Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-01-01
reform IS KEYNOTE
Many New Laws to be Consid'
cred by Legislatures of
Western States
PRIMARIES AND CAR SHORTAGE
Thes. Are Important Questions and
Laws Will Probably be Enacted -
Liquor Traffic Issue in Five States
Some Fierce Contests in Prospect
Among soIons.

Among soIons.
Chicago, Jan. Ia mighty din from
legislative forces will begin to echo
|thruout the west early In January when
general assemblies convened and law
makers take up the sledges to hammer
out reform enactments. Few states
are without live issues of varied and
sweeping character, and the year 1907
promises to be prolific In new laws
more or less drastic.
Railroad reforms stand foremost
among the questions that confront the
Legislators. The movement in favor Of
more rigid restriction is general in its
scope, and the anvils will ring with the
| beating out Of statutes that range from
anti-pa measures to acts establishing
q 2-cent fare, the latter forming the
chief issue In at least eight western
states.
Corporations in general are in for
treatment more or less severe, agita-
ton being on for new banking laws
that will protect depositors more ade-
quately, for new insurance laws that
will bring fire and life companies
more directly under the supervision Of
state commissions, and for new taxing
schemes that will provide for greater
revenues from public utility concerns.
Direct Primaries Sought.
Changes in the political system also
are up for action in several common
wealths, four OF which are pledged to
follow the lead Of Minnesota, Illinois
and Wisconsin In the enactment Of a
law that will give direct primaries and
that will give the electors chance to
by taking into their own hands the
matter of picking party candidates.
The liquor traffic, too, will be an
important part OF the years reforms.
In five states local option laws are to
be presented. Their fate liz problemat-
| ical, but the fact that they will form
part Of the legislative grist has led to
| a lining up Of the liquor elements and
the temperance forces in preparation
for fierce battle.
The question Of taxation will be
another bone of contention in at least
eight states, and measures are being
prepared that provide for changes in
the revenue system. In Illinois a
| fight will be made to make the rail-
roads and other public service corpora
tons pay all state taxes, instead OF
Imposing them on holders of general
property, while In Wisconsin there will
be an attempt to pass an act for q
graduated income tax.
Reforms for Wisconsin.
Wisconsin will keep up its record for
blazing the path to new reforms by
considering a bill creating state COM
| mission to regulate the rates of water.
electric lighting and gas companies, and
to give the railroad commission power
| to regulate the charges of telephone,
telegraph and street railway companies
and to control the Issue of stocks and
bonds of all public service corpora
| lions to keep them from being watered.
| The great live Issue Of general In
terest turnout the general assemblies
of the west, however, is that dealing
with the railroad companies. There
are Ave phases to the question, the
l
lower passenger fares. In eight states,
2-cent fares will be fought for. Accom-
panying the reduction In fares is q
general movement to abolish the pass
system, and seven states are preparing
to toll the knell of the ANIMALS with
which The railroads have kept on the
good side Of lawmakers and politicians.
The passage of the pass, 1t is expected,
will be attended by bitter contests
/ Sixteen western states also are ready
| to consider bills that will supplement
| the regular act passed at the last
session OF congress. These measures
will seek to enlarge. the funN.io of
existing railroad commissions or to
create new ones where none is in
vogue. In general the idea will be to
make the federal statute which Is OF
| interstate application, state act to be
| enforced in the boundaries Of the var
ious communicating.
Car Shortage olive" Subject.
In many states, particularly in the
grain and mineral belts, the car short
age has led to great activity on the
part of the voters Eleven general as
semblies Will seek remedy for the
evil. the main hope lying in recipro-
cal demurrage act, which will provide
a tax of so much a. day on railroads
for each day loaded grain car is left
standing on siding after shipping di-
rections are given.
| The most important bill to come be-
fore the minnesota assembly affects
taxation. A bill will be introduced
providing for the creation OF a tenn
porary tax commission to draft a code
Of new tax laws. Railroad measures to
be introduced will provide for a 2-cent
fare. the abolition of the pass and the
establishment Of the reciprocal demir-
rage plan. The insurance laws will also
come in for revision.
Railroad questions are to the front IN
Nebraska First, attention will be CIV
en- bills to stop passes. to cut fares to
cents. and to extend the powers Of the
railroad commission. This year the re-
publicans are pledged to pass direct
primary law Insurance bills and rev.
enue amendments will be among ci~<
matters.
Issues in Dakotas.
Anti-pass, 2-cent fare and primary
election bills will form the most inn
portant measures to be considered by
the South Dakota assembly. One fight
will he tn nass the primary election