Omaha daily bee., 1902-02-04
FOR IOWA RAILROAD TAX
Committee Appointed to Devise Means for
Making Reads Bear Their Share.
TO ERECT BUllOlNs FOR STATE ARSENAL
Bill is Introduced Appropriations
Funds for Structure On Ground
Owned by the state in
Des MOines.
(rrom a stan correspondent.l

legislative work this afternoon by the
senate ways and means committee in the
appointment OF a subcommittee, consist
ing Of Senators Junkin, Healey, Lewis and
Porter. to make thorough investigation OF
the question Of railroad assessments and
taxation and report a bill thereon.
Senator Healey presented the matter to
the committee and suggested, in view Of
the recommendations of Governor Cum
Minis and Of Lieutenant Governor Herriott,
that seine definite action is expected Of the
legislature. 1t is desired that some better
method be employed for making the assess
ment, so that the railroads shall pay their
share Of taxation, and several reforms have
been suggested. The subcommittee is COM
posed Of members who are favorable to
the legislature touching the subject. This
Is the first step which has been taken.
The senate went on record this morning
as f~avoring a business session by the adop-
tion Of a rule that 1T shall meet at 10
o'clock every day except Sunday and ad-
journ at noon. The afternoons will thus
be devoted to committee work. A rule
was also adopted that the bills introduced
must be in duplicate, so that the printer
can have one copy Immediately; also a rule
providing for calendars Of both houses
to be laid on the desks of all members
when printed.
To Repeal Tax on Foreign Insurance.
A bill was introduced by Senator Hay
ward of Davenport to repeal the discrim-
mating tax on foreign insurance companies
doing business in Iowa. This was backed
up by a petition from the business men OF
Davenport, reciting that since the big fire
Of last year 1t has been found to be almost
| lua0aasiAla 20 eooura ipauranra M the huqt-
ness houses in the manufacturing district,
and large numbers of the companies have
withdrawn entirely from the city and state.
A bill by Arthoud repeats all laws for yot-
ing tax aid to railroads. A number Of pc
titions were presented,
The session in the house was equally un,
interesting. A few comparatively unimpor-
tant bills were introduced. Mr.. Wilson
OF Washington introduced a bill to appro.
pirate SIS, 900 for the building of a state
arsenal. 1t is proposed that this arsenal
shall be built on ground owned by the
state in Des Moines. Mr.. Cassel Of Jeffer-
son introduced a bill to provide rewards
for the killing OF English sparrows and
punishment for the killing of the native
birds.
Indorses Hoar Bill on Strikes.
Mr.. Larrabee introduced a resolution in
dorsing the Hoar bill in congress to pre-
vent Injunction processes in strikes, and
on motion 1t was referred to the committee
on federal relations.
A resolution was introduced providing
for a COMMITTEES to prepare a memorial in
regard to the late E.. N. Reynolds Of APP
panoose county.
A bill legalizing a tax levy in Jefferson
county was passed. A resolution was intro
duced by Warren declaring that the appro-
~priation for the st. Louis exposition shall
not exceed 500, 900 was laid over. A bill
relating to mining was adopted, which re-
quires the inspection Of every mine at least
twice each year.
Ballet Case is Dismissed.
The case of the United States, against
Letson Ballet for fraudulent use Of the
mails In connection with a mining scheme
at Baker City, Ore, has been dismissed
In the United States court and the bono
released. 1t is believed this will end the
cases against Ballet. At the last tern
Of court Ballet was placed on trial and the
trial was about half over when one Of the
jurors was killed by escaping gas in his
room and the case had TO be continued
AS many of the witnesses were broughI
from Oregon and California the case wa.
very expensive, and for this reason ha,
been dismissed.
Once AbIe Lawyer Dies I'm Poverty
M. F. Folsom died at the county poo
farm tonight, where he had lived severa
years. At one time he was q leading mem
Der OF the bar Of the county, was a grad
uate of Harvard university In the 5Os AM
had been a lawyer Of great ability. Man,
years ago he was elected justice Of tn,
peace in Des Moines, but on account O
drink he had gone to poverty and rags.
Williams Granted Parole.
George Williams Of Dubuque, who wa
serving a short sentence in the Anamosi
penitentiary for breaking and entering
building, was granted a parole by Governo
Cummins. The petition was signed by boil
district judges and by the county attorney
on representation from the warden tina
Williams is about to die.
SALARY of Deputy sheFins.
Tomorrow the house committee on Judi
ciary will consider the bill by Mr.. Boysel
Of Audubon to fix the salaries of deput.
sheriffs. This measure is the one whicl
was prepared by the sheriffs In their an
nual meeting here som time ago. l
guarantees TO deputy sherlffs a salary o
from $500 TO $1,000 a year. and leaves tn
fees to the sherins. Under the presen
laws II so happens in many counties tina
the sherins do not receive suficient sal
aries. The bill will provide for the salarie
in a manner satisfactory to the sherifs.
Date for Excursion to Ames.
The date for the excursion Of the low
legislature to Ames to visit the Iowa Stat
college has been virtually hxed for Feb
ruary 20 next. President Beardshear OF tn
college has completed all arrangements an
the invitation will be extended for tina
time. The school is not In session nov
but will be in a few days and will be read
for the inspection.
Asks for Change In LiauOr avs.
b. e. Fllekinger, secretary Of the Anti
4 saloon league Of Pocahontas county, an
D moderator OF the Presbyterian synod {
Z Iowa, has addressed a letter to the men
Z bers Of the Iowa legislature. asking the
: support for the proposed limit on liqus
consent petitions. In this letter the les
~islature is asked to support an amend
. ment to the mulet law. which will eaui
: all petitions Of consent to expire at n
end Of Eve years. those that are now
force at the end OF ave years from Eel
ruary 1. 1908. and those hereafter hle
from the date Of their approval by n
Board Of County Supervisors. The lett'
sets forth q number Of arguments in fave