Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1910-12-23
WARS ON COAL MEN
Des Moines Members Buy Steam Pro-
Queer from 0skaloosa Mines.
PASS UP THOSE In CITY LIMITS
Convinced Dealers Are IN Combine
and Make Mia saving by Con-
tracing Outside-Want
WoOdmen Inquiry.

lbs MOlNES, Ia. Dec. l2.-tSpeCtal Tel
egram)-In order TO effect a break in the
prices Of coal in Des Molnes the school
board today closed a contract for secur-
ing coal from Oskaloosa mines rather than
those within the city limits. The board
estimates the saving by the purchase of
coal from the outside 10 be about $1,000
1t has long been the impression that the
coal companies. here are in a combine as
to prices and that they are not making
as good rates at home as elsewhere. Prices
were secured for coal from other states
but none proved satisfactory.
Modern Woodmen Inquiry.
John u. Denison, jr Of Dubuque today
filed with the state insurance department
charges Of graft and corruption against
the head officials of-the Modern woodmen
Of America and demanded an investga-
ton by the state Insurance department of
the financial affairs Of the lodge.
The charges filed with the Iowa depart
ment are similar In character to those
filed with the Illinois department and with
the Michigan department. These relate to
accusations against persons with reference
to overcharges and also against the Off
GERS for having accepted the bond Of
bank at Charlton with forged names
thereon, causing heavy loss. A legislative
investigation is threatened.
Senators ON the Way Home.
Considerable activity in political circles is
expected in Iowa within a few days be-
cause OF the fact that both OF the sena-
tors and some of the members of congress
are on the way home and all are expected
back in Iowa by the close Of the week.
Senator Young will arrive first and have
conference with his committee In charge
of his campaign for election by the leglsa-
ture. This committee has been very active
In his absence and members report much
encouragement from among members of
the legislature who have been interviewed.
They claim that they have many pledges
from members and that II is pretty certain
that the legislative caucus will choose
Young for the place. There are rumors
that Congressman Pickett expects to enter
the race for the senate, but he is probably
the only member OF congress who will
take any very active part i'm the matter.
Iowa Has Three Candidates.
II appears that Iowa now has three can
didates for the place on the United
States circuit bench vacated by Judge
Vandevanter of Wyomlng-Judge Smith
Mcpherson, Judge Emlin McClain and Con-
gresham Walter l. Smith. 1t is generally
believed that Judge Mcpherson has the
best chance of selection for the place be-
cause of his long service on the federal
district bench and his high standing with
those who are In position to advise as to
what is best to be done, The friends of
Judge Smith are not pressing his case
very hard as they would prefer to have
him remain In the house as a leader
Com missions 10 he Filled.
Governor b. f, Carroll viii make appoint
ments early in the session of several mem
bers of board and commissions, which must
be passed on by the state senate The
first Of these Is a member OF the pardon
board to succeed Dr. Howe, the present
chairman who may be reappointed. Three
members OF the Board OF Education are
nearing the expiration Of their terms
ThemRs d. Foster. A. B, Funk and George
T Baker. All three members of the
Board of Control must pass before the
state senate at this time, The term of
Chairman G. S. Robinson will expire next,
but both Senator Wade and DR.. Bannister
arc filling unexpired terms and neither one
has been passed on by the legislature. The
office of custodian must also meet the
approval of the state senate c. w. Bou
ton is now the custodian of the capitol and
grounds.
Want Use of the Laboratory.
The State Pharmacy commission will ask
the Legislature for a change in the law re-
garding the laboratory, which Is now main
tanned by the state for the use of the pure
food and dairy department. They desire
that this laboratory shall be made avail
able for the use of other departments, es-
pecially the pharmacy department, in the
matter of the examination and analysis of
drugs. At present no effort is made to
prosecute druggists for failure to follow
the law,
Wanted for Larceny.
Governor Carroll issued a requisltion to-
day for the return to Buchanan county
from Clinton. ILL.,. of W. II. Wilson, who
is under indictment at Independence for
larceny, in that he is alleged to have sold
sixty-seven head of steers that were under
unrfgaRa IN q ST PauI firm