Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 208, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 September 1911 — PETITION FOR SUBSIDY FILED FROM NEWTON. [ARTICLE]

PETITION FOR SUBSIDY FILED FROM NEWTON.

Progressive Farmers Want to Take No Chances of Losing the Purtelle Traction Line. Bove Makeever and O. C, Halstead circulated a petition in Newton township for an interurban railroad subsidy election and secured sufficient signatures to warrant the commissioners in calling one. While some people Hn that township have , not had much faith in Purtelle personally, they believe that the chain of subsidies that will exist if Newton township acts favorably, will be very attractive in interesting capital in the road. The favorable action in Marion township, the later successful vote in favor of subsidy in Vackson and Lincoln townships in Newton county, the free right-of-way through the big Lawler ranch, the favorable franchises along the proposed route, are almost certain to eventually result in the building of the road. We believe that all land owners in Newton township should help to boost the subsidy election and should get off their coats and help to carry it through. The subsidy is not for Purtelle, but for the road, and can not be collected, not a cent of it, until the road is completed and trains are running over it When that time comes land values in Newton township will take a big advance and taxpayers will be glad to pay the subsidy tax. If the votes carries and the road is not built, then Newton'township is out nothing except the cost of the election and this Purtelle agrees to give bond to pay if the road is not constructed.

While the writer distrusts Purtelle for reasons hitherto stated, we admire his tenacity and believe that every little aid given the road now will go a long ways toward its ultimate construction. The route it is to travel is a feasable one, good business awaits some road that will go through the territory and discouragement might result in defeating construction. If Purtelle is able to build the grade through the Lawler land and he can do it if he works along as he is now working and if Newton, Jordan and Carpenter townships will join in favorable subsidy ' action with Marion, 'Jackson and Lincoln, there will be enough money in sight to appeal to capital beyond much doubt. Let Newton go into the boosting business and probably the other townships will follow. Let the slogan be: “Give Purtelle another qhance.”