Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 200, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 September 1918 — KEENE TO ATTEMPT TO COMPLETE STREET IMPROVEMENT [ARTICLE]

KEENE TO ATTEMPT TO COMPLETE STREET IMPROVEMENT

A. S. Keene, who has the contract for improving some streets in this city, Will attempt to secure help and will complete the improvements if possible. He has leased a crusher and has secured stone and is advertising for an engine and help with which to prepare the stone and get same on the streets. The Rowles road, which runs north and south in the rear of St. Joseph’s college, is also to ,be constructed by Mr. Keene. He expects to begin work in ten days. These war times have made it very difficult to complete contracts as help and materials are both difficult and expensive to secure. ‘ When in Washington last May the writer heard the United States senate discuss the proposition of assisting by larger financial consideration contractors who had; taken their contracts before the war began. It was stated on the floor of the senate that if this was not done a great many contractors would be ruined, and besides they would not be able to complete their contracts. Many men who have road and ditch contracts are finding it almost impossible to complete these contracts, and many who do complete them will be financially ruined. There is a question whether the war has not brought on conditions which might excuse some of these contractors. Justice and fairness should at least be considered in matters of this kind.