Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-12-21
Has More Factories in Opera
tion Than Any Other State
in Union
ALSO LEADS IN DRAINAGE
Work Has Only Commenced in Making
'TiIIable Wet Counties of State
Legislature to WrestIe With Rural
School Problem-smoke Nuisance
Law Probable.
Special to Times Republican.


Special to Times Republican.
Des Moines. Dec. 21.--There arc
more drain tile factories in operation
in Iowa than in any other state and
more steam dredges are in operation
right now in Iowa than in any other
state. More progress is being made in
the drainage of Iowa land than any
place else in the world. This is the de-
claration of the agricultural depart
ment at Washington. In fact Iowa has
just amended its constitution so as to
definitely give to the state authority to
provide for general system of drain
age. That which has thus far been done
has been under laws which are of
questionable legality. In fact some OF
the laws which were passed were held
to be unconstitutional and only by
general agreement has the present ex-
tensive system of drainage been estab-
lished Now the constitution has been
changed and drainage laws will no
longer be subject to attack in the
counts.
In the meantime Iowa has been doing
a wonderful work in drainage, but the
end is not yet There is on foot q sys-
tematic movement to hold meetings In
the districts needing drainage to
arouse greater sentiment in the matter
and to provide for additional drainage.
The department of agriculture at
Washington has given encouragement
to this and Is prepared to continue in
the good work. Secretary Wilson is
known to take great pride in what Iowa
has done and has promised to do
more.
1t is probable that during the win
Ter there will be held at some point
In northern or northwestern Iowa a
drainage convention to consider plans
for further work. While some counties
have made wonderful progress there
are others where very little has been
done. It is planned to reach all these.
The development Of the agricultural
interests of the state demand that the
work be done in every county where
there are swamp lands.
AS an argument in favor Of the es-
tablishment of agricultural schools
thruout the state it will be pointed out
to the coming general assembly that
the state agricultural college at Ames
cannot supply the demand for its
graduates to fill professorships.
So great has become the demand for
technical teachers in agricultural and
fo ho + ,,o r1x ho1 nf fho n
yates of the state college had to leave
to take positions Offered them and
could not take time to come back for
the exercises to get their degrees. The
Importance of technical farm educa-
tion is said to be sweeping over the
entire country. There is a great de-
mand for men competent to teach. In
other states the teaching of agricul-
ture in high schools and country
schools is being taken up. The one
difficulty is to secure teachers to sup
ply these places in demand. With agri-
culture taught thruout the state, it is
urged, many young men and women
would appreciate the vast field that is
opening up and would enter the work
at Ames and prepare for teaching.
There is now a greater demand for in
structors than the agricultural colleges
can turn out.
The members Of the assembly will
on this ground be urged to support all
the bills presented for the extension Of
agricultural and technical farm educa-
ton.
1t is extremely likely that the COM
ing assembly will enact a smoke nui-
sance law applying to cities Of certain
classes. The last legislature enacted
such a law. Some Of the cities coming
within its provisions objected. Des
Moines wanted a law. Governor Cum
Minis accordingly said he would with
hold his signature from the law If the
city of Des Moines would pass an anti
smoke ordinance. The council did so
and the governor let the law die for
want of his signature. Then the joker
was discovered. In the ordinance
passed by the old city council pro-
hibiting smoke nuisances there was no
provision for a penalty for violation
Des Moines citizens will work for a
new law.
Technical teachers from all the prin-
cipal agricultural schools in America
will probably gather at Ames next
year for an annual conference and
school of instruction. The invitation
to the association Of technical edu-
Gators has been extended by the state
Of Iowa to come to A1nes. 1t is I'M
derstood the invitation was wanted
and that the big meeting will be held
here Last year the meeting was held
at Colombia university and the year
before at the University of Illinois. At
this gathering Of instructors will be
some of the best speakers and educat-
ors in the world. 1t will be quite the
largest meeting in an educational way
Iowa has ever had.
It is understood that 1t IS extremely
likely that Lieutenant Governor Clarke.