Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1908-03-06
DES MONIES LETTER
Items Of Interest From Our Correspondents
at the State Capital.
. ~ &

The Boys Departments are giving
scientific study to the boy problem.
AS the success of this work depends
on capable leadership, every effort
has been made to help both employed
officers and volunteer workers to be-
come better informed. Men and older
boys from eighteen associations were
brought in touch with the series Of
institutes held recently, to their great
advantage. Conferences with parents
pastors, Sunday school teachers, sup
erintendents and teachers in public
schools have been held at Waterloo
Fort Dodge, Atlantic, Ottumwa, Fort
Madison, and Clinton
The first boys conference for Iowa
has just been held at Oskaloosa. Nine
ty one delegates were present from
fifteen points, besides fifty Oskaloosa
boys. Bible study and personal work
were given especial attention. There
were fifteen decisions for the Chris.
tian life in the Sunday meetings.
In the city and railroad associa,
lions there are 1890 men and boys
enrolled in systematic bible study.
Eight associatins are conducting from
one to four noon shop bible classes,
taking the gospel to 1900 men each
week. A large majority of whom are
not reached by any other Christian
agency. Out of these classes has al.
ready come two requests for home
classes. There were 275 decisions
for the Christian life in Fred B.
Smiths campaigns at Des Moines and
Ottumwa. DR.. Geo. j. Fisher Of the
international committee held very
inspiring institute on religious work
In the physical department, with the
physical directors of the state at
Cedar Rapids.
The county work men have been
giving especial attention to evange.
listic work. Campaigns have been
held at Baxter, Patton, Jeffer,
son, Defiance, Kirkham and Shelby,
These towns were stirred up and g
majority of the nom Christian men
made the objects of well directed per
| sonal effort by local leaders. The
state and county secretaries had the
assistance of Ames students Asa Tur.
ner and A. R. Hackett. Buena Vista
county is now being organized More
than half the money needed has al.
ready been secured. A number OF
other counties are calling fcr the
work.
Claim Unjust Rates.
Alleging that the Chicago, Milwau.
kee & st. Paul railway is compelling
1T to pay extortionate switching
charges at Ottumwa, the Ottumwa
Brick & Construction company has
applied for writ of injunction in the
federal court. Judge Smith McPher
son issued a temporary restraining
order enjoining the railroad from
charging more than So for switching
cars from the transfer yards in OF,
tumwa to the company's plant and re.
turn. The case was set for hearing
on the first day of the Ottumwa term
of court, which begins March 80.
According to the bill of complaint
the Milwaukee constructed spur
track from Ottumwa to the brick
company's plant about ten years ago
Until November, 1906, the complaint
says, the Milwaukee charged rate Of
So per car for switching cars on the
Rock Island, Burlington and Wabash
roads to and from the plant. This
rate, 1t is claimed, is fair and rea
sonable one. But in November, 1906
the compliments say the rate wal
arbitrarily raised to 2.S cents pei
hundred pounds Of freight. On Febru
airy, 1907, the charge was reduced tc
81 per car, and in February, 1908, II
was again advanced to 2.24 cents pei
hundred. This makes the charge from
1894 to $17.92 or more per car, &C
cording to the complaint. Such
charges are claimed to be unreason
able, unjust, extortionate and in VIC
lation of the laws of the state Of
Iowa and the United States. If re
,quired to pay it they say they will be
compelled to operate their plant at q
| loss.
The rate of SO per car. is not OBJ
| jected to, but the company claims any
charge above that amount is unrea
sonable.
Orders Of Supreme Court.
An order issued by the clerk Of
the supreme court to the notice Of
attorneys of the state providing thai
the clerk in making up the docket
for the May term of 1908 shall place
thereon all continued cases, petitions
for rehearing filed under rule 10, Ger
tiorari cases and criminal causes filed
thirty days before May 5 and al
other cases docketed before Dec. /
1907.
G. W. Lyon, assistant attorney gen
eral has returned from Washington
d. c., where he presented the states
side in the Charles Thomas case be
fore the supreme court of the United
States. Both the question Of juris
diction and the one involving the
freedom of Thomas were submitted tc
the court. It will decide, in the first
place, whether it has jurisdiction in
the case. If 1t has not 1t will moi
discuss the other point; but If 1t de
cides that it has, the same decision
| will contain the finding as to the
merits of the case. 1t is probable
that month or longer will intervene
before the decision is reached.
CAsToRTA.