Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-02-06
LOCAL COMMENT

With one Of our temporary expatri-
ates to California Sleeping with a hot
brick at his feet, another observing the
destructive storms that sweep the coast
and the cities contiguous to the
coasts, with Iowa small boys complain
ing Of climate and wishing they were
home to enjoy the winter. with close
observers admitting the beauty of the
roses that bloom in January but Itch
ing for Iowa because this country
seems unproductive," seems like they.
instead of us folks at home should
worry" The supposition that Califor-
MIA is a refuge for elderly people who
fear cold weather seems to be mainly
supposition when 4 man goes directly
from an Iowa January where he has
been keeping warm o nights in bed
and surrounds himself with hot bricks
in order to sleep comfortably In Pasa-
dena. Happiness and comfort are
largely comparative and taken all
round Marshalltown in the winter time
gains friends and acceptance by COM
parison with the sufferings of our
friends in California.
The streets in our town have been
the worst of the pedestrians winter
troubles during January. Good stlr
cold weather with snow that creaks un-
der the shoe soles is good weather here.
The January thaw with its underfoot
slush is the disagreeable part of the
winter in Iowa We have had no de-
structive storms like that described as
having destroyed property and tied up
schools and business in California. The
cold weather hasn't bothered us-we
hi ND
altogether we seem TO have been get
ting along more comfortably than most
OF those who went seeking summer on
the west coast.
And speaking of slush there seem no
obvious good reasons why street cross
ings should be overshoo deep or dis
agreeably impossible in the business
district. With fifty men asking for
jobs the crossings should be cleaned
early and kept passable turnout the
day.
Out In the residence districts and in
the most outlying of these, delay is
inevitable. But at that there seem no
good and obvious reason why walks
should lie weeks uncIeaned because the
tenant fails to accept his public duty
and along vacant lots that are being
held by spectators. Something surely
is due the taxpayer who has gone out
to the edges TO do his part in build
ing UP the town" He ought to have a
chance for his white alley as against
the man who owns a half dozen lots
and simply sits waiting for other peo-
pie to add value to them. He is the
one who appears 20 have earned en-
couragement For he is paying taxes
on improved property.
The Congregational employment bu-
reau is doing a good and necessary
work and should have the assistance of
the public generally It Is getting time
to have screens painted. the cellars
cleaned and other small jobs taken
care of. Push these a little ahead and
call on the bureau for the men to do
the work. It has them. half dozen for
every job. The Office i~ open between
Z and o'clock p. m. Send in requests
as early as possible. Remember that
-four is up to s2.35 a sack and that it
Will be n month at least before work
opens and men can get steady employ
ment.
The Buy It Now" slogan Is a good
thing to push along. The movement
has gained considerable impetus In
many cities and has had its effect upon
trade and business conditions. While
Marshalltown Is not like most other
cities of her class complaining bitterly
Of mo trade" and hard shedding" the
buy now" suggestion holds just as good
here as elswhere, If you have a pur-
chase that you are putting off buy 1T
now. Prices are not likely to be lower
On the contrary the outlook is for
higher prices. IF you have a building
contract TO let. let IT now. The building
trades are full Of promise. Men are
likely to be in demand and labor scarce
again this summe.. IT viii pay every
one yourself included If you begin early
Buy 1t now.