Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-01-12

interfering with the interests of so
ciety as whole. But believe that
the law should be amended so that
the machinery for the enforcement of
the regulations surrounding the sa-
looms and the liquor traffic will be
strengthened and be made effective In
every community of the state. The
governor, and through him the attor-
ney general, should have the unques-
toned power to fulfill the require,
ments of the constitution as to the
enforcement of the laws. | feel sure.
that this would eliminate many of the
abuses which have prevailed in the.
past.
l desire to place especial emphasis
upon the admirable and instructive re-.
port which has been made by the at
torney general with reference to the
legal department of the state. II you
will read this report, as you must, you
will be led to the conclusion that this
department ought to be expanded and
strengthened and that by so doing Its
usefulness will be enhanced many
fold. The attorney general recon-
mends that it be made possible for
the governor to take care that the
laws are faithfully executed" by giving
him the power, upon proper complaint,
to remove peace officers, mayors, and
prosecuting attorneys. This may seem
like radical step, but it Is proposed
as a measure to eliminate evils that
are destructive to our whole social sys-
TEN. He suggests reorganization OF
the attorney generals department
along the lines Of the department Of
Justice in the national government and
he gives reasons for this change which
are worthy of your consideration.
Railroad Commission and Transpor.
tation.
Iowa was one of the first states to
clothe its railroad commission with
power for the settlement Of all con-
troversies relating to commerce with
in the state transportation lines. The
right of the state to supervise and
regulate these matters has long been
accepted as final and right. but there
Is insistence that with regard to
rates, classification, assessment, taxa
ton, Determinations and details Of
the service, there must be absolute
fairness to all interests. The trans
portation problem, in it's various state
and interstate phases, is the greatest
single problem confronting our PEG,
pie, and we should leave nothing I'M
done that will further its early and
satisfactory solution.
The state railroad commission has
authority only within the state and
over railroads and express lines, but
there has been such changes in the
business world and so great devel-
opment of conflicting interests. that
a reasonable expansion Of its powers
seems to be necessary. The commits
sion should have authority over the
telegraph and telephone lines as much
as over other common carriers. The
commission should also have some
measure Of authority over the public
utilities of the state such as street
car lines, waterworks, gas and cleo
trio plants; but care must be exer-
cised SO that there is left with the
municipalities sufficient power for the
proper police regulation Of these pri-
vate enterprises. Matters purely local
must be left to the local communities.
To enhance the efficiency of the rail.
road commission the salaries Of mem
bers should be increased to not less
than $500 a year and they be re-
quired to devote their entire time to
the work Instead Of being elective.
these Offices should be appointive.
Highway and Conservation Commits
sion.
The crying need of our times ap-
pears to be betterment of the social
conditions upon the farm. Agricul-
ture is and ever will be the backbone
of our prosperity, and agricultural con.
ditions are dependent to large de-
gree upon the social conditions in the
rural communities. 1t needs no argu-
ment to show that these will be great
ly improved by the construction Of
good roads.
would, therefore, recommend the
reorganization of our state highway
commission and. making it commits
sion to deal more broadly with high
way construction, waterways, forestry,
and the conservation of all our nat
ural resources. believe that this
commission should consist Of five per-
sons, including at least one skilled
engineer and two recognized experts
in agricultural affairs; the commits
sioners should be paid per diem Of
$40 not to exceed thirty days each
year; there should be secretary Of
the commission devoting his entire
time to the work, and Offices should
be maintained in the state capitol.
This highway and conservation COM
mission should be empowered to in
vestigate, plan for, and direct matters
relating to the building of permanent
highways. drainage, the development
of rivers, the establishment of canals,
water power, forestry, the disposition
of noxious weeds and similar related
subjects.
Construction Of Good Roads.
The people OF Iowa annually spend
about 100000 in road building. 1t
needs no argument to convince our
people that this money could be ex
pended to better advantage than it is
at present. The state should enter
upon policy of general aid to the
local authorities in the construction