Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1907-02-13


i've Interest in the department bill,
either for OF against the measure, but
1t Is known that most of them would
appreciate the installation of COM
missioner, and they feel that because
they pay into the state treasury some
thing like 100000 year in taxes.
they are entitled to consideration.
Woman Suffrage Again.
Mrs. Evelyn Dame who is chief of
the lobbyists for constitutional
amendment giving women the right to
vote, has had the joint resolution for
that purpose introduced in the house.
1t Is similar to previous resolutions on
the subject and was presented by
Hambleton of Mahaska county. Mrs
Dame has been in Des Moines since
the, opening day of the assembly and
has been very busy interviewing and
interesting members in the measure.
She processes to feel confident the res
olutton will be adopted by both houses
! OF the assembly this winter and that
the question will be referred to the
people for ratification at the polls. For
years past the practice Of Iowa legis-
lators has been to pass the resolution
in one house, thus throwing small
honeyed sop to the women, but rely
Ing always on the other house to put
the measure to death. In the Thirty
first general assembly not even this
scant showing of courtesy was vouch-
safed the ladies, the resolution failing
of approval in either branch.
Senate file No. 2. by Blakely, which
provides for the investment of the
funds of fraternal beneficiary socie-
ties. orders and associations, became a
law Friday, when it was passed by the
house.
Constitutional Convention.
The Smith resolution providing that
congress shall call convention of the
states for the purpose of revising the
national constitution so as to permit
the election Of United States senators
by direct vote, will be reported back
to the senate for passage this week.
The resolution, which is said to be
identical with one to be introduced in
each Of the states having legislatures
in session this winter. declares that
the failure of congress to act on the
question makes constitutional con.
vention the only recourse left. The
resolution will meet considerable op.
position. but the chances are that it
will be adopted by both houses.
/ n~tI.a.l etn.
Still the men who believe they can
solve the puzzle as to railroad trans,
portation cost are having their In.
nings in the legislature by the route
of new bills to that effect. There are
now nearly a dozen bills before the
railroad committees of the two houses
all aimed at the redemption of the
political platforms of the two parties
last fall to give the people right tc
travel at cheaper rates than at pres
ent enjoyed. Most of the measures, as
previously stated, classify the roads
and make two cents per mile the max
imum charge for class A roads. But
one of them, a bill by Representative
Frank F. Jones of Montgomery, goel
a little deeper into the problem
Representative Jones in his bill pro
vides for two cent fare charge OF
all class A roads, but follows thi:
with provision that roads which
issue family mileage book, good un
til used, can charge maximum O
two and one-half cents regularly
That is, the person who can invest $1(
or 500 can secure the two cent rate Il
the road issues mileage books, bu
then the road may charge those with
out mileage books two and one-hal
cents. 1t is believed this bill, If it be
comes a law. would compel all of thu
lines to put family mileage books OF
the market. and as they can be is
sued In coupons of 500 miles or more
the expense would not be heavy t,
any one desiring to secure book
The Jones bill in full is as follows
"All railroad corporations, accord
ing to their classification as hereil
prescribed, shall be limited to com
pensation per mile for transportation
of any person with ordinary baggage
not exceeding $50 pounds in weight
as follows: Glass A, two cents; clas
B, three cents; class G, four cents
and for children twelve years of ag
or under. one-half the rate prescribe,
above, providing that the maximum II
class A may be two and one-half cent
by any railroad corporation whicl
sells, subject to rules and regulation
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