Omaha daily bee., 1908-05-20
CUMMINS PLAYS BIG CARD
Meeting at Des MOines Intended to
Offset the Dolliver Rally.
OUT FOR PRoUTY AGAINST HULL
Taxation Reform League Planning q
for an Active Campaign ns Soon
as the Primaries Are Out
the WAY,
frrnm a staff Correspondent, /,


DEs MONIES, May 19-(Special Tele-
gram.)-The widely advertised Cummins'
meeting and probably the last big meeting
for either side to be held in Des Moines
this campaign, was held tonight in the
auditorium. which was well filled. d. c.
Chase Of Webster City, Attorney General
Byers of Harlan, Judge Prouty and Gov
ernor Cummins of Des Molnes were the
speakers Judge Prouty, who Is a candi-
date for congress against Captain Hull,
paid some special attention to Senator Dolli-
YER and the railroad rate question, and at
tempted TO prove that every year the Inter
state Commerce commission in its report
asked for legislation for ten years got none
because. he alleged, Dolliver was asleep on
the question, He pointed out that though
in every congressional campaign It is
claimed that a new congressman cannot get
appropriations for his district, yet the con-
gress now in session has given Dan Hamil-
ton, a democrat and congressman from
the Sixth district. a larger appropriation for
that district than for any other district in
Iowa
In the campaigns that have passed Cow
ernor Cummlns has been friendly to but
has never taken the stump for Prouty. To-
night for the first time, and that in opening
his remarks, he advocated Prouty's election.
His speech was devoted mainly to the legis-
lation enacted since he has been governor
and declared that he had not said and
would not say a word during the campaign
against the character of Allison.
Reform in Taxation.
Iowa will 60 deep into the question of
taxation as soon as the primary election
is over with and between that and the
convening Of the legislature next January
the Iowa Tax Revision association will have
speakers visit each of the principal cities
of the state and discuss the subject of a
revision Of the taxation and assessment
laws The association is now arranging
these dates and is in communication with
the business men of Des Moines in the hope
of arranging soon to have q speaker visit
this city.
The business men of Des Mones have all
ready become interested in the matter them
selves and have made arrangements to have
the expert who engineered the revision of
the assessment laws of Ohio so as to put
Cleveland on an ideal basis so far as taxes
were concerned, come to this city and de-
liver an address upon the subject some
time in about three months.
There Is already a strong sentiment In
Des Moines and elsewhere in the state
especially in the larger cities, to have the
laws revised so that there will be no tax
alton of monies and credits and mortgages.
When the legislature met in 1907 there was
an effort made by the business men OF
Sioux City. through their representatives
in the legislature. to get this change made
and wnen they failed an attempt was made
| to get the appointment OF tax revision
commission. This failed also and members
Of the legislature with some city officials
formed Iowa Tax Revision Association"
with the avowed purpose of securing from
the legislature a revision commission and
ultimate revision of the laws. Political
campaigns have been occupying the public
mind. but following the primary election
on June 2 an effort will be made to have
speakers address the commercial clubs of
the various cities and other organizations
with the view to agitating for sentiment
In favor of revision.