Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-10-16
LOCAL COMMENT

The time has arrived for the best
citizens in state Center to assert them
selves PuSsy-footing Is never con-
sistent with patriotism or with good
citizenship in an hour Of need. The
town night watch in State Center
should have a square deal and strong
men who believe in law enforcement
should see to it that their town officer
does not have to suffer for trying to
do his duty. He may have made a
mistake. AS to this careful review
of the facts will determine but, also,
he may be the object of concerted at
tack by an element that needs 10 ne
suppressed in order to have safe
and clean town. We bury the mistakes
of our doctors with excuses on the
ground that they did the best they
knew and that doctors are necessity
when we are sick. We pay for the
mistakes of our lawyers without COM
plant because we can't get along with
out lawyers when our troubles bring
us into court So il should be with
officers employed TO enforce the law.
Our safety demands the protection OF
policemen and the public whom he
tries to protect should stand by him
until he has been proved to be mali
cious in his arrests. 1t is no pleasant
task to be about at night at war with
the lawless members of society and
the spineless officer is as dangerous TO
society as the cowardly sentry to the
army he is protecting. 1t is the duty
of all good citizens TO stand by their
officer and give him the benefit OF
all doubts until he is proved malicious,
Mistakes if any are made, should be
treated lightly on the theory that an
officer who arrests the wrong man
occasionally is far safer for the public
welfare than the one who winkS at
law violation and turns his back when
needed.
Drs. Chesire Merrill Johnson, Evans
and Devine have volunteered their
opinion that the present heating plant
in the Rodgers school building should
be condemned as unhealthful These
doctors and probably all the others
agree that fresh air supply Is needed
in several other school buildings about
town. Let the school board come to
the people in next springs election with
an outline Of what is needed and II
" iii be voted.
A coroner from Chicago whose office
has passed upon over $4,000 accidental
deaths IL ;hat c!ty told the people OF
Marshalltown this week that nearly all
of the people who are run down by
automobiles and street cars are those
who attempt 10 cross a street at some
point other than the corners. Darling
out from behind one vehicle in front
Of another IS what causes nearly all
street accidents. Go To the street
corner to cross and he safe.
\ public comfort station would serve
the needs primarily of those from out
side the city who are visiting the city
for business or pleasure. The family
from the farm away from home for the
day would use il where the family with
its own home in town would never
know that such place as public
comfort station exists. Let the voice
Of the outside public reach the super
visors. Incidentally no court house has
oeen planned within the past ten years
that did not provide public lavatories
within its building.
JOY riding reached its usual destina
ton IN the accident TO a party Of six
Marshalltown people this week. The
men got off mira culously with only a
few bruises but one young woman lies
in a hospital seriously injured. She
pays the bill for the whole affair. The
car turned over when going al an ex
cessive speed. Evidences spilled about
were convincing that the party of six
had been reckless enough to invite dis
aster. II came il usually does.
The Second Iowa cavalry-what are
left of it's 10 meet in reunion here
Oct 20-2l and the Marshalltown Club
has pledged itself TO do ali in its power
10 make this gathering one Of the most
noted regiments of the civil war sue
cessful and satisfactory 10 the sur
vivors This was great regiment Of
which il was said that it never charged