Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-18
CHANGE IN TAXING SYSTEM
Burden of Permanent Improvements
to Be Laid on the Future.
DIRECT VOTE FOR SENATORS
Effort Made to Wreck Melanarch
Bridge Under Course of COnstruc-
ton by Removing Wedges
from Unfinished Work.
(From a Staff Correspondent

DIES MONIES, Ia, Dec. I1-(Special.)-
One of the most radical of departures
in tax matters is to be recommended to
the coming legislature of Iowa by the
Iowa Tax Revision society and the Iowa
Municipal league. 1t Is a revision of the
law so as to throw the tax burden for
public improvements upon the shoulders
of coming generations who are to enjoy
the privileges instead of principally upon
the present generation.
1t is urged that where public parks
are bought. new city halls built, new
bridges constructed and the like that are
to be of service for fifty or 100 succeed
ing years the tax burden should be so
apportioned as to fall but partially on
the property owners Of the present time
and the additional tax upon citizens of
succeeding years who will enjoy the
benefits and privileges OF these improve
ments. Frank Pierce of Marshalltown,
secretary OF the Iowa League of NUM-
cipalities, has written the many city may
ors throughout the state asking them
to assist in encouraging the enactment
of such a law.
Election of Senator'S.
State Senator E. J. Moon Of Ottumwa,
at the coming session of the legislature
will introduce the bill which was sup
ported Dy the ucllOCTdls dk thS SPSSioi
session and which would, If enacted, give
the election of United States senators
by direct vote. to the people In this state.
The democrats propose an amendment
to the primary law whereby the names
for the various candidates for United
States senator, regardless of party shall
be placed on the regular Australian bal
lot where legislators are elected. Then
every voter is asked to vote his choice for
senator. Every candidate for the logisla-
ture is requested to sign an agreement
to abide by the choice of the people for
senator. This Is not compulsory but 1t
is expected that he who refuses to sign
such an agreement would stand slim
chances at the polls. Then the democrats
would have the candidate for senator
receiving the largest number of popular
votes elected by the legislature. II there
should be a democratic legislature and
the people voted for a republican senator
they would have the legislature elect
the republican who was the choice of
the people. This is one way OF getting
around the United States constitution
as It now stands. It is virtually the Ore
gon law.
Tries to Wreck Bridge.
An attempt was made by unidentified
parties to wreck the new Melan arch bridge.
now being constructed over the Des Moines
river here, by removing wedges under the
imports for the work. Had not the work
OF the vandals been discovered and opera
lions started it might have cost several
lives and damages amounting TO $4,000. II
Is believed the work was done by dis
charged employees, through spite.
Young Skater Drowned.
James Johnson, 9 years old, broke through
the ice while skating on Deans lake, near
the edge of the city, and was drowned.
short on Statistics.
Superintendent Vance OF the State School
for the Blind, who is in the city attending
the meeting Of the State Board of Control,
declares that county superintendent are
remiss in their duty in not reporting to
the state authorities the number OF blind
children in their counties. The law pro-
vides that teachers shall report to the
county superintendent and he, in turn, tc
the state superintendent OF public In
struction. Because of a general ignoring
OF this law the superintendent of the Schoo
for the Blind is unable to get the names
OF blind young people who should be en-
~couraEed to go TO the college for the BLIND
and learn 10 become more competent Il
care for themselves.
Says Grand Juries Farce.
Attorney General Byers today stated
that the present grand jury system is a
farce and that instead OF saying a mar
should be tried for a crime the bod.
usually says, which Of more than one
seemingly guilty people shall be tried Tor
the crime. Assistant Attorney Geners
Lyons has expressed himself as favoriR