Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-02-11

ton Of public officers has reported ia
vorably to Cummins' bill increasing
the salaries of district judges. h
bill provided for an increase to $4,000
but the committee amended the same
to read $500.
The Merger Bill.
Yesterday 1 asked one thoroughly
cognizant of the facts for a brief state
ment of the aims and objects of the
so-called merger bill" of which one
hears so much that is not understand
able. ITO begin with" said my in
formant, you must understand the
position of the Northern Pacific and
the Great Northern railroads. These
two great lines parallel each other
through the several states for their en-
tire length. Both start from st. Paul
and end at the Pacific coast. The laws
of the states they traverse prohibit
these two roads from consolidating or
buying up the stock of each other with
the intention of joining their compel
ing interests. Now consider the Iowa
end Of the affair. The c., B. & @. rail
road company, a corporation organized
in Illinois, has reorganized, or rather
formed a new company under the laws
of Iowa under the same name except
that the new form is railway instead
of railroad" This new corporation
has stock, most of which is yet I'M
issued, to the extent of $100, 100000.
Now the c., B. & @. is not a parallel
line with those already mentioned, but
rather a connecting line. This unis-
sued stock is in the hands of Hill and
others interested in the proposed mer-
ger of Northwestern interests. Should
the present bill pass it would be pos
sible for the promoters of this new
company to use this stock to purchase
coveted interests and accomplish that
which has so far proven futile. But
as to its effect, speaking only as a citi-
zen of the state and a taxpayer |
should be in favor of the bill. The
state will be benefited if the c., B. &
@. stretches out as an Iowa line and
then other corporations and great in
t%erests, finding the laws favorable,
may be indicted to incorporate here"
Orphans Home.
The senate house committee on the
orphans home has reported out the
bill of Hamann of Scott making appro-
priation of the home at Davenport. 1t
now goes before the appropriations
committee.
Consider Automobile Bill.
A subcommittee has been appoint
ed to consider the bill introduced by
Buchanan of Wapello, relating to the
use of streets and highways by auto
mobiles or motor vehicles.
The Bill.
With the deep interest being mani
tested in this city relative to the Sc
curing of an automobile factory, the
bill recently introduced by Represent
alive Buchanan of this city relative to
these vehicles is of considerable in
%terest. The proposed legislation pre-
vides that the automobiles shall be
given the same right to the public
streets as anw other vehicle. 1t regu-
lates the speed at which they may be
driven, it also provides that each per-
son owning such an automobile or mo-
tor vehicle shall be registered with tie
secretary of state. 1t provides a pen
atty in case any of its provisions are
not fully carried out.
, Mr.. Buchanan's bill was introduced
during the first part of the present ses-
sion of the legislature, and VAS imme-
diately referred to the committee on
roads and highways. He believes that
. favorable action will be reported on it
and he believes that it will become q
law at this session. Following is the
bill in full:
Be 1t Enacted by the General Assem-.
bly, of the State of Iowa:
Section 1. Any person driving or
in charge of an automobile or motor
: vehicle On any street, avenue, high
way or driveway in this state, shall
/ have the right to drive the same at
any speed not greater than eight miles
per hour in cities and incorporated vii
lagos, and not greater than tifteer
miles per hour on any highway, anc
shall have proper regard to the traffic
and use of the highway so as not tt
endanger the life or limb of any per
son.
Sec. 2. Every automobile Or motor
vehicle shall be provided with gooc
and efficient brakes, and shall be pro
vided with a suitable bell, or other sig
nal. Every automobile or similar mo
tor vehicle shall be SO constructed a:
r to exhibit during the period from ont
hour after sunset to II hour before
+: sunrise, two lamps showing Whit
t. lights visible within a reasonable dis
lance in the direction toward which
the automobile is proceeding, ant
shall also exhibit a red light visible
in the reversed direction. The lamp
shall be so placed as to be free from
obstruction to light from other part
of said automobile or motor vehicle.
Sec. 8. Every person driving an au
n tomobile or motor vehicle shall at re
it quest or signal by putting up the hand
d from a person driving or riding a rest
It i've horse or horses, or driving domes
e tic animals, cause the automobile t
d Immediately stop and remain station
cry, SO long as may be necessary t
allow said horses CT domestic animal
j, to pass. This provision snail apply t
= automobiles going either in the sam
- or in opposite directions.
Sec. A. Every owner of an automc
bile o. motor vehicle shall, within thil
n ty days after the passage of this ac'
file in the office of the secretary G
~ state a statement of his name and az