Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-01-19
CIVIC SLACKERS.
TTama Herald1

One Of the handicaps to community
development Is the number of people
who refuse to take any positive posi-
ton on anything for fear Of making
any enemies. There are instances Of
where else. These are people who
on being asked to take stand in be-
half Of good or civic betterment, will
not do so for fear 1t may offend some
one. A business or professional man
may fear lest he displease his en-
ployer.
How frequently YOU hear man say,
Yes, yes. agree with you perfectly.
1t is all wrong to let things go that
way. But man In my line, you know,
can't come out strong on such ques-
lions or he would lose business"
Few persons ever lose a dollar by a
self respecting advocacy Of things they
believe in. The people admire a fear
less man who expresses his opinion
good naturally and with some con-
hdence They hang around to hear what
such a man will say. II his business
is one dependent on local favor. he
really gains by his outspoken course,
provided that he Is decent and gentle
manly In expressing his ideas.
1t is just as much duty to stand
up for all good local causes and all
forms OF civic betterment. as to sup
port the government in the war. There
are hundred issues that come up in
the course'of a year on which all good
citizens should express themselves
freely, from mend!ng a road and the
removal Of eyesores, to the checking OF
inefficient methods In local govern
ment. In so far as we lie down and let
people put things over on us. We shall
make but slow advance as a commun-
minds, we shall make steady progress
and no one will lose by It.
ANOTHER JOHNNIE GREEN STORY.
WEBSTER City Freeman Journal
Old Johnnie Green with a band Of
his followers used to make frequent
visits thru this region Of Iowa forty
years ago. When the writer was a
boy and knew every foot OF Boone
river for six or eight miles north and
south Of Webster City 1t was not ur-
usual for Johnnie and his band to come
this way. They would trap along the
river and stay several weeks at q time.
They would beg corn meal, meat. pota-
toes, etc. from people here in town
and favor them with muekratS and
fish, creating a dish for the gods. in
the opinion Of Johannes Pottawat
tAmies.
The tents were usually pitched in
q sheltered spot near the stream.
About forty years ago one was located
lust above Kennedys rifle and the
remained there all winter
staying until the warm, balmy days OF
spring. This recalls an incident which
illustrates that boys have changed
F. Richardson was teacher in one OF
the rooms OF the public school and this
was job to try the patience OF the
best OF men, as among his pupils were
the most obstreperous youngsters OF
the town. One bright day in April the
teacher told the boys how ne used to go
to the river in his boyhood days in
the sprlngtime and commune with ma
ture. He said Il was the best tonic
FOR dropping spirits and that langu!d
feeling known as spring fever. 1t was
noticed that during the recital Of his
story the school boys became restless,
the approach OF the disease
that rern!red a few hours off When
The good teacher finished his tale school
was dismissed for the usual fifteen
minutes recess. and 1t wasn't moro
than ten minutes until every boy IN