Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1907-05-23
May save state $500, 900.

AtlOTHey Generdl III. w. Dycro
made the state of Iowa a clean $4,000
at Council Bluffs few days ago, and
were he able to effect as favorable a
settlement of other law suits would
gain for the state more than 100000
out of the river land controversy that
has been going forward in that city
since 1904.
Mr.. Byers interviewed on behalf Of
the state in several law suits which
had been instituted in the Bluffs, af-
fecting the title of about 1000 acres
of land in what was known as "Cut-
off,, being the abandoned channel Of
the Missouri river. The controversy
was then as between the occupants of
the land and persons claiming color
Of title under proceedings instituted
by virtue of an act PASSED by the
legislature in 1904. General Byers
promptly acted on behalf of the state,
intervening to claim title for Iowa.
The Illinois Central railroad,
known in the lawsuit as the Omaha
Bridge and Terminal company, came
forward with proposition to settle
the claim Of the state and General
Byers agreed to take $4,000 on behalf
of the state treasury. The company
accepted the proposition. The fe-
deral court will enter decree, con-
corning the title in Iowa.
This sum represents between $3.50
and $500 an acre. Were 1t possible
to gain the victory in the suits affect
ing the other land likewise involved,
General Byers would be able to turn
in between $250,000 and 100000 at
the state house.
He says that two other cases are
approaching the point of settlement
on terms as advantageous to the state
as that just disposed of.
The land claimed by the railroad
really afforded the state less apparent
other cases, for the reason that the
state ITSELF through It's executive
council, has levied and collected taxes
from the railroads on account Of it
for several years.
1t was the strong contention Of the
road that this confirmed the tide of
the right of way in the railway COM
pany. But General Byers insisted on
the other theory, that the state could
not relinquish its rights even under
conditions in which it collected taxes
from other persons on account Of
property owned by itself.
Preliminary Work Nearly Complete.
A. e. Park, promoter OF the Cres-
ton, Winterset & Des Moines inter
urban, expects to have the prelimi-
nary work for the road completed
within few days and will leave for
the east within a short time to make
final arrangements with the eastern
financiers who have promised to
back tie road for beginning the con-
struction.
The right of way with the excep-
ton of a few pieces has been secured.
The arrangements with the property
holders who are holding out will
probably be perfected soon or the
ground will be condemned. Mr.. Park
is loaLh to take the latter action, 1t
| is said, and is doing all in his power
to adjust matters on reasonable
basis amicably.
Unless unexpected obstacles inter.
fere, it is expected that construction
work will begin about Aug. /. The
work will be rusted and the road will
probably be in operation before 1909.
| 1t is likely that construction gangs
will begin work on each end stimuli
taneously. This. Showever, will be de-
termined after the contracts have
been awarded.
The interurban taps one of the best
sections in Iowa and will be Of great
benefit to Des Moines merchants
and jobbers as we'll as the citizens
and smaller towns along the line.
President to Visit Iowa.
President Roosevelt win visit Iowa
in October, if plans which are prac-
tically made are carried out.
A dispatch from Washington is to
the effect that he will make a trip
down the Mississippi from some nor
thern point to Memphis, at least, in
October, and it Is stated that "the
cities which the preseiden will visit
and speak at on his trip will include
st. Louis, Mo-, Cairo, ILL.,, Memphis,
| Tenn, and some town in Iowa"
Identical information has been sent
| to st. Louis from Washington, st.
Louis Being specially interested In the
visit of the president to the Missis-
siClpi valley. Governor Cummins has
received no independent information
on the subject.
Governor Cummins Joined with IF
teen other governors IN extending an
urgent invitation to President Roose-
welt to come wes- in October
The presidents acceptance of the
invitation will be compliment to the
Mississippi valley. 1t has been urged
Upon him by the Business Mems
League of ST. Louis and the dis
patches from Washington to that city
Indicate that he will accept 1t with
| out fail.