Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1909-01-14

and agricultural conditions are dependent
70 large degree upon the social condi-
tons In the rural communities. II needs
no argument to show that these will be
greatly improved by the construction OF
good roads.
would. therefore, recommend the re-
organization OF our state highway COM
mission and making 1t commission to
deal more broadly with highway. con-
6truction. waterways. forestry and the
conservation of al our natural resources.
4 believe that this commission should
consist OF five persons, including at least
one skilled engineer and two recognized
experts IN agricultural affairs; the COM
missioners should be paid a per diem OF
$40 not to exceed sixty days each year.
there should be secretary of the COM
mission devotng his entire time 10 the
work, and offices should be maintained
In the state capitol.
This commission should be directed to
make at once a complete investigation OF
our rivers and waterways and be author
ICED 70 secure expert testimony as 10 the
possibility of the development of canals
and waterways within the state; the COM
mission should also determine and report
upon the availability of our. rivers for
water power and the development or
electricity where such rivers cannot be
used for transportation purposes, The
movement on the part or the federal gov
eminent to develop our national water
ways means that In very short time we
must decide in Iowa whether or not our
streams shall be used for transportation
or be preserved for their water power.
This commission should furnish to the
action would not be delayed. The com
mission should in general have direction
of all matters pertaining to the conserva-
ton OF our natural resources.
Construction OF Good Roads.
The people OF Iowa annually spend
about 81, 600. 900 In road building. II needs
no argument to convince our people that
thiS rpmlH he aNnandat TO better
advantage than 1t IL at present, The
state should enter upon a policy or gem
eral aid to the local authorities In the
construction of permanent highways and
would recommend an appropriation
equal to 30 cents per capita OF the popu-
latton distributed among the counties OH
this basis and this should all come from
the state saloon tax as provided for in
a suggestion made elsewhere. According
TO the census of 1906 this would make
available for highway construction $685.
0l5. This money should be used In the
CONSTRUCTION OF permanent highways
upon the basis OF the state paying As per
cent Of the cost. the county paying 40
per cent. and the township. 10 per cent;
Under certain conditions the board OF
supervisors might direct that the county
pay IS per cent, leaving the township free
OF special obligation where 1t was not
directly benefited.
II has been suggested. and I believe
with propriety, that If we are to enter
upon this policy of state aid In the con-
struction of permanent highways the local
road levies might be changed. ! would
recommend that authority be given the
counties to levy tax of two mills and
the townships three mills.
Department OF Agriculture.
The general scope OF usefulness OF the
department OF agriculture has been so
broadened that II Is now regarded as one
Of the most valuable departments OF the
state. It's continued usefulness will de-
pend upon the support IL receives. The
department should be encouraged to come
into the most intimate relationship with
the people of the state and to become
the avenue through which Is collected all
Information regarding agricultural re-
sources and dissemination OF such infor-
nation where II will be most valuable.
The value of the state far, nS great
summer school of agriculture and In
dustry, cannot be oyerestimated. The
substantial increase In equipment for the
state fair Is appreciated by the people,
and attendance Is steadily increasing. II
seems to me we must continue, at least
for q time, the policy OF building per
manent structures for the state fair. |
would recommend an appropriation for
fireproof amphitheater to avoid the
constant danger because OF the present
structure. 1t Is unwise to invite our
people to be our guests at the state tail
and expose them to unnecessary risk.
Board of Control.
The report OF the board OF control has
been printed and Is before you. for con-
sideration. feel that beyond calling your
special attention to this report need say
but little. The people of Iowa are TO be
congratulated upon the fact that this
board has maintained the high standard
which marked the inauguration of such
great reform, and its management OF
the various state institutions has been
such as to satisfy the people. At the In
there arc now cared for more than $500
persons and more than 300 employees are
under the direction Of the board. BY
reason OF the careful management and
thorough business methods which this
board employs. the cost of maintenance
of these institutions has been materially
decreased, despite the enormous increase
In the cost of all supplies. The purchase
or farms has been considerable factor
In keeping down the expense OF main
tenanco: at the same time there has been
no doubt that our state wards are better
cared for than ever before, and II Is
doubtful IL there Is state in the union
where the management OF the institutions
is so entirely free from all political or
local or selfish influence.
The board recommends the purchase
Of land for the establishment of an
epileptic colony. ] am not sufficiently
familiar with the facts to enable me to
that the board recommends It indicates
that there Is merit In the proposltion.
The board also recommends additional
buildings for the tuberculosis hospital
gnu titlS - TIE lltWtSL u our IIlSlilu~
tons OF course additions will be nee
essary from time to time.
Among other notable recommendations
Of the board which deserve your atten-
ton is that of the repeal OF the law un~
der which pension money is withheld
from residents Of the soldiers home for
ATTRACTION OF the rules. as this Is In con-
aet Win the federal statutes; also that
made wards of the state: also that there
be a minimum allowance for support at
the school for the deaf and at the col
lege for the blind; also that no child UNI
der 10 years be committed to either OF
the industrial schools. and also some
simplifying of the laws regarding nay
ment OF certain claims at the hospital
for inebriates.
Prevention Of Tuberculosis.
fnasmuch as the public health is one
Of the largest assets of tile state, meas-
tires which directly or indirectly benefit
the health OF our citizens should receive
serious consideration. Our state recog-
nizes the preventable nature OF tubercu-
losis and that this terrible scourge Is
amenable to intelligent repressive meas
ures. Not only have we an Institution
especially provided for those who arc
unable to properly care for themselves,
educating the people directly as to their
dangers and duty. and pointing out 10
them what they can do to lessen the
harm which comes from this cause. When
we remember that more than 1000 lives
are sacrificed annually 10 the white
plague. and about 80 per cent OF these
Victims die between the ages of IL and
As years, and when II IL known that
every one dying spreads tho infection.
1t Is not hard to compute the financial
,oss to- our state. An educational cam
paign extended generally throughout the
state has brought much 'enlightcnment
TO our citizens and bids fair to aid great
lv In exterminating the white plague.
This work under the board OF control
has been efficiently conducted. and II
would be wise 20 continue II with more
ample funds. IL necessary.
Primary Election Lew Amendment.
hope and believe the primary election
law Is indelibly upon the statute books,
for In my Judgment IL ia the only sys-
tern OF making party nominations that