Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1903-07-10
SIMPLEST HEALTH LAWS k0T OBSERVED
Movement started for More Accurate
Reports OF Vital Stntistics-ImpOr.
tnnt bankruptcy Decision-Insanc
Persons ON the Increase OsI.cr
Notes and Commcnta.
fspec,a, corre.ooncenee.l


Eli Grimes and DR.. !,
Charles Henry Hoffman. of Des Moines.
was on Marshalltown. 1t was found I
there, according to their report, that
the drinking water in the high school
building located in the. attic was kept
open and that ventilation pipes from
the water closets in the Easements
opened into this attic. Bacillus of ty-
phoid was found in the tank. About
1877 school children there had typhoid
and there were about 500 cases in the
city altogether in three or four months.
The water supply of the city was found
subject to contamination and the ex-
perts charge gross carelessness in the
observance Of the simplest health laws
Vital stntistics.
Secretary Kennedy, of the state board
of health, has set on foot movement
to secure more accurate and fuller re-
ports of vital statistics. The assessors
of the state are supposed to turn in re-
ports of this kind, and since they go
vital statistics in Iowa is very meager
and incomplete. The state board will
ask the legislature to pass laws which
will aid in preserving this most impor-
tant data. A few days ago widow in
one OF the country towns of Iowa wrote
to the state board for certificate as
to the birth of child. being a matter
Of considerable Importance in connec-
tiqn with pension claim, but the board
was unable to do anything for her for
the reason that there was no official re-
port of the BIRTH. It is believed that
the physicians of the state should be
required to furnish this information.
bankruptcy Decision.
Judge A. H. Mcyey, of the district
court Of Polk county, has decided a
case Of state wide Importance. It is to
the effect that bankruptcy proceedings
do not stop the collection of judg-
ment for the support on an illegitimate
child. s. G. Wilson secured discharge
in bankruptcy in the federal court. He
claimed that this relieved him OF the
liability under q 81 900 judgment on ac-
count Of the cause named, rendered in
the state courts. Judge Mcvey decided
that 1t was not sufficient defense and
an effort will be made to collect the
judgment. OF course the question will
go to the supreme court.
Insanity increasing.
There are now 8. $40 insane persons at
the Iowa state hospitals. This is an
increase in the past year OF about 295.
The increase interests the state board
of control very much. for 1t indicates
that the legislature will have to be
asked for appropriations, within the
next two or four years. for the extern
sion Of the insane hospitals Of the
state. There are four Of them situated
in the four corners Of the state, and Il
Is unlikely that new hospital ever will
be built. Two of the present institu-
lions have been constructed on what il
known as the cottage plan, SO that they
may be extended indefinitely. and the
other two are being remodeled ON the
same line. The capacity of the hospi-
tails does not exceed 1000 each without
crowding. The Incarceration there Of
inebriates helps to crowd the institute
lions.
County Clerks.
c. M. Soper, of Nevada, has been
made president of the state association
of county clerks of Iowa. The organ
ization was formed for the better dis
charge of the duties of the office and for
the adoption of uniform methods. The
question of marriage license issuing was
discussed at the last meeting. Much
difficulty was experienced by the clerks
in issuing discriminating licenses to
persons from other counties. The diff
Guilty lies in determining the status Of
the parties who seek the license. A
law along this line will be asked OF the
legislature, providing for the better
and more rigid examination into the
status of persons applying in one coun-
ty for license to marry when resident
of another.
Portraits Of Governors.
An Iowa artist has been co1nmis-
stoned to paint portraits Of Governors
Sherman and Newbold, Curator Charles
Aldrich, of the state historical depart
ment. has been instrumental In inducing
this commission to be given in order
to complete the very fine collection Of
state portraits which have been COLI
lected out OF the state house and else
where, and which are now In the his-
torical art gallery where. in all proba-
bility, they will be allowed to remain.
When the pictures were gathered from
the walls OF the state house and taken
to the historical art gallery for an ex-
hibit all OF those In the building except
the ones discarded and in the attic were
carried across the street into the white
marble building. When the exhibit was
over all of the state officers consented
that the pictures from their various of
fees should remain in the more appro-
pirate place. except the supreme judges,
who insisted on the return OF the pic.
lures Of the jurists who have served on
the supreme bench to- the walls OF the
supreme court chamber In the capitol.
Many Divorce Cases. !,
More than 800 divorce cases are pend.
Ing in the district court of Polk county
at this time. An effort is being made
by the Judges to clear the docket OF a
large number Of them. In many Of
them the parties have become recon-
ciled and have forgotten that they ever
began the suits, In others parties have
died or moved away and the cases have
bean allowed to DRAG alohe Tor years 10