Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 264, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 November 1914 — WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU WERE EDIT OR [ARTICLE]

WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU WERE EDIT OR

Republican Put This Question to a Number of Citizens and Gets Various Replies. The editor of The Republican asked a number of people Thursday afternoon wha£ they would advocate if they were editor of a newspaper that would be of the greatest good for Rensselaer. Almost every person has some suggestion along this line. Practically every thinking man hopes that Rensselaer will grow and with its growth will become a better, more healthful, more beautiful city. If this is their hope they usually are able to make a suggestion leading to the desired ■ end. The Republican will appreciate communications along this line. Let the women, the men or even the school boys or girls make suggestions that are calculated to be of benefit to the town. The first person asked the question by the editor was James H. S. Ellis, former mayor. He replied: “Sit steady in the boat and don’t do anything that will increase taxes. We will soon have our street lighting system for Washington street, which was recently paved, and we are going to be quite up-to-date in our new city clothes. Taxes are high and we should not push things too fast.- There is lots that each individual can do to improve the city. Le.t the program of advancement be one of individual boosting. You might suggest that the Metropolitan Stock Co., Which plays at the Ellis Theatre every Friday night, is a fine organization And deserving of support. That’s a bit selfish, perhaps, but I really believe they are worthy of patronage.” Earl Duvall: “Form a businessmen’s organization arid go after more trade for Rensselaer. I saw a plan recently that has been worked in North Dakota, I believe it Was Minot. The merchants employ one man who maintains an office and whose duty it is to devise plans for boosting business and also for ascertaining who were worthy of credit. If some man wanted credit the matter was put up to the agent for all the merchants. He found out from the places men had come from. Many schemes epn be worked to bring business to a town. The organization of the businessmen seems to me to be of first importance and I would advocate it if I was running a newspaper.” „ J. A. McFarland: T believe I would suggest that we all quit talking politics for a while. Let the successful ones be generous with the losers and the dosers try to think that 1t Is going to turn out right, after all. Let’s get down to business and every one boost for the good of the town. It will help. If I was an editor I probably would have something more definite in mind, but you have taken me so suddenly with the question that I really do not have a better suggestion to make right now.” William Traub: “Let the busi nessmen get their noses together and stop knifing each other. By all means we should have organization among our businessmen. We could secure lots of good things and permanently help Rensselaer. This town is situated to grow. I saw it and located here. It will draw larger trade if the merchants will join forces to invite the business to come here.” George Collins: “Whatever operates for the upbuilding of the business of the merchants of the city is a boon for the entire town and surrounding country. The organization of the businessmen is of paramount importance. The town is ready right now for such an organization and it can accomplish a great deal toward extending the territory of our trade; by inducing people from greater distances to come here to trade. An organization of this kind can get behind propositions of any sort and push them through. I believe a newspaper, can do much for the city good by advocating the organization of the businessmen." Fred Phillips: "I believe the greatest ‘need of Rensselaer at this time is a building and loan association. Fifty new homes will be built in Rensselaer next year if the money can be secured. The banks can not supply the demand, individual money loaners will not do it and many worthy men with enough money to buy a lot or who already own a lot would like to 'erect a houses Started now, a building and loan association could supply a large number of borrowers next year. The newspaper can get the people ready for this organization. It is the crying

need of a Greater Rensselaer.” Miss Elizabeth Spaulding: “I believe that Rensselaer with an eye to the future needs a park, a large one that will answer for the needs of picnics, carnivals, celebrations, etc. I think I should advocate securing the ground now arid then develop it as opportunity affords. You have taken me so by surprise that I do not think of anything right at this moment that seems to desirable for our future happl-. ness as a nice park.” E. D. Rhoades: “A building and loan association is the most important thing for a newspaper to advocate. There are many fairly well-to-do men in Rensselaer today who got their start through the building and loan association organized many years ago. It was the thing that put me into the hardware business. I had been a clerk for many years and while receiving the top salary paid for clerks in this city it was only a meager living. By making many sacrifices we carried ten shares in the building and loan association and paid $lO a month on them. .When the association paid out I had about $1,900 and with this I bought the business I have since owned. Had it not been for the building and loan association I doubtless would never have saved the money. It is thus kood for the investor as well as the borrower. This association should be started this fall, so that borrowers eould be accommodated next year.” W. L. Frye: “I would advocate *the purchase by the city of an oil sprinkler for use in the future oiling of our streets. There Is no reason why we should pay a profit to some one from over at Brook. The oil is a good thing but it costs too much. Get out own sprinkler and we can put the oil on when and whertf> we please at a greater reduced expense.” Within the next few days The Republican hopes to be able to present the views of others about this subject which should be very near and important to us all. You may expect if you have not already been interviewed to have the question propounded to you when the reporter sees you- If th* question is not asked and you have a suggestion don’t fail to mention it. Little as well as big Jhings are desirable to discuss. We want views from persons in all walks of life. The laboring man or woman as well as the mechanic and business and professional people are asked to bear in mind the question: “If you were editing a newspaper what would you advocate for the greatest welfare of the eommunityt” Continuations'are asked from any who care to make suggestions. The discussion should result in a great amount of good to Rensselaer and that is just the objeet we have.