Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1904-11-22
ART WINS DISPUTE
GARNsEY GETS DECISION IN
STATE HOUSE CASE.
EDUCATION GAINS IN IOWA
Enrolment of Students Shows Big In
crease = Crusade Against Chop
ping Trains" = Little Red
School House Must Go.
Especial Correspondence

ping trains" - Little Red
School House Must Go.
Especial Correspondence
Des Moines, Ia, Nov. 14.-The decision
OF Judge Brennan in the district court OF
Polk county, unfolding the contract
made by the capitol Improvement COM
mission with Elmer E. Garnsey to dec
crate the interior of the building, settles
that controversy, and the work will now
90 on. When it is completed Iowa will
have the satisfaction of possessing
great work of art at a price below what
such work has usually commanded in
other states. Judge Brennan says in his
decision:
From the evidence submitted, and the
action of the two legislative bodies re-
ferred to, and their appointment of the
two commissions to investigate and eX-
ecute this work, am forced to the con-
clusion that it was the purpose and in.
tention to have the structure decorated
in the very best manner and by the very
best artists America could afford, so that
these Interior decorations will blend
into harmony with the grand classic
architecture, the monument of honest
construction and wisdom in its design.
This commission, in order to carry out
the will and desire of the people of the
state, sought to find the best American
artists to do this work, and | am con-
WINGED from the evidence before me that
In the selection of Mr.. Garnsey they acted
wisely. Poets are born, not made, is all
axiom which applies to the artists as
well. The distinguishing feature be-
tween the artist and the artisan is that
one creates, the other executes Mural
decoration is distinct branch of ar
hstic work, and whether the colors be
applied to the soft plaster called the
'fresco,' or upon the dry finished wall, it
requires the skill and genius of an artist.
TO complete design and produce colors,
not of the extreme startling nature, but
that which will not mar nor destroy the
beauty of, and to complete the whole
building in harmony with its character
and uses is the work of an artist, who
will not submit to procuring the work
by competitive bids. The evidence Of
men of large experience say that the
price agreed for the high class of work
demanded is a reasonable price The
further contention that the commission
has delegated it's authority to Mr..
Earnsey has no merits. This commission
is composed OF men of high character.
Mr.. Cumming, an artist; Mr.. Schoent-
man of sound business qualities. These
men will continue to superintend this
work until completed, and have not
parted with this right. After giving this
matter careful attention from every
standpoint, I am convinced that the
court, If it had the power, should not
interfere with these discretionary pow
ers, and confidence reposed in this COM
mission to carry out and perform this
high work of art demanded by the people
of the state.
Education Makes Big Gains.
The report of H. c. Dorcas, state uni
versity registrar. shows that Iowa's
leading educational institution has
made remarkable gain in students this
year. The enrolment on the 18th OF
October was l,462, about 70 more than
last years total registration at the end
, of the year, or an increase of POI over the
enrolment at the same time last year.
The college of liberal arts has Ill stu
dents, an increase of 1853. The best evil
dence of the growth and satisfactory
condition of the university is shown by
the fact that the freshman class has
gained SO per cent. over last year In the
college of liberal arts the freshmen num-
Der 214 against LIT last year. The to-
tai attendance last year was 1893, and
If the present gains keep up as expected
the enrollmnt this year will be the
greatest the university has known.
Authorities Jail Train "FEppers.n
The small boys in most of the towns
are fond of an adventure known as chop
ping trains" that is, jumping on to
moving freight trains or to cars that are
being switched. Nearly all the towns
have ordinances against this practice,
and there is state law against it. In
Cedar Rapids the authorities have come
to the conclusion that it pays to en-
force this law, and boy there was re-
Gently sent to Jail for seven days for in
dulging in this dangerous amusement
They think it is cheaper to keep few
adventuresome boys in Jail few weeks
than it is to support them for the rest Of
their lives as cripples.
School Consolidation Certain.
School consolidation is being discussed
In many localities in Iowa There Is
et present some opposition to the plan,
which is not strange, for people are wont
to cleave to what is hallowed by age and
long usage. Where the new plan has
been tested, there is no talk of going
back to the old, and it is more than
likely that within asfew years the oppo-
sition will everywhere have been over
come, and graded schools will replace
the little red schoolhouse, where one
| teacher, and not always very well
equipped teacher, now teaches the young
folk all that the majority of them are
taught in school. In addition to the
other advantages it can be shown, the
advocates of the plan claim, that school
consolidation means, not only better
schools, but also less expense
Donate Mares to College.
Two of the best mares of the Belgian
government exhibit of horses at St.
Louis have been shipped to the Iowa
state college at Ames These mares