Omaha daily bee., 1910-12-25
Nebraska
MULLEN ASKS FOR MORE HELP
Attorney General Says Assistant Is
Needed in His Office.
WANTED FOR RAILROAD CASES
Increased salaries for Assistants in
Attorney Generals OFFICE De-Ir-
sbIe-Condition Of Uni-
versity Finances.

Prom staff Correspondent
LINCOLN. Dec. H-tSpecisl. Attorney
General Mullen who has held his position
for two months by appointment has signed
the biennial report from the attorney gem
erals department which has just been
filed Ssh Governor shauenberger.
Mr. Mullen recommends the creation u
a new resistant in the attorney generals
,ff,~. 'r.. WHO'S, duty tt shall ne . ,.ok
after litigation arisins from the workings
81 the railway commission. The report
does not irtir'uic that Mr.. Mullen would
like 70 hH is position after he soc ont
n office II asks the governor 70 recon-
mend the new position for the purpose n
assisting in the trial Of the railroad ntiga-
ton now pending and TO attend TO litliga-
ton that grows out Of and is connected
with the workings OF the railway con,-
mission. He also asks for increased sal
aries for the present assistants m the at
torney generals office. but says he does
not ask for an Increase for the attoi. ey
general because that can be done only by
= constitutional amendment He says thai
II the attorney general conscienuousy at
tends TO his duties as a member % nine
or ten state boards practically al OF his
time will be occupied he thinks g. be-
meath the dignity Of the state TO pay such
small salaries 10 those who look after its
legal Interests.
Anti-Trust Amendment.
Mr. Mullen asks that the antitrust laws
be amended because he thinks many OF
tive provisions are weak and ineffective 4,
Among the changes he suggests II one,
q provision giving the attorney general the
digit 20 examine and procure testimony
% witnesses before commencing any pro
eeedinE against any pool. trust conspiracy
or combination IN restraint OF trade to
ascertain whether or not an action should
be brought.
In addition to this preliminary hearing.
With the attorney general as pudge and
Jury he asks for a provision requiring
agents officers and employees OF corpora
siOns TO testify and produce books and
records Of the corporations when requested
by the attorney general. and that upon
failure 70 comply with such request the
court would have authority, upon motion
Of the attorney general, to strike out the
answer, motion. reply. demurrer or other
pleading and enter a Judgment by default
against said corporation.
The attorney general asks that section
II. article H. chapter ola. compiled stat
utea for 1pos. be amended 90 as to elm
mate the present provision requiring two
convictions OF corporations, joint stock
companies and other associations under
the antitrust law before forfeiture Of
their charters can be declared.
knocks sackett Law.
Mr.. Mullen knocks some on the Sackett
law. a law for the removal in court after
. tr4aI Of officers who are found guilty Of
wiifuuy failing and refusing to enforce
any law which It IL their duty to enforce
The governor can only direct prosecutions
ia court The attorney general says the
DELAYS incident 10 the trial Of cases de-
feat the purpose and object OF the law
Provision should be made for speedy
hearing and with power TO make a prompt
ana effective order. The attorney general
throws IN this suggestion: IT II II thought
wise 20 invest the governor with power
over derelfct public officials, then thar
power should be given him IN such way
that he can make his orders effective
Mr.. Mullen says the legislature should
Appropriate funds for hts office not only
for defending the state. but for prosecu-
lions in which the state may be interested.
or for the enforcement Of lave.
More Money wanted.
The last legislature appropriated $500
for the expense Of the legal department
the appropriation OF $4,000, divided as fol-
lows: Ten thousand dollars to dsfray ex-
pense out Of litigation that may arise from
prosecutions under the antitrust laws;
10000 to defray expenses Of litigation that
grows out OF and Is connected with the
railway commission. $4,000 for the expense
OF other litigation that may arise during
the biennium: Ss0OO for office expenses.
postage. stationery. telegraph. telephone.
office supplies printing briefs. travelling
expenses furniture and some more supplies.
While II IL usually left for departments OF
state to ask for what they want, or for
the governor TO recommend In his mes
cage TO the legislators. Mr.. Mullen goes
outside Of his own department and recon-
mends liberal appropriation for the sup
port OF a legislative reference library. He
says The legislative reference depart
ment OF the state historical society has
been OF much assistance 10 the legislature
and has been invaluable 10 this department
having relieved the department Of the ne
cessity Of answering scores Of Inquiries and
snding much tim in looking NJ ingforma-
ton for IN members % the legislature re-
Earding legislation and the court decisions.
The report shows an uneXpended balance
o. S5aS iD an appropriation 81 N5eo
made by the last legislature for the Usa Of
the attorney general I'm prosecutions. Dur
ing the greater part OF the year T. r. Vet
thing an expert accounan, has been en-
ployed in railroad litigation b. the attorney
general and the salary paid from the prose-
cution fund
Nebraska Vital Statistics.
state Health Inspector ~. n. Wilson has
completed a report vhirr contains vs,u-
able vital statistics covering the last two
years During the year ending December
T. 1909. there were ".El hi-ths and 1885
deaths iu the state. bu-rE the ear end
Ing December l. 1910 the total number o.
births vas --I-1 and there were 1852
deaths The deaths in the state during the
year cndinz December T. 1910. were from
causes as follows. Tuberculosis. tSA.
typhoid feE,r. -i,- meningitis and spinal
disease. IE; dphtheria. g. scarlet fever.
y; smalpoE T. 90 the total number %
births durns the same year t5I-D
IGl2 we're males and l.01l were females