The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1920-01-03
"a viii Not Ask My Friends to Sup.
port Me for denomination
and Election" He
Says.
HAS SERVED TWO TERMS
He Was keokul<'s War Mayor and
Took Prominent Part in Activi-
ties Connected With SOL
dier Work.

Mayor Ed S. Lotion will not be a
candidate for mayor at the coming
spring election. To a Gate City re-
porter who asked him today If he In
tended being a candidate at the
tspring election he said that he was
not going to try for third term.
With the close of his administration
in April this year, Mayor Lotion
leaves the city hall with a good
record for his two terms as chief
Executive of Keokuk. AS the war
mayor of the city he has successfully
carried through affairs. and has been
lactiye in everything that Keokuk did
during the war period.
Il will not ask my friends for re-
nomination and election" the mayor
said in answering the question, .'Will
you be candidate for mayor this
spring?"
Il have served for four years and
have given the best possible service
to the city that | could. l feel that
Il have given the office every atten-
/ tion, and l have tried to live up to
the ideals or my friends who have
supported me. have had splendid
support from the council members in
the office next April with the feel
ing that / have done my best"
No inquiries were made as to the
assured fact that with his experience
in public life, his years as clerk OF
the courts and his newspaper expert
ence, together with his record of four
years as chief executive of the city,
7 IN
of a position.
More Paving Done.
In his four years as mayor, the
city put in more paving than was
done for years. Main street extern
sion, from Fourteenth street ON out
was accomplished, something that
property owners and business men
had been asking for years. The new
keokuk and Hamilton bridge was
completed in the first Lotion admin
istration. The mayors administra-
ton has been faced with the prob
lens Of higher cost of materials, of
increases in salary for officials from
the city clerk on through the police
and fire departments. to be provided
for out OF funds which were not
increased. The general
fund which four years ago was al
most depleted. has been built up, and
even with the loss of the muIct tax
revenue, it is said by-those who claim
to know, that the administration mas
been able to carry on good pro-
gram of improvements and city bet
AS the war mayor since that day |
In April when Uncle Sam put down |
the pen and picked up gun, to that |
day In November year and half |
later, Mayor Lotion has held siren
uous place in the city's history. With !
the assistance of a citizens commit
lee, headed by c. S. Abel, and OF the |
exemption board, it was possible to |
escort every contingent Of soldiers
which left Keokuk, whether it was
one or hundred. And so far as prac-
ieable the committee met them when
hey came back and babe them vel
,ome. There was cooperation neces-
'ary between the city and all of the
var work committees and bodies of |,
he city and the mayor and his asso-
'iates were back OF every movement |,
II this kind.
During the last administration the /,
has reduced the arc light
rice contract, giving Keokuk street /,
light service at very much reduced |,
ate. The mayor as president of the !.
'oard of health, had the flu epidemic 1,
asst fall and early winter to take
are of. This was one of the most D
ifficult situations to handle that has !,
ome up. Through the mayors efforts t.
he vaccination method was adopted.
nd some 1,500 people were vacci-
ated. The mayor gave this epidemic
is personal attention.
The mayor is appreciative Of the /,
cooperation given him in every way
y the council members and by indi
idual citizens. Is