Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1908-02-27
Corporations Cannot own Saloons.

Byers has decided that corporations
cannot lawfully own and operate re-
tail saloons in Iowa.
It is believed that half of the sa-
ICONS in the state are owned, operated
or controlled by corporations, includ-
ing the brewery companies.
The opinion was elected by inquiry
submitted by the executive council.
Applications had been made to the
council for permission under the
Peterson law to issue corporation
capital stock in exchange for valuable
saloon property. The question arose
as to whether corporation could
lawfully own a saloon. 1t was SUBJ
mitted forthwith to the attorney
general.
The opinion of General Byers will
force the saloon business to be done
by individuals who will be personally
responsible for the debts and other
obligations incurred in the business.
In many of the cities of the state
brewery companies own a large num-
Der of the saloons The decision of
the attorney general will stop that
practice. In Davenport, for instance,
there was a controversy between the
saloons owned by the Rock Island and
the Davenport breweries as to
whether their saloons should observe
the order of the state to close up in
accordance with the mulct law. In
Sioux City, Davenport, Dubuque, Bur-
lington, Iowa City and many other
cities, the saloons are said to be
10 INV
tions.
1t is supposed that the saloons af-
fected by the decision will not abide
by it except that the court sustain 1t.
Probably cases will be brought to test
1t. Under the decision, prosecution
may be brought against saloons which
are operated by corporations instead
of individuals, If within reasonable
time the property is not transferred.
When the saloons are owned by in
dividuals instead of corporations the
property not only will be subject to
levy and attachment for debt and for
Judgment obtained by injured widows,
minors, etc., but the personal property
of the individuals operating the places
will be subject to such attachments,
whereas in the case of corporation
owning and operating saloon only
the saloon property so owned is liable.
The sweeping nature of the opinion
makes 1t as sensational as the deci-
sion made by the attorney general
few months ago that the saloons of
the state must obey the mulct law,
and under which those at Davenport
and Council Bluffs, at least, have
come under the provisions of the law,
while movements are being started to
compel observance of the law in Bur-
lington and other cities.
Railroads Are Turned Down.
Iowa's railroad commission denied
the application of the railroads for
the PRONUNCIATION of what is known as
the southern rule" governing charges
on shipments of less than 100 pounds.
1t was stated by the railroad rep
resentatives that if Iowa denied the
application in all probability it would
result in the withdrawal of the rule
as to interstate shipments. 1t was
put into force recently and the rail-
roads have asked the western classi-
fication territory-Iowa, Minnesota.
Illinois and Wisconsin-to announce
the same rule.
There now is in force in Iowa, the
25-cent minimum charge. That is,
packages of less than 100 pounds are
shipped for 25 cents and the order of
the board requires the railroads to
absorb transfer charges. This form
erly was the practice of the railroads
on interstate shipments. At one
time the Iowa board increased the
minimum from 25 to 40 cents, but
this order was cancelled before 1t
went into effect The 25-cent charge
has been in effect for about thirty
years on interstate business until the
adoption of the southern rule.
Under the southern rule, minimum
weight shipments would take their
proper classification and their mileage
rate, in Iowa.
Minimum weight shipments of first
class goods would still go at the rs.
cent rate up to 10 miles, second class
up to $50 miles, third class up to 23O
miles, and fourth class UP to 300 miles
PopuIist State Convention.
The populists of Iowa held their
state convention at the Iowa hotel
on the goth, selected delegates to
their national convention and elected
six delegates at large and district
delegates.
They adorted the Omaha platform
l.. H. Weller, of Nashua, father OF
populism in Iowa, was present, ans
j. R. Norman, head of the state com.
nittee came up from Abba to attend
1t.
The delegates and alternates to the
national convention were elected with
out opposition. The national conven.
ton will meet in st. Louis April 2
II Is said that II is possible that Mr..
Weller will be nominated for presi.
dent. He was suggested for vice
president at the last national conven-
ton of the party.
Mere Girls Teaching.
State Superintendent Riggs has
compiled some very interesting salts
tics relative to those who took ex.
aminations in January. There were
2,299 applicants for teachers certif-
Gates in these examinations. OF this
number, 1914 had not yet reached 1S
years OF age. Under the law those
who are Is may receive certificates,
but the board of educational exam.
liners has held that those whose next
birthday will make them Is, providing
1t falls before July /, 1908, are per.
mitted to take the examination.
Another Knock for Saloons.
Saloons carnct legally sell liquor on
school election dayE. That is the deci-
sion of the supreme court The court
holds that the prohibition in the