Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1919-12-15

and Inaccessible to shipping without
prohibitive expense. There has been
great deal OF transformation. 10
speak gently disseminated about the
value Of tho states clay plant her'a.
The simple truth about the matter Is
that II could not be operated by paid
labor because the expense would be
prohibitive In comparison with the
quality OF blocks that can be produced
Knoxville does not want the clay plant
and would not operate It as free gift
from the state.
Knoxville never wanted the inebriato
hospital. II was wished onto us when
we were not loking. !; has been a
detriment TO the town for many year
but not comparable to The disaster OF
having such an institution as two
members OF the board IL control are
trying to foist upon It now. The
buildings are located in immediate
juxtaposition with the residence Sec
ton OF the town~and the only street
leading to the city cemetery passes
thru the land and within 90 yards OF
the buildings. The presence Of sucn
an Institution where its inmates will
come In contact with the daily life OF
our people is a menace TO motherhood,
child life, and society in general which
would evoke the instant protest OF the
editor OF The Times- Republican were
IL planted In his front yard. as II Is
proposed to plant 1t In ours. The state
has no right to impose such menace
upon Knoxville or any other city. Such
institutions must be located away from
the centers OF population. MARSHALL
town would be ust as vigorously op-
posed to the LOCATION of the institution
In close proximity to its residence Sec
ton as is Knoxville. No fair-mtndeo
man would advocate the proposition II
he knew the facts.
Knoxville is just as anxious as Mar
shalltown or the board Of control that
the state shall avoid financial loss 10
! the enterprise. and for that reason has
urged that the property be devoted TO
educational uses. for which 1T is, rea-
sonably well adapted. The grounds
and location would be ideal for a nor
mai school or trades school and the
! buildings can he adapted to such use
at small expense. The lands have mui-
itluNed in value many times s!nec
/ Sor ght by the state. Sixty acres or the
| most valuable land where the bui!cingS
are located was donated TO the state
! bv the citizens Of Knoxville. II !s
worth easily $50 1000 without the build
! irgs. The state can convert the pres
! emit institution into anornal school
without any appropriation, selling IT'S
surplus farm land for more than
enough to revamp the buildings ana
sustain the school for year or more.
/ Why not do it and thereby realize q
! need that the state board Of educa-
ton has repeatedly declared to be a
pressing one!
Seriously. Mr.. Editor do you not
! think Knoxville is entitled to lair
treatment? Her opposition is not q
mere community within. Far from II.
It Is based upon the settled conviction
that the proposed institution would
constitute a serious menace to the
community. The citizens OF this town
are entitled to protection against any
act of the state which would endan-
/ GER the prosperity and the moral well
| fare of the city. They will fight the
/ proposed movement to the last ditch
and they will win. There are enough
ifa,r.minded men In the legislature TO
| defeat the board OF controls plan, Just
a. they did at the last session.
| Yours truly.
NJ. L. CURTIS,
-, Editor Knoxville Journal