Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1919-07-15

themselvs TO their credit ~ . pro-
xrsssiye, businsssliee BODY Of voters.
The city vote was overwhelmingly tor
the road improvement. Yet the city
man who voted for must pay for every
foot Of pavement before his homo
without any assistance from any quar-
ter. His auto tax goes directly to the
primary roads. He knows that his
road taxes will be spent to make
better road between the farm and the
city and he was not only willing but
anxious TO see that done. Hundreds OF
workingmen who pay auto license fees
gladly voted to turn their fees and
their taxes toward q better and safer
communication between town and
country. It may be that some of them
foresaw country pleasure drives Of
Sunday or in the evening; but the
road that workin gman or another
can drive pleasantly over 70 the coun-
try is the same road that the country
man hauls his produce over to market
and on which his wife and family may
travel. A good road is a good road.
It's advantage is mutual. The ques-
ton of paying for 1t is also mutual.
The city voter was voting his own
money and his own taxes toward pay
ing for country project but one
mutually advantageous to both city
and country. 1t was case of country
and city meeting at the boundary
lines and shaking hands in common
purpose.
Now that the county has spoken so
definitely the plain common sense OF
the thing is to accept 1t and get the
best and the most we can by mutual
effort. We are going to take the fed
eral and state aid. Let's make IL
count for Marshall county. Some or
us will have to wait little longer
than others under the present PROPOSE
ton which takes advantage OF the
auto license fees only. However, there
is a wide way open whenever we get
impatient.
The chances are that the road move
mept will advance with cumulative
progress. Comparing the sentiment
of five years ago with that voiced in
yesterdays vote We can see how
rapidly opinion changes under COM
pleter information and business-like
consideration. 1t is to be predicted
that many of those now opposed to
the road improvement will be its
earnest advocates within a short time
The roads themselves will be an op-
iect lesson to every man who uses
them. Opinions do change rapldlS.
Opposition, sincere and honest enough
in its convictions, changes to advocacy
when the case is proved. To Illus
trate we might return to the bitter
argument that took place over the dis
nissal of the public drinking place,
the predictions Of disaster, the Nheat
and anger developed on both Sides al
that made I'D that controversy. A few
months brought new CONVICTION.
Men who in all sincerity defended the
saloon as a business proposition pc
came as thoroughly convinced that its
abolition was the best thing business
ever did for itself. And that Is the
history Of most controversies over a
progressive proposition. Mail routes
telephones, all innovation has had that
experience. And it has ended mostly
in a reversal of opinion and a change
Of front on the part Of the opposition
1t is safe to predict a rapid falling
away Of the opposition to better roads.
to acceptance Of federal and state aid
and to expect a general agreement up
on sensible, businesslike, plans OF
highway improvement that look for
ward years instead of days. 1t is
written that Iowa is to rise from the
mud.
Let's accept the decision Of the
! voters Of the county. They are the
final arbiters Of all public questions.
Let's accept their command and get
busy. All together. :.
| A baby kangaroo is but little larger
! than mans thumb.