The Springdale news., 1919-03-14
Springdale, Ark. Friday, March II. 1919
WILL WE GO OVER THE TOP"
 ONCE AGAIN?

Inc meeting 0f the city council tues day night Of last week, report of which was printed in last issue of this paper, was an unusual one in several respects The idea of opening the session with pray CT was novelty to most of those present and that they were witnessing their first event of the kind was plainly evident in the looks of surprise when Mayor Ewalt called on Dr. Phillips for word of pray CT. But come to think of it, why should not this be done? Prayer is always in order if 1t comes from sincere heart, and is, we believe, just as effective when voiced in the council chamber, or any where else for that matter, as when utter ed from the rostrum of the church. It IS not necessary to go to the church in order to pray, although some people ap- pafently entertain such a mistaken no- ton. There are some who might say they don't know of a bunch of men who needed prayer worse than the members of the city council, or the visitors in at tendance, but, pleasantries aside, The News wants to commend Mayor Ewalt for the innovation and to utter hearty Amen. to the prayer of Dr. Phillips
 Another noticeable feature of the meeting was the apparent unanimity with which the business men and citizens present approved of the proposition to in- stall municipal water, sewer and light plants. This Is not surprising, however. when We stop to consider the proposition. and what 1t means to this community. Slfted down to bedrock 1t resolves itself into the question of whether We want to install these modern conyenenceS and ne- eessities in order that the town may grow and expand, or shall we turn our backs upon them and deprive ourselves of their benefits and be content to trudge along in the same old way? To the man of vision there can be only one answer to this question. We have arrived at that period in the growth 0f the town when sef-preservation demands these things. t ls not question of can We afford to tax ourselves for these enterprises, but can We afford not to do it?
 While the petitions presented to the eIJy council asking for improvement dis tflcts for installation of water. sewer and light plants required the signatures of only ten owners of real property, there were about thirty Signers, among the number being some of the heaviest prop erty owners in the town. These men will bear the larger share of the burden. In asking that the small property owner be taxed they have asked that they them selves be taxed. only proportionately greater. The members of the city coun- cil who voted to pass the necessary ordi- nances voted upon themselves the same tax they voted upon the private citizen. When this tax Is prorated over the town It will be found infinitely small in com parison with the resultant benefits.
 The recent war work activities have demonstrated what the people of this community can do when they are united as one cohesive body, all striving for the same end. Springdale demonstrated it's loyalty and it's ability on every occasion called upon. Why can We not stand to- gether in the same manner in this su preme effort in behalf of our town? If We do We will go lover the top" for water works as we have always done for measures in behalf of our country.
 Tho +b,if+ laax~oI L..