Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1909-01-15
A Merchant Marine.

In my judgment our nation needs to
De thoroughly aroused to the necessity TOT
While we have been making crest and
rapid progress In almost every line or
branch Of trade, industry or business en-.
terprize, we have signally failed as 20 a
exist why this nation has not been able
to compete with other nations in the mat.
ter Of shipping upon the high seas !,
am not arguing for ship subsidies
hope some other solution to the question
can be found. The necessity for the
establishment Of this great enterprise Is
all that ! am considering.
Domestic Commerce.
I want to commend the action OF the
commercial clubs, not only Of our eapital
city, but of other cities of the state, IN
their efforts to learn the facts as to
Determinations and to remove any exist
Ing disadvantages to our people. ! trust
that you. as members of the General AS
sembly. will interest yourselves IN these
ton needed to protect our interests along
the lines above suggested, such legislation
should be promptly enacted.
Public Utilities Commission.
The question Of the establishment OF
a commission to regulate and control the
pub'S utilities of the state has been dis
cussed to greater or less extent by some
OF our people and Is, In my judgment,
S.b!N>t "NAsAAJ " JSuA SuASAN' ~~S
eratSn.
This whole subject is one far reaching
In its effect and Of great Importance 70
all of our people In my Judgment its
consideration cannot and should not be
Ing deferred. l believe that 1t Is entitled
now to yehr most thoughtful considera-
ton.
A Revenue Commission.
1t is proposed that a commission be ap.
pointed for the purpose OF making a study
of the question of revenues and taxation.
which comsnission shall report to the next s,;
session Of the General Assembly Dill
embodying a proposed new law upon the
question Of taxation. Our past experience
with such commission has not been very
such commissions having been rejected
by the legislature. but the magnitude ma
Importance Of an attempted revision OF the
it could not. with satisfaction. be accom-
legislature unless the preparation Of the
bill Is made during recess.
Revision Of School Laws.
The Thirty second General Assembly
created a commission to consider and re-
port to this session of the legislature,
proposed revision of the entire school laws
of the state The work has been done and
the report Is now before you for consider
alton.
1t has not been my privilege to study
the proposed law sufficiently to feel war.
ranted in passing criticism upon 1t, but
I feel that the Importance Of the work
cannot be Overestimated.
The Auditors Office.
Having recently retired from the office
of Auditor of State. trnst that you viii
not deem 1t improper If make few OBJ
servations as to the affairs of that office.
1t Is generally recognized. not only by our
own people. but by all those. who are ac-
n{vrtn xxyff ypst~ tvSfn ctc vpnv
supervised by the Auditor, as being one Of
the very important offices Of the state. l
know from experience, that the enormous
amount Of work connected with the yari
sible for anyone to famiiarize himself win
all the details of the office and with the
law with reference thereto. SO as to know
properly managed and supervised.
can say to you with assurance that
know whereof l speak, that neither time
for. any man to personally supervise the
auditing department.. the revenue depart
ment. the insurance department, the bank.
ing department, the municipal accounting
department and to serve MS member OF
the Executive Council with the enormous
amount of business now connected with
of. Of the Of the
of each and all OF them. say 1t is i'm
possible for any man to do all OF the
above without great Injustice to himself
now care to pursue this discussion to the
extent Of suggesting how relief should be
given to this Of gu.
as to the necessity for some action to be
taken with reference thereto. "
Fees and Ped Diem.
have for long time believed tina: In
so far as 1t becomes possible the per
diem and fee systems or compensation
should be abolished. The more observe
become convinced that they are wrong.
believe that In almost every instance
where the per. diem system now prevails
the scope Of the work t. be performed Is
therefor and that in all such cases q
fixed salary should be provided.
Documents and Printing.
| In my Judgment, your committee on
printing should look carefully into the
question of the number Of renorts and
| documents that are now provided for IN
order to determine whether or not an un.
| Is not now printed. also, to see II the de
mand for some kinds Of reports and dncu
ments may not have increased SO as t.
| be supplied. ILL.,
Law Enforcement.
Laws ought to be enforced, they should
| be strictly enforced. If perchance they be
! too drastic, let them be amended, but let
| them at all times be obeyed Laxness In
| law enforcement leads to disregard fot
| the law itself and to disrespect FOL anr
distrust OF public officials. In the main,
| believe the ,eople will be given just sucr
| official service as they demand.
1t is perhaps true that the LIQUOR laws
! Of the state are more difficult OF enf0rc"
4 nent than most other statutes, but in nv
! opinion 1t is due rather to local infnenc Is
| than to a weakness Of the Inv itself.
| FEARLESS in the performance OF dnty. with
a sheriff or n constable Of like character
| will find little ditficultv In commanding
| respect, not only for the liquor statutes
| Int for all laws of the state.