Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1900-10-12
lumber Of Good Bills Failed on
Account Of Lack Of
Time

To the President and Members Of the |
League OF Iowa Municipalities: Your
on city government and leg-.l
[slation begs to submit the following res
port:
Committee members have been active
and Jealous in attending to the duties
to them ut the last conven-
ton Of the league. Members were in
at several meetings Of the
committee during the last session Of the
giving their time and ener-I
gies to the work freely and defraying
their own expenses.
Three meetings Of the committee were
held while the legislature was in ses-
sion, for the purpose OF urging upon the
members Of tine house and senate the
merits OF the proposed amendments and
additions to our statutes endorsed by
the league.
Fifteen different bills were favorably
recommended by the vote OF the league
to the legislature for consideration. OF
the different bills proposed only four
were enacted into law, towit:
(D-Repeal OF section 1906 OF the
code. limiting the amount OF revenue
that could be raised.
s {2)-Amendment Of section 742 OF the
code. permitting the loan Of water
works funds at 3 per cent interest.
t3)-Amendment OF section al Of the
code, permitting temporary sidewalks
to be built OF brick Or stone.
& ()-Amendment Of chapters Z, 8 and
II. Of title S Of the code, to make the
special assessment laws conform to the
rule laid down In the case Of Norwood
VS.. Baker.
Much difficulty was experienced in
gaining the earnest and candid atten-
ton OF the members of the legislature
to the measures recommended. Difficult
!ty was experienced with several Of the
bills in getting them introduced, and
after they had been introduced menu
bers seemed lOath to take up or serious
" examine such proposed bills as No.
II. to regulate street railways. and No.
13. to compel railways and street rail.
ways to construct crossings. No oppo-
sition was madeEto either OF these bills.
but, on the contrary, members were free
to express the opinion that they should
be made the law. and yet every one
seemed inclined to allow some other
fellow the privilege Of doing this.
No. 10, giving cities under the general
statute power to compel railways and
street railways to construct crossings
and drains. is already part OF the law
applicable to special charter cities. In
deed. the law applicable to special
charter cities is much broader and
grants much larger powers to the fa-,
vored cities than is provided for ky the
general statute.
Your committee would therefore rec
ommend that the bills endorsed by the
league at its former convention which
failed OF favorable consideration at the
hands of the last legislature be again
presented at the next legislative session
and urged for passage, and thar the
matter be taken up by correspondence
with individual members Of the legisla-
! ture and an examination of these meas
ures at the hands Of the members Sc
cured in advance Of the next session.
| Also that these measures be brought
before the commission which was ap-
pointed by the Twenty eighth general
assembly to revise the municipal code.
lIf favorable action can be secured at
1.-The hands Of the commission, much will
have been accomplished towards hav-
ling these measures enacted into law.
1 From this recommendation the comit-
Itee would make possibly one exception,
to-wit: to No. 2. the bill for an. act to
iauthorize cities OF the first class to levy
a tax for creation and maintenance Of
a fire department Sentiment against
this bill was so strong. and the objec-
tions made SO well taken, that we doubt
the wisdom Of again recommending II
to the legislature for passage.
Your committee would further recon-
4 mend that an attempt be made to en-
i large the general statute relating to
cities and towns so as to include therein
a the beneficial legislation and enlarged
powers already possessed by special
charter cities under the and, SO
far az possible, powers that would be
1 OF general benefit now conferred upon
special charter cities alone, be eUtended
10 all cities and towns.
In conclusion, your committee desire
to acknowledge the valuable services
rendered by Senator Hazleton of Coun-
Gil Bluffs for faithful! and vigorous
work in the legislature in looking after
I measures recommended by the League
OF Iowa Municipalities. and also the
valuable services OF Senator Trewin. q
4 Lansing and Hobart. OF Sioux City.
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