Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1904-03-16
IEINE FACTORY Favored
Plan Would Save Almost Half
Million to Farmers.
SOLVE CONVICT LABOR PROBLEM
Governor Cummns Recommends Some
Changes in Extradton Laws to
Meet Emergencies Like Poisoning
Case-Elevator Accident Verdict.

meet emergencies G'NS FS'So"''S
Case-Elevator Accident Verdict.
Des Moines, March 15.-The coro-
ner's jury charged with the investiga-
ton of the fatal accident by which
Mrs. A. Hoch and Mrs. Charles b.
Fountain met their death in the SEN
ate elevator on Feb rs, returned
verdict last week, which reflects some
what upon the legislature for employ
ing inexperienced elevator conduct
ors and also states that the elevators.
which were put in the past season un-
der the supervision of the capitol COM
mission. were not in good condition.
There is probability, since the
coroner's jury places the responsible
ity in a great measure upon the state.
that bills may be introduced making
appropriations for the relatives OF the
victims of the accident.
majority OF the joint committee
appointed to investigate the feasibil-
ity of establishing a binding Irvine
manufacturing plant at the Anamosa
penitentiary, reported in favor OF the
proposition. Senator Maytag and Rep.
report of the majority Of the commit
tee The majority say it would be a
| good business proposition. but admit
| 1t would cost the state $l25, 900 to es-.
| tablsh the plant and should have a
| capital Of 100000 to run the concern.
| he 70
of the state 100000 annually in the
expense of binding Irvine. and that
| estimating the labor OF convicts at
the same amount. which would be paid
for the same labor outside. ii would
bring in a profit OF $500 per day to
convicts would be utilized and it
would be for the benefit OF the men
to have something for them to do.
Their. labor would not come in compe-
tition with outside labor in this state
and the establishment OF such a plant
| the farmers of the state the burden
imposed upon them by the binding
Irvine trust
The committee was also instructed
| to investigate the question of putting
convicts at work on the roads of the
state. On this proposition the COM
mittee says it is not expedient. as the
cost of the guards required and the
transportation would be more than
the value of their work.
Extradtion Law Lame.
The case of Mrs. Sherman Dye Of
poisoned candy to Miss Rena Nelson
(, of Pierre, s. d. who died from eating
the same, brought to light defect In
the extradition laws of the state.
which prevented Governor Cummins
recognizing the demand of the gov
ing of the accused woman and result
ed in Mrs Dyes release. Governor
Cummins at once sent a communica-
ton to the legislature stating the
facts and pointing mt the defects in
| the law. After stating that Miss Mel
son died in South Dakota from eating
the supposed poisoned candy, the gov
ernor said:
'It is well established by the author
tiles that the offense of murder. com
mitted in the way have described Is
an otfense committed not in the state
of Iowa. but in the state of South Da-
kota, and therefore Is not punishable
in IGwa know nothing respecting
the guilt or innocence of the person ac-
cused. but 1t is perfectly clear that
any system which will allow a guilty
persons to escape trial under such cir
cumstances Is seriously defective"
| The governor then quotes the fed.
eral statutes relative to the extra
dition OF fugitives from justice. and
| continues:
| 'Tn the case to which refer. the
accused was not in South Dakota when
the crime was committed and there
fore did not flee from the state nor
| from its justice. and there can be no
adequate administration Of the law In
such instances. unless the governor
is empowered to extradite under other
conditions than those now provided"
| AitOtHey GeHeTdl Mulldn mas pre-
pared bill amending the extradition
laws OF the state to remedy this de-
feet.
cownie Reappointed.
| Governor Cummins has reappointed
Hon. John Cownie member OF the
board of control and + f. McCurdy
custodian Of the capitol. and the sen
ate has approved the appointments
Both houses have passed the bill
! providing for the annual appropriation
of $3.50 to assist In the payment of ex-
| penses of the G. A. r heauanarters
1t is the intention that this state aid
may enable the department TO main
tain its headquarters and knon the
records without requiring sue Wy
| dues from its membership.
The Iowa commission TO the st.
| Louis fair got into a little trouble
with the legislature over the addi-
tional appropriation of $4,000, which
passed both houses. The committee
| which reported the bill recommended
that $4,000 of the appropriation be