Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-09-23
State Executive Council and
Trustees Disagree Over His
torical Building
PLAY AT POLITICS CHARGED
Member of Legislature Regularly
Employed in Archives Department
Iowa Library Commission Secures
Government Publications for Refer
ence use--capitaI News.
snacia, - ri,nes-repupl,can.

1 SDcClhl lO
Des Moines, Sept. 23.-There Is con-
nict as to authority between the eX-
ecutive council and the trustees of the
historical department in relation 70
the archives department and the con-
troll of the historical building. There
is an absence of feeling, however.
| Governor Cummins and Secretary OF
| State Hayward are members of both
bodies. While there is no feeling be-
| tween the two bodies there is some
| sharp criticism on the part OF friends
Of the historical department outside
Of the board Of trustees. These friends
think that politics is being run into the
archives department.
Look at that list of employees of
the archives department" said a friend
OF the department the other day.
Here Is the list: Representative John
Kelly, Of Polk county, who is foreman
or superintendent in charge of the
filing Of the archives. He retains his
position as representative from Polk
county and expects to be a candidate
for reelection. It is understood that
members OF. the supreme court advised
him there was no conflict of law that
would prevent his working in the de-
partment due to his holding office as a
member of the legislature.
In addition to Mr.. Kelly there is ID.
a. Kites, who under Secretary of State
Martin was deputy secretary of state;
Mr.. Ed Frisk, who was one of the
clerks of the house during the last
session of the legislature, and before
that was a clerk in the office Of the
county clerk of Polk county: n JOIN
l.. Thompson, a colored man, editor Of
the Iowa Hystander, a newspaper pub
lished for the colored people. Mr..
Thompson has frequently held posi-
tons as clerk in the county offices.
The Iowa library commission is TAX
ing advantage of the government pub
lications. Under a new arrangement
at the library of congress the libraries
and library commissions Of the coun-
try are being given a chance to use
these works. Many of the publica-
tons by the, departments al Washing
ton are very valuable but heretofore
there has been nc way for the public
to find out what h government was
publishing. Now the libraries are to
be kept informed. The Iowa library
commission is working in harmony
with the agricultural extension work
Of the Iowa State Agricultural College
and when inquiries are made to the
commission from the farmers and their
sons and daughters who are studying
thru the extension work the library
commission will be able to direct them
to government works giving the infor-
nation they seek. The government
works will also be kept by the COM
mission to be sent out as the other
books of the department are on loans.
Governor Cummins has recommend
ed to the war department that Major
]. A. Olrnsted, government inspector
of the Iowa National Guard, be re-
tanned as inspector for another five
years.
The United States government is
making inquiries as to the Iowa coal.
Professor White, from the national
luuSGuIl at WdSlAAAi6 I'LL, ~ "A ShS 49,
and spent all Saturday at the state
house looking at the data and gather
ing information at the historical de-
partment and the geological and mine
inspectors offices.
Mr.. McPherrin, of this city, has CIV
en- to the historical department Of Iowa
q guide to the roads of travel of the
United States. The book is printed in
the old style and is bound in leather.
1t is in a good state of preservation
and gives in detail the principal wagon
roads and steamboat river ines OF
travel indicating the directions to take
and the distance. between points. The
wagon. roads are always indicated for
a days travel. With the volume are a
large number Of letters written to, Mr..
McPherrin while he was a member Of
the legislature In 1s47 in which is dis
closed the politics Of those times in
relation ia. the election Of Granville M.
Dodge as United States senator and
the treatment Of the Mormons In Van
Buren, county. az