Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-03-03
LOCAL COMMENT

who are to be the candidates before the
city primary election on March H.
There will be full week to study the
situation and make up ones mind as
to who Of the number are best fitted
to administer the affairs of the city
during the next two years. Personal
likes and dislkes should be cast aside
to great extent when it comes to
making u selection. A man may be
the best kind of Il good fellow" clean
personally, and all that, yet If he lacks
business qualifications and is not the
man one would choose to help manage
a 100000 corporation in which you
own stock. he is not the man to choose
for the trust. Clean personality, of
course. Is to be desired always. in any
line Of business. 1t is valuable asset
for a candidate for Office. But with it
should be ability, and the selections to
be made for the mayor and council
should be made on ability best to serve
the people and the corporation in which
each taxpayer and resident OF this city
owns stock. The business records of
each candidate before the people are
pretty well known; they should speak
for u great deal when it comes to u
choice.
With the interest that will be taken
in the city primary election on the 18th
voters should not lose sight of the fact
that the annual school election is to be
held the same day. The management
of school affairs is equally as import
ant as that of the municipal corpora
ton. yet it is seldom that as much in
terest in the election develops. There
are three directors to elect this year,
and the customary levy OF $4,000 for
school purposes will be asked.
&
The movement on foot to build for
Marshalltown coliseum is laudable
one, and yet a more gigantic undertake
ing than most people may imagine
from the meager details made public.
AS yet no estimate has been made as
to the possible cost. Marshalltown has
needed for many years convention
hall suitable for the accommodation of
large public gatherings. It Is good adj
vertising for the city to entertain sue
cessfuily state gatherings. 1t Is also
good business. But before a place is
provided for the holding of big con-
ventons,, there must be furnished
sufficient accommodations for the
delegates to these conventions. These
Marshalltown does not possess. a
convention of a thousand boys last
winter could not be accommodated as
it should have been even by throwing
open all the homes available in the
city. SO in making preparations for a
convention hall, the fact should not be
overlooked that there must be places
for the delegates. They may meet ir
coliseum, but they can not eat and
sleep there.
With potatoes still beyond the reach
Of most people. altho threatening to
fall in price because people are not
using them, there is still consolation
that rice is cheap, and takes the place
of potatoes. Announcement of the CO..
operation OF the retail grocers in any
movement to reduce the price Of the
tubers locally should have a good eff
feet. Potatoes are not the only high
priced staples which yield smaller
profit to the retailer when the price is
high, and while the CO. operation of the
grocers may not be considered purely
philanthropic movement, their action
Will cause many people to understand
that 1t is not the retailer who is get
ting rich off Of potatoes at 1915
bushel. ~
1t has been announced by the Farm
Improvement Association Of Marshall
County that an agent for this county
Is assured. The farmers who have
subscribed to the enterprise will never
regret their action if the proper man
is secured to look after the farm in
terests. Now that a decision has been
made to employ an agent, the next i'm
portant step is to get the right kind Of
an agent. It must be kept in mind
that the man who costs the least is not
always the cheapest. A competent
agent will cost money, the same as
competent man for the head of any
other business. 1t is to be hoped that
the local association will secure the.
best there is to be had, and that re-
suits will be far more beneficial than
even the most enthusiastic have hoped
for.