Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1902-01-16
NOTES FROM THE CAPITAL


Des Moines. Jan. 10, 1909.
The insurance adjusters have com
pleted their settlement of the losses
on the National Starch Manufactur-
ing Co. plant. The figures were not
made public. but ii is said that they
are very close to the amount claimed
by the company as the total damage
by fire two months ago. That the
starch works will be rebuilt, seems to
be the opinion of those who have can
vassed the situation. as Des Moines
Is the center OF the largest coal dis
trict in the west. with more railroads
than any other city, with the best
supply of water for the making OF
starch In the country. and is the great
est corn growing state in the union.
1t Is though that with the settlement
by the insurance companies the starch
company executive board will speedi
ly decide to rebuild. 1t is also known
that the enterprise will be given
hearty support by the Commercial Ex-
change and the city council.
II Is said the slack water canal
scheme will be allowed to rest for a
time. Owing to the opposition of the
railroads that do business In Iowa the
scheme to make the Des Moines river
a slack water canal has not been push
ed as rapidly as first intended,
though the projectors have not lost
hope. 1t is said that the railroads
were preparing to send strong lob
by to Washington to fight any bill
that proposed making the river into
water way for the transportation of
freight. The Commercial Exchange
through committees had endorsed the )
scheme, but It is understood that out
side parties have advised letting the
subject drop for a few months ut
least.
Superintendent Barrett has Just sent
out a circular to the county superin-
tendents In which he considered q
number of important educational mat
tiers. He asks the cooperation of the
county superintendent in the work Of
the department superintendent. He
notes the fact that his recent biennial
report shows decrease In school at
tendance and urges that this falling
on and the remedies Therefore be con-
sidered. The library work is COM
mended. County tuperintendents are
asked to promote this work SO far as
is in their power. Advice is given on
examinations, and, it is said, lists Of
the examination questions for Feb
ruary, March, April. July. August,
September and October will be sent
to superintendent for the purpose OF
harmonizing the conduct of exarnina-
tons throughout the state. Visitations
OF schools is urged and many other
matters are touched upon.
A decisions rendered in Judge
Holmes court is of much interest to
tax collectors and tax payers. 1t Is
in regard to the constitutionality of
chapter so. of the acts of the Twenty
eigth General Assembly, relative to the
manner of collecting taxes on property
not previously listed or assessed, as.
for instance. where through oversight
no record had been made OF a certain
property, by reason of such oversight,
taxes had not been collected upon the
property. Under the decision, the as
SCISSOR may, upon finding that such an
error has been made, go back as far
as five years and levy such assess
ment as Is equitable for each year Of
that time.
Attorney General Mullan has re-
ceived letter from F. e. Rittman.
auditor for. the war department in tlH6z
federal treasury department, in<KInch-
4 H- WA STATED thai the n KS stir
the state Of Iowa for interest on its
war bonds and war warrants would be
disposed Of by the court of claims. n
has been expected by Mr.. Mullan for
some time that these claims would NOT
be settled In the treasury department.
directly. but that they would be refer.
red to the court of claims for adjudica-
ton. More especially has this been
the case since the appointment of
Governor Shaw as secretary of the
treasury, as 1t was anticipated that
the governor would not deem II best
to permit the department of which he
is to be the head to pass on claims
from his own state. 1t seems. how
ever, the course to be followed In In
dicated plainly In the statutes and
That the law supposes that these claims
shall be adjusted by the court Of
claims.
The Continental Biscuit company.
whose officers decided several weeks
ago to establish a mammoth factory
In Des Moines from which to handle
its Iowa trade. has closed a deal with
+. M. Hubbell, Son G. Co. for q site
and will commence work of construc.
ton at once. r.
The city of Des Moines, sccSkd1ne TO
the present plans OF the local commit.
Tee on arrangements, will be strewn
with natural corp badges when the
state G. A. r. encampment is held
here May Fl, % and 20, the dates hxed
IN yesterday. II is the intention to
grow badges Of the different army
,orps OF the rebellion with foliage
plants set out in the parks, ON the
liver front. in the yards of private
homes and wherever opportunity of,
ers.
The statement of the conditions OF
he state and eavings banks of Iowa at
lie close OF business December 10. has
'een fsseud from the office of Auditor
u State Merriman. 1t shows a steady
Increase In the business transacted by
ne banks. The statement preceding
ne last one issued showed the condi-
Ion at the close of business September
0 OF last year. At that time there
'ere 495 state and savings banks In
owa. At the close of business De-
ember 10 there were sol banks trans
cting business, 2S1 savings banks and
~ state banks. The amount of money
n deposit In the state and savings
anks September 80. 1901. was $780,
66,645.42. At the close Of business
december 10 the amount on deposit