Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1909-04-22
WEAKENS WAR ON PLAGUE
STATE BOARD CALLS NEW STA.
TUTE BACKWARD STEP.
Such Is Conclusion Of Board Mem
bers After Reviewing Statute
Recently Enacted.

HcCcHtIy EHdCtcu.
Iowa's crusade against the white
plague has been seriously crippled and
robbed of its most effective weapon
compulsory disinfection. At least
this is the declaration of members Of
the state board of health, who at their
April meeting discovered that CON
sumption had been omitted from the
list OF contagious diseases specified
In the new quarantine law.
Under this law the state board loses
the power to compel attending ply
sicians or health officers to disinfect
houses or lodgings occupied by con-
sumptives. Instead of following out
the suggestions of the department Of
tuberculosis of the state board of
control and passing a bill requiring
disinfection by the owner of quarters
occupied by consumptive, the legis-
lature has taken what members of the
board of health declare is serious
backward step.
The quarantine law repealed by the
Thirty-third general assembly gave
the state board power to make rules
and regulations regarding quarantine
and djsinfection for all contagious dis
eases, leaving it to the board to de-
termine which diseases are contagi-
Gus. Because of complaint in sew
eral counties that quarantine and dis
Infection were required for measles
and other minor ailments, at needless
expense, the new bill specified what
should be considered contagious dis
eases, naming a list of ailments in
which tuberculosis is not included.
Check Kept on Officials.
The most rigid system of checking
ever known in Iowa has been inaug-
urated at the state house. Any state
officer, member of commission or any
one on the state payroll in any way
will find it impossible to get away
with either per diem, expenses or
single dollar to which he is entitled,
and disclosures which have recently
caused sensational exposure of
methods in one or two of the state
departments have been absolutely ter
minated. The new system, as J ro-
vided by the recent legislature, forces
the filing Of duplicate vouchers for
every cent demanded with the audi
tor of state. Duplicate bills must be
filed with the executive council
through its secretary. The executive
council is then authorized to employ
a competent clerk whose duty it shall
be to check UP the certified vouchers,
the dupncate bills aud all items of
expense.
Must Compile Report.
Every two years on the September
prior to the converting of the legisla-
ture, the executive council must COM
pile complete report showing all
expenditures, amounts paid out for
every possible expense, printing, sup
plies, fees, per diem, etc, which will
be ready for the legislators when the
assembly convenes.
Affects Cigarette Smokers.
1T shall be unlawful" says the
Proudfoot act, "for any person under
81 years of age to smoke or use
cigarette or cigarettes on the premis-
es of another or on any public road,
street alley or park or other land
used for public purposes. or IN any
place of business or amusement, ex-
"ept when in company of his parent
or guardian" Under the new law
boys under 81 years of age may be
arrested for smoking cigarettes in al
most any place except their own
homes, unless accompanied By their
guardians or parents. The bill was
introduced by Senator Proudfoot by
request, and the Iowa Anti-Salcm
league intends to see it enforced.
Must Appoint Commission.
1t is now up to Governor B. f. Car
roll to name seven men who shall
compose the Iowa state drainage, wa
terways and conservation commiss-
ion. The law providing for the estab-
lishment of this commission went into
effect upon publication. The law sug-
gests that the members of this COM
mission shall come from the state in
situations, and that one shall be an
expert geologist, another surveyor.
another drainage expert, etc. The
law does not make the appointment
of such men compulsory, but it is ex-
Dpcted that GOyernOr Carroll will re-