Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1920-01-31
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I; LOCAL COMMENT

, ASSxAA. S1NAAsA1|AN
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Tho complaint of tho census emu
merator over the poor numbering OF
houses In this city. Is Justihable. The
mes-Republican. some time ago.
called the attention OF the city council
to the Importance Of having houses
numbered correctly. The longer the
revision Of numbering Is delayed. just
that more complicated will the situae
ton become. The improper number
Ing OF houses. according to rotation OF
dwellings, rather than by lots, Is the
offense that causes the trouble
Persons who have built new houses on
lots vacant when the other houses In
the block wero given numbers, now
find that they must number on tho
half, or quarter, in order to squeeze In.
On one street In tho Second ward the
census enumerator found two houses,
one next door to the other, both
numbered the same. One is new
house, entitled to the number, but the
one next to II, built some time ago
took the number next In succession
from the house that stood next to the
south Now that the new house Is
in the lot between the numbering
becomes complicated, and more than
likely the complication exists thruout
the rest of the block. When the town
was small enough so that every one
knew where everybody else lived. 1t
made but little difference about num-
bers, but the situation Is different now
and if numbers Of houses have any
value whatever, they should be correct.
The only correct way Is to number by
lots, not by dwellings.
The influenza epidemic. predicted TO
be recurrent this year, has at last
appeared, not only in this city, but
thruout the state and country. Health
authorities generally have issued the
customary warnings in advance Of the
epidemic, and these T simple rules
should be observed in all communities.
There is no need of becoming paniclty
over the situation, for there Is every
indication that the disease will not
be Of the virulent type that it was last
season. The best rules to observe are
TO remain from crowds as much as
possible. get plenty of rest and be
careful of diet; especially do not
overeat. BY obtaining needed rest
ones vitality IS kept up to a point
where disease may be resisted. In the
event one feels badly. it Is we'll to
suspect the Influenza whether such
proves the case or not. \ few days
will tell the story, and II 1t does prove
to be influenza one will have taken the
preCaution In time. Do not be afraid
to consult your doctor, and be guided
by his directions. A few days in bed,
under treatment. may mean preventa-
ton of pneumonia and a serious III
ness. The experiences Of last season.
when pneuminia came to those who
tried TO wear out the flu" should
prove valuable during the present
period of the epidemic.
That n number Of serious accidents,
entailing as consequences personal in
jury and damage cases against the
city and property owners. have not
resulted on account of the condition
of sidewalks, may be attributed to
luck or providence as the attributor
sees fit. In some cases the state of
the walks may be entirely blamed up
on weather conditions but in many in
stances utter carelessness and in
difference to the safety Of others
should and probably would render the
property owner liable for accident and
damage. There are walks in every
part of the city which have never
known a shovel since the first snow
fall. many of them before vacant lots
HI
doors of lazy, indifferent and care
less householders.
There is good money for the city in
cleaning those walks az the expense
of the property owner. He must pay
and pay well for it If the authorities
SEQ fit to do it. OF course the city
would have to wait a year for its
money, but the percentage between
cost and the final payment would
gladden. the heart OF a Shylock. A man
and horse would clean miles of walk
in a day. and the vacant property
owner should thus be forced to a pub
lie duty, while the property owner
Of rented or self occupied property
would soon see the light. Just why
the Spectator IN vacant lotS snoulo
be privileged to force women to wade
thru snow and slush to save himself
labor or the price of labor is not en-
tirely clear.
A long walk awaits teachers from
the street car terminal to the Arson
school. The teachers say that the
walks have not been cleared, and that
they have wadod snow and negotiated
rough ice all winter. Surely the
tea cheers should find so much consid-.
Grafton from the authorities, If not
from the property owner who Is will
ing to dodge a public duty in order
! to save the cost of shoveling his