Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-18
HOME CONCERNS ARE LEGA
Iowa Judge Decides Law Passed by Last
Legislature il Unconstitutional.
CONFUSION REGARDING THE ROAD LAWS
Akers Gets Big PROFIT out of Lodge
Pins-Mose Jacobs Gees 10000
in Suit Against His
Father.
CFrom a STAFF Correspondent

From a STAFF Correspondent
DIES MONIES. Jan. 17.-(special.) lin the
district court today Judge A. II. McVey
rendered a decision to the effect that what
is known as the Griswold law, passed by
the legislature last winter. is unconstitu-
tional. This was a law designed to curb
the operations Of the so-called home co.
operative concerns doing business in Iowa.
II came to the attention Of the governor
and members OF the Legislature hat a
number Of concerns were engaged In selling
jewelry and lets on a kind Of installment
plan, with some features closely resembling
lotteries, In that preference was shown
customers by a drawing in which the hold
ers of lucky numbers we're allowed to bor-
row money before others. and that an im>
mense business was being done by COM
panics, chiefly in Kansas City and Mime,
apolis. At the same time a number OF
similar companies we're organized in Des
Moines. A conference was held between
state officials and leading members OF the
assembly and a bill was drawn up which
had for its purpose to compel all persons
or firms engaged in this business to In
corporate under the building and loan
laws of the state and put up heavy bonds
" AAt BbAAbAA MANY VI NhNAA NSAAA US ~
building and loan laws Of the state are such
that business cannot be done on alspecula-
tive basis. The companies affected fought
the bill, but it was passed, and they Inn
mediatnly had n test Ease brought by hav>
ing an agent Of a Kansas City company
arrested and brought before the court.
Judge McVey has not vet filed his written
opinion in the case, but announced that
he had decided the law was unconstitu-
tional. Opinions and arguments were filed
before him last spring by the attorney gen.
eral and the county attorney. The case
will be Immediately appealed to the SUI
preme court to get that body to pass on
the law. II Judge McVey is sustained the
state will be powerless to prevent the
business.
Road Law Confusion.
The secretary OF state has decided that
a new edition of the road laws of the state
will have to be published. as it has come
to his attention that there is much confusion
arising from errors in unofficial manuals de-
signed for the guidance Of county and town
ship officers. One of these manual con-
ta.ns the road law as changed by the i'm
portant amendments Of the last legislature,
but having the court citations of the old
law, which do not apply at all. The new
law requires that the township unit system
shall be adopted in every county, whoFeas
this was optional under the old law, land
it is now required that all road taxes in
Iowa shall be paid in cash. AS there is
some confusion arising over a misunder-
standing of the new laws, the state will
have the laws printed in form for use of
! county and township ~oahcials.
Poisoned by Eating Fish.
Samuel ]. Harvey is lying at the point of
death from eating fish. Mr.. Harvey is o
carpenter. Last evening he took home
some fish for supper and 1t was placed on
the table. He is very fond of fish and ate
freely of the dish. but other members Of
the family ate but little. Soon after sup
per he was seized with violent pains in
the stomach and a doctor was sent for. lie
found that Mr.. Harvey was affected by
poison from the fish. Others OF the family
were not affected at all. During the night
the life OF Mr.. Harvey was despaired OF and
the doctors remained with him constantly.
He finally rallied and today was somewhat
better, but still far from being out of dan
ger.
No Senatorial Contest Now.
The statement has been widely published
in correspondence sent from Des Moines
that the legislature which is to be elected
this year is likely to have the choosing of
a United States senator. II this we're true
a senatorial conflict might be started at
once. But this was on the assumption that
the biennial elections amendments will
carry and there will be no election Of a
legislature in 1905 and no legislature until
after the expiration of Senator Delivers
term. This is not the case. The biennial
elections amendment. which is pretty sure
to be carried, will necessitate two sessions
of the legislature elected this year, but
another legislature will be elected and will
meet three months before the expiration OF
the present term of Senator Dolliver.
Indicted for FOrEerIes.
Thomas I. Jebb, who has been agent at
Ottumwa for the National Life and Trust
company of this city until his arrest a
short time ago for forgery, has been In
dicted seven times by. the grand Jury OF
Wapello county. He was first arrested for
uttering a Dote with the name Of Father
Hoppman forged thereto, and since then
four other notes have turned up which the
grand jury believed TO have been forgeries
by Jebb.
New Corporations.
The a~rticlesN of Incorporation Of the
Montrose Savings bank have been filed for
record; capital, $4,000; II, r. Youkin,
president; w. G: Goodrich, cashier. This
is the first bank organized in Montrose,
one Of the oldest towns Of the state.
The Oscar Run company Of Sioux City
has been incorporated with a capital OF
, $40, OOC
The Iowa Tourists association Of Des
Moines has been incorporated with $4,000
capital by. G. A. Paschal and j. E. Var
Wrinkle,
Profit In Lodge Badges.
Some time ago officers Of the Modern
Woodmen sent out a circular warning
members against the purchase OF lodge
pins out Of charity for one S. T. Akert
, on account OF a Kansas City house, o.
! which p. Stephen Harris, formerly OF thi'
/, city. was the head. A statement was ap'
pended from the clerk OF the camp at Var
I, Meter, Ia, to which Akers belongs stat
p - -. H.. So. .aFfIWu vary little NH