Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1914-09-03
ROAD DRAGGING,


Wallaces Farmer believes hat the
automobile has already done much to
improve the roads of Iowa. and that
1t will continue to awaken public opin-
ion to the advantage of better high
ways, and 1t is true, but 1t does seem
that human natures referendum has
not done much to increase the use OF
the road drag in this county. The writer
was over twenty miles OF Buena Vista
county highway on Monday. and but
one half mile had been dragged
Storm Lake Pilot Tribune.
The fact is, and it might as well be
recognized. the average county board.
and board Of township trustees has
never taken road dragging as any thing
but fad to be talked about.
There has never been consistent
dragging OF roads in township N
Iowa.
Altho the road drag was introduced
many years ago. and demonstrations
made Of Its utility. it has been used
only at odd hours, and at odd times. on
any but very few roads. and even on
the best dragged roads not systemat-
ically.
Even here in Des Moines on the roads
to the fair ground the drags were not
put on Immediately after the rain, and
when they were put on the city had to
sprinkle to get the right consistency of
mud.
We shall never have dragged roa ds
in Iowa until road dragging is made the
business Of men who are hired to drag
roads.
The township trustees and the county
boards will never for long at a time
drag the roads consistently.
A GOVERNMENT OWNED MARINE.
Huntington Hawkeye.l
There are people OF large experience
and mature judgment in business af-
fairs who are not disposed to look with
approval upon the government of the
United States adding another TO its
long list Of commercial undertakings
that naturally would fall to private en-
terprise. 1t Is difficult to justify the
government in a venture SO purely
private as the ownership of merchant
vessels. Its chief justification just
now is created by the worldly war,
which Is most seriously affecting every
business interest in this country. II
there were 10 hope of relief. thru
private initiative. the move would have
wider tolerance than il is likely to have
with the sober second thought.
There Is another justifcation-the
necessity that this country shall pro-
vide itself with a merchant marine
which in case of war may be instant
~ brought into the service of the navy
for the national defense. II rs claimed
for the pending act. appropr!atng
twenty five million dollars to buy
merchant ships, that as commercial
emergency measure and as a war
measure it is a prudent step for our
government to take. This might be
conceded If there were no other re-
course: but the indications point to the
belief that foreign built ships will rap
idly come under American registration
and that this we'll supply the carrying
trade and the commercial necessities OF
the country with all the transportation
facilities needed.
Prudence, however. requires that we
should give heed TO the many objec-
tions that are made to such paterna
policy. No one knows whether the
war will be lengthy or brief. 1t rs
easier to buy than to sell second hand
ships II the war Is soon over what
will the government, do II, as is now
claimed ii VIII then go out OF the
transportation business on the sea?
The ships will have to be sold at
loss. The prospects OF profit are
small. The danger OF international
enlargement Is great. The govern
ment will have to pay much higher
wages for seamen and all employed in
the sea-carrying trade. 1t will have
to compete with the private enter
prise OF other countries which pay less
wages
The International Merchant Marine
Company. Is an instance of COM
pany that has never paid dividend
on its common or preferred stock.
Government operations OF commercial
enterprises are usually more costly
than under private management. The
wisdom Of the proposed legislation may
we'll be challenged.