Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-19
FEELY IS HARD At WORK
Speaker Of Iowa Assembly is Solving
Committee Problem.
GARsT LIQUOR LAW OPPOSED
Some saloon Men and some PrOhibi-
iOnists May Fight Governors Plan
20 Regulate frame, hut Con-
servatives VIII support IL.
CFrom a staff Correspondent

From a staff Correspondent
DIES MONIES, Jan. 1S.-(Special)-
Speaker Feely Of the Iowa house remained
in the city over Sunday hard at work In
the preparation Of his committee lists, which
he expects to announce on Tuesday morn
ing The new speaker came into his office
practically without any set program on
the committees and not having had oppor-
tunity to consider the question.
He is therefore all the better fitted to make
a fair distribution of the work among the
members. But there are many new MEM
bers of the house and there will be prac-
tically a complete reorganization of com
mittees. The chairmen of last sessions
committees on appropriations, ways and
means, insurance, banks, agriculture,
schools, mines, labor, highways and other
big committees are all retired. The chief
plum is that of chairman of the judiciary
committee. This will go to either Lee.
Sullivan or Hacker, A great deal of in
terest also attaches to the committees on
insurance, agriculture and schools, because
Of the Importance OF measures that will
come before them. The insurance depart
ment is to be urged strongly, though 1t is
known that now the assurances interests
do not want an Independent department.,
though two years ago they were very keen
for 1t. The difference is caused by the
change in officials having to deal with in
surance matters. The important school
legislation pending will keep the members
busy who are interested in this subject.
President Clarke of the senate went home
after announcing his committees.
Tax Law to BE Revised.
THE We and mean committees will DrOD-
ably have more to do this year than be-
fore, because Of the important taxation
measures which are to come before that
body. One of these is in relation to the
taxation of mortgages. 1t is proposed in
the message of the governor, which was
asked by the State Tax Reform association
and large commercial bodies, that mort
cages be required to pay a fee on record
ing in lieu Of other taxes. The bill Will
provide that the owner of the mortgage
on filing the same, shall pay the filing rec
of one-half of l per cent and with THIS
make a sworn statement that the fee has
been paid by him and no part of IT Is
paid directly or indirectly by the mortgagor'
and when this is done the mortgage is not
taxable. The bills to raise funds by a cor
p~oration tax and by a direct Inheritance tax
will also come before the ways and means
committees.
As to saloon Regulation.
Some Of the liquor men of the state Will
oppose the Garst plan for better regulation
of the saloons and to raise a road FUND
from saloon license, and some of the pro-
kibitionists will also oppose the plan siren
uously; but both of these interests are said
to be much divided and 1t is very probable
that the plan will go through the iegisla-
. 4 - gn Ga1
no surprise to those familiar with Gov
ernor Carts views on the regulation of the
liquor traffic. He has never been a pro-
hlbitionist, but he has never had any af-
f~iliation in any way with the liquor ele-
ments and he has been a strong advocate
of high license and the best possible regu-
lation Of the traffic. His recommendation
that the federal license or mulct or what
ever 1t is called, be applied only where
local laws permit the lawful sale of liquor,
Is a repetition of his utterances over a
year ago in an address which attracted
much attention, With regard to the state
saloon license being fixed at a higher rate
than now, this is with a view to lettering
conditions.
Parker FavOrs Gnrst Plan.
One of the most conspicuous of those
who have been closely Identified with the
liquor interests is the veteran Ben Parker.
who used to have thirty saloons in Des
Moines.
'"The state ought to get something out
of the liquor traffic" he said. The Garst
plan is what l have advocated. When the
state takes a hand then the business will
be conducted along better lines and there
will be regulation that amounts to some
thing. II will be much better for the liquor
/ interests. for It will get rid Of the groggerles,
I where all the trouble starts. AS for the
temperance element. they ought to take to il
> kindly, for 1t is a much better plan than
the Rankin marshal scheme. and it will
I give the state a fine fund for use in build
ing highways. But l suppose that the plan
e will be opposed by some saloon men and
by some prohibitionists. for there are two
j classes OF the biggest fools In the state.
They are always fighting among them
4 selves and accomplishing nothing. But,
mark my word, the day is not far distant
Z when some plan like that which the gov
crnor has recommended in his message
will be adopted, and 1t will be better for
everybody"
Several strong temperance workers In
Des Moines have commended the plan and
say that it Is the most sensible propose.
that has been made for years with regard
to the saloon problem of the state.
\ Quotations Reform Assured.
Almost Immediately after the reconvenine
of the general assembly next week Senator
Whipple of Benton comfy will Introduce
the bill to create a state board OF regents
and to place the three state colleges unde
: its management. In the last two session
this proposal has been debated at length
The opposition has thus far been able
defeat the measure at all times. But eac.
IS session the sentiment In favor Of a plat
We business management of the colleges a
Or well as other institutions of the stat
st grows stronger, and there is really yer
RS great probability that the measure will &
rd through the present session.
lg The bill as It was prepared by a legis
ly lative commission two sessions ago, afte
/ thorough investigation, provided for a Jars
he board OF regents, to have full and undi.
en- puted authority over the State universlt!
ms the State Agricultural college and the Stat
a Normal school. This board is to have a
office at the state capitol and should en-
We ploy a secretary on salary. The generi
Nv plan of organization was that of the Stat