Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1904-12-02

ance azs not % amusing as msy -
pected. They placed a dummy on the
track, filled with straw and excelsior.
and the rapidly moving car down
grade ran over it before the motor
man could stop the car. In doing so
he put on all the brakes possible and
reversed the current, which tumbled
the people in the car about In every
direction. They were not much hurt,
but the motorman was given a shock
from which he will not recover for
months. He supposed he had run
over and killed man. The boys were
caught and held for malicious mis-
chief, and are now in Jail. as they
were unable to get bonds. The motor
man is in a bad condition and unable
to work. The same trick was played
about year ago, with the same re-
suits.
Cummins in Washington.
Gov. Cummins was in Washington
last week, presenting the case of the
Iowa soldiers in the battle Of Shiloh
to the secretary of war. The Shiloh
battlefield commission insists that the
Iowa soldiers are not justified in their
claims of participation in that battle,
although the evidence is perfectly
clear to sustain their claim. At the
same time the governor met Gov Van
SAINT Of Minnesota, and they urged
upon the president the Importance of
clothing the interstate commerce COM
mission with greater powers for the
enforcement of their orders and the
regulation Of interstate freight rates,
which 1t is claimed are now unjust,
especially to western interests. Con-
gresham Hull takes the same view
and says that strong effort will be
made this winter to secure legislation
in congress increasing the authority
of the interstate commerce commits
sion.
New Ruling by Counsel.
The executive counsel has adopted
rule to the effect that hereafter the
expenses of only one member of any
state board attending national meet
ing will be paid by the state. Delega-
tons have been sent by various
boards, consisting Of the entire board
or several members Of it, and the ex-
pense charged up to the state. 1t has
been noticeable that good many of
these meetings have been held the
past year in st. Louis, affording OPP
portunities for attending the fair at
! public expense.
/ Tax Ferret Law Assaulted.
Judge Smith Mcpherson, of the
United States district court, has just
I rendered decision in case originate
/ ing at Council Bluffs that will be in
teresting to almost every county in
the state. In this case the tax ferret
law was assailed upon the ground that
/ 1t is contrary to the constitution OF
the United States. Judge Mcpherson
has sustained the law and held that It
is not in conflict with the federal con.
stitution. Probably very few laws
have been so much discussed In Iowa
as this one. There is a wide differ.
ence Of opinion concerning the justice
Of the law and the advisability of re-
sorting to such means to collect taxes.
It has resulted in collecting a great
amount of back taxes But 1t is also
claimed that 1t has compelled many
poor persons to pay an inordinate pro-
portion Of taxes. In some counties the
contracts with the tax ferrets have
been discontinued.
To Use kaleidoscope.
The kaleidoscope will be introduced
into the Iowa charitable and elemosy-
| nary institutions for the entertain
The board of control has done a great
deal since it took charge of these in
| situations to improve the conditions
for the people who live in them. En-
| tertatnment is an important part Of
the modern treatment of the insane
and the defective of all classes. The
moving pictures will be used not only
for their entertainment, but for their
educational advantages, and the diff
ferent pictures will be passed around
from one institution to another. His
tortcal events will be shown in series
in this way, and this will be especially
valuable in the institutions where
children are taught
F. W. B1cKNELL.
Defect May Kill Amendment.
Especial Correspondence
1t is claimed that fatal defect has
been discovered in the adoption of the
constitutional amendment for biennial
elections. The proposition as submit
| ted to the voters on the ballot said:
"Shall the following amendment to
the constitution be adopted?" etc.
The objection is that the inquiry
should have referred to the constitu-
ton of Iowa, which it does not in exc
press terms. Doubtless the whole
matter will be carried to the supreme
court, as it was four years ago, when
l the amendment waa adontod hy +ho