The Leon reporter., 1901-03-07
NOTES FROM THE CAPITAL
Des Moines, March s. 1901.

(
report from DIR. F. NJ, Powell. SUD-
erintendent of the institution for fee
ble-minded children at Glenwood. to
the effect the danger from smallpox
there was past. Recently case of
smallpox appeared there. the patient
being one of the fremen at the insti-
tuition. 1t was feared for a, time an
epidemic might result among the in
mates of the school, but DR.. Powell
writes the time has gone, by for the
disease to appear from contagion
spread prior to the quarantining of
the sick fireman. The board of con
troll has been relieved of considerable
anxiety concerning the spread of the
disease by DIR. Powell's report.
The Nebraska state penitentiary au-
thorities have asked Iowa to take
care OF some of their prisoners. Since
the lire which destroyed the Nebras-
ka penal institution a few days ago
the prisoners have been under heavy
guard in the prison yard, but this is
regarded as exceedingly hazardous
and the authorities are asking neigh
boring states to help them out of the
difficulty until permanent quarters
can again be provided.
President Polk of the street rail-
way company has employed j. Carss
and a corps of engineers to survey
several routes for the proposed inter
urban line from this city to Indianola.
III an interview Mr.. Polk stated that
he was sanguine a route not more
than seventeen miles in length, as
against the twenty-one miles by rail
road, would be found and practi-
cal grade for the operation of line
run by electricity discovered. He pre-
dicted that interurban electric lines
would within the next five years place
Des Moines in close touch and easy
connection with Winterset, Indianola,
Prairie City, Newton, Creston, Knox
vile, Ames, Boone, Adel and other
points comprehended in a radius of
fifty miles of the capital city.
The "social evil" and kindred sins
I'm Des Moines will be fought at their
own door. Evangelist Rev. William
Bremner of Friends church and j. Z.
Harden of the First NJ. Z. church
have undertaken the great task of re-
forming Whitechapel. From the Iowa
Loan and Trust company they have
rented the principal building at 333
on the east side of "Pelton" avenue.
They are now negotiating with a
Christian family, which will constant
~ occupy the second floor of the
building. The two evangelists will
not sleep in the building, but will con-
duct services in the large room on the
first floor day and night. They ask
no money or other aid from the pub
ISl-- 81 0roIy -
tian people, ana they feel God will do
the rest. They have been engaged in
slum work for months and have con-
sccrated themselves to the life they
are now undertaking.
An attempt is being made to pro-
vide more Office room at the state
house by moving the carpenter shop
and engineers room from the.capitol
basement to the power houss lei oss
the street. This will give one large
additional room, and there isitalk Of
disposing of the contents of some of
the store rooms and converting them
into Offices. The growth of some of
the departments will make it imper-
ative that more Office room be pro-
yided. How to do this is problem
of considerable magnitude, as there is
no place in which the documents now
occupying so large part OF the base
ment can be stored. When the car
penter. shop has been installed there
the power house will be completely
filled.
The secretary of the state board of
health has learned of statement
made recently by DR.. G. j. Ross of
Sioux City at the meeting of the
Sioux City Medical society to the eff
feet that there was not case of
smallpox in the state and that what
is pronounced smallpox in Sioux City,
at least, is the Cuban measles or
some underlined disease brought from
Cuba by the soldiers. DIR. Ross in the
course Of his talk said that if the
disease now so prevalent in the state
were actually smallpox there would
he some deaths resulting from it, or
at any rate there would be at least
Dne virulent case. In reply to this
the secretary of the state board of
health takes occasion to tender DR..
Ross some information. A number
of deaths resulting from smallpox
have been reported to the board since
January and this does not actually
present the number that have occur
red because of the failure of many
physicians to report them. AS to
virulent cases there have been large
number in many parts of the state.
1t was stated by DR.. Ross, according
to the report received, that he had
examined the nine cases of alleged
smallpox in Sioux City and found
none Of them to be real smallpox.
He makes the somewhat unique sug-
gestion that if the disease actually
is smallpox it would be the part of
wisdom to turn all its victims loose
in order that the entire state may
get it while it is reigning in so mild
a form. Circulars are now being sent
out from the board of health head
quarters in which strong criticism
Of physicians is made because of fail
ure to recognize smallpox in its early
stages and so prevent the spread of
the disease.
PORTS HAVE BEEN OPEN.
Secretary of the Treasury Answers the
House Inquiries.
Washington, March 1.-Secretary
Gage Yesterday submitted TO tbe