The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-12-12
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/ The NV. SEWERS COMPANY, MeLeansbero, III.
b d
Wilkinson q Co., Scott & Q Reilly ana
Engelhardt & Co.
by saying that the same merchants
who were paying the fares to people
who came in from other towns had
also spent considerable money in oil
ing roads which was directly for the
farmers benefit They would pay
same fare to those coming by auto as
by train. The merchants were always
looking out for ways to benefit the
farmers and make their visits here
pleasant.
Dave Lnquist explained the method
OF refunding fares. He said they al
ways tried to make people coming
here feel at home Looking backward
twenty-five years it is easy to see the
improvements that keokuk has made
in many directions-in the way of
sewers, paving, etc. We should look
at the bright side, and it would help
some to chloroform some of the croak-
ers and the newspaper, too. He said
he was born here, had always lived
here and expected to die here. He
could see more of the good side OF the
city than the bad.
Several others made brief remarks
along these lines.
Chrishn as Decorations.
The matter of Christmas decora-
tons was discussed, but 1t was con-
sidered too late for the. league to take
the matter up. The proposition Tor
all the members of the league to keep
open evenings for the whole week pre-
ceding Christmas was voted down, and
every merchant will follow his own
pleasure in this matter.
The matter Of the comfort station
was then brought up, and DR.. G.
Walter Barr, chairman of the COM
mission, appointed by the mayor to
look up this feature, made a report OF
the findings of the committee, which
follows:
MIR. M. e. Justice, President.
Dear Sir:
The comfort station commission OF
the city Of keokuk resolved to trans
NIT the following information to your
organization:
The commission has, made thor
ough investigation Of conditions exist
ing which has developed the following
facts:
There is no possibility of the city
obtaining any money for the estab-
lishment and conduct of comfort sta
ton. by taxes or credit, for about one
year from this date. and no actual
money from taxes until April, 1918.
The Young Women.s Christian asso-
citation has been maintaining a rest
room in its building for some time
which has entirely adequate facilities
for women; it has been patronized to
the extent OF from twenty-five to fifty
women per week during the past sum-
mer and fall the number varying, but
perhaps about thirty per week as
normal. That more use has not been
made Of its excellent rest rooms ana
facilities is due to the fact that neither
the Y. w. c. A. nor the merchants
have told on .-of-town people OF its ex-
istence, and many merchants seem 10
he ignorant of what is being done
there.
with fine loyalty to the interests
oe au Keokuk. the Y. w. C. A. man.
.eement has offered to contract with
thJs commission and the city Of Keo-
kuk to furnish even better facilities
for rest and comfort for out-of-town
visitors free, relying on the former
and unusual subscriptions to the
M aintainance of the Y. w. c. A. to
meet it's expenses.
The dilemma confronting this COM
m,ssion and the merchants OF the
citv is this: Will the merchants, or
vour organization, furnish money or
credit ,lpon which money may be OBJ
tanned from banks to establish and
conduct for year the comfort sta
tion. or shall the offer of the Y. w.
r be accepted? In the latter
case we recommend that large pub
licity be given the existence and
location of the comfort station by
siens in every store and in the
streets.
This commission would like to re-
ceiye a formal, definite expression OF
oninion from thn Commercial club
upon the above matter.
Yours very respEeGally.
G.. WALTER BARR,
Chairman Comfort Station Commits
general discussion followed, and
all considered that the best thipc to
do for the near future is to accept
tho offer of the Y. W. c. a, ant At
tho same time to stand back of this
restitution in the way Of advertising
tho rest rooms and If necessary, add
tn the facilities. DR.. Barr said that
tho commission would not stop at
This. but would recommend tax levy
for the comfort station. and later
when this became available the city
might establish station on Main
street.
On motion the report of the com
mission was adopted as the best plan
to follow.