine condition.
If it is bought for 100000 experts as
to rental values say it will bring re-
turn of per cent or $4,000 annually
to the state. That which has been
bought more than bears out the state
ment. Some of it is now paying the
state s per cent on the investment and
! the state will have no. taxes to pay. II
| the old and poorest parts are taken
| down and cleaned UP first and only
thirty-five thousand or forty thousand
realized annually from rentals it is
! thought, after adding salvage from
buildings sold, which would be con-
siderable, the property will take cara
/, itself as it goes along and pay all ex-
pense Of putting it into fine and even
beautiful condition. The better build.
ings can be retained for number
Of years not only for expense paying
purposes, but for occupancy by some
state officials and departments I have