Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1903-10-27
CHANGES IN LAWS
LEAGUE OF IOWA MUNICIPAL.
TIES ASKS FOR SPECIAL
LEGISLATION.
New Authority Asked for Cities and
Towns in Regard to Public Improve
ments and for Taxation Levies -
Several Resolutions Adopted.

The enactment of many laws by the
state legislature are called for in a
number of resolutions, which were
adopted at the recent meeting of the
League of Iowa municipalities at Wa
terloo Among the resolutions is
one favoring an appropriation for
good roads investigation and another
for a reformation of the laws in re-
gard to taxation levies by cities and
towns. The following were among
the resolutions adopted:
Good Roads Investigation.
Whereas, The Iowa League of Mu-
inequalities, recognizing the vitality inn
portant necessity for the construction
of permanent roadways, pavements
and of other municipal improvements,
and utilities in the state OF Iowa, and
of improved methods in constructing
and maintaining such roadways, pave
ments and other municipal improve
ments and utilities, deems it advisable
and necessary that ample and detailed
information regarding all proper mu-
nicipal activities be secured and made
available to the cities and towns of
Iowa. Now therefore, be it
Resolved, That the governor and
trustees of our state educational insti-
tutions be and are hereby respectful
ly petitioned and requested to secure
and publish in bulletin, or such other
form as may be deemed proper, the in
formation called for herein. Be it fur
Their
Resolved, That the general assem-
bly, of the state of Iowa be and is
hereby petitioned to place at the dis
posal of such state educational insti-
tutions such an amount of money as
will be necessary to make such inves-
tigation of practical value and assist
ance to the municipalities of Iowa.
To Help Cities of Second Class.
Resolved That the general Assem-.
bly, of the state of Iowa, be and is
hereby respectfully petitioned as fol
VOWS:
"First-To extend to cities of the
second class all of the provisions OF
chapter to the code of Iowa. grant,
ing authority to cities of the first class
power to purchase, erect, extend and
improve municipal waterworks plants
and facilities.
"Second-To extend to Incorporate
ed towns all of the provisions of chap.
ter of the code Of Iowa, granting to
cities of the first and second class
power to construct sanitary sewers
4 and assess the cost of the same tc
real property abutting on, adjacent to
| or benefited by the construction 81
| such sewers.
'Third-To specifically grant to cit
les and towns. including cities acting
under special charter, power to con-
Estruct and maintain sewerage and gar
bage disposal plants and to condemn
land upon which to construct such
plants
"Fourth-That cities and towns be
given power to levy and collect spe--
cial taxes for the purpose of constructs
ing city buildings.
"Fifth-That cities and towns be en-
powered to create street improvement
districts.
"SiXth-That counties be required to
employ counsel necessary for the resis.
lance of all contested appeals from as.
! sessments by boards of review, and tc
pay from the county treasury all ex--
lpenses incident to such employment.
"Saventh-That cites of the second
class be given authority to compensate
councilmen at a rate not exceeding 81
| for each council meeting, and not ex-.
feeding a total of 500 per annum.
"Eighth-To provide by proper legis
lation for system of uniform account
ing by all cites and towns, and for the
annual examination of the accounts OF
all cities and towns by the auditor OF
state.
tNinth-To provide by proper legis
/ lation that the cost of permanent side
walks, constructed by any municipality
may be paid for in installments, and
THAT special assessment certificates, pay
4 able in five annual installments. anC
bearing not more than 6 per cent inter
est, may be issued, chargeable to ant
payable by the property so improved
and benefited"
j Want Elkins Law Amended.
4 The resolutions further thank tn,
men who read papers before tn,
league, and the people of Waterloo TO
their hospitality and congratulate Wa
Iterloo people upon the magnificent de
velopment of the city.
The mayors of the state in their resC