Omaha daily bee., 1911-08-06
Iowa
DES MONIES is AT STGNDOTILL
Only 129 Increase in School Popula-
ton During Five Years.
CENSUS FIGURES TELL THE STORY
Governor Carroll soon TO Return from
Trip to Illinois, where He Went
to Learn of Prison Method
Leprosy Near Iowa.
fFrom a staff Correspondent


DIES MONIES, Ia. Aug. 5.--(Special Tele-
gram. )-There are 24,272 children in Des
Moines of school age. according to the an
nual school census report. OF this number
II 1888 are boys and ,3s9 are girls In
comparing the two census statements this
morning It was discovered by J. C. Byram,
school truant officer, that there are lls
more boys of school age in Des Moines
today than on the same date last year.
To offset this increase in number of boys
there has been decrease in number of
births of girls OF fifty-six, making a gain
in births for the boys of 49, More chill
dren were born in Des Moines within the
last five years than we're brought to the
city by new residents. Despite all that
has been said about new residents coming
to Des Moines, there has not been more
than 12s increase TO the school population
within the last five years.
LeprOsy Near Iowa.
Discovery Of a genuine case of leprosy
in Minnesota near the Iowa line has
caused some alarm in the vicinity of
Northwood, but the state health authorities
believe there is no danger of a spread of
the malady. The case is that of a woman.
She has two children and an effort is being
made to find some way to care for them
and prevent them having the same malady.
Carroll Looks Into Prisons.
Governor Carroll is expected home to-
morrow from a short trip into Illinois
and elsewhere to look into prison methods.
He will take up the various charges made
against the management Of the Fort Madi-
son prison and probably cause an investi-
cation to be made. One life prisoner at
Fort Madison is strong in denunciation
of the warden and of the system main
tanned by the state and political leaders
are making much of the accusation.
Counties Fail to Report.
Three counties have thus far failed to
report as to the number Of townships they
have. and the state treasurer is unable as
yet to distribute the automobile tax money
for road purposes. Until a complete list
of all the townships is received none Of
the money will be sent out The treasurer
has Sill 200 to distribute.
VIII Make Exhibit of Game.
State Game Warden Lincoln is in the
city making arrangements for a game ex-
hibit the state fair this month. Last
year the game department brought 10000
birds to the fair and distributed many of
them to the farmers who thereby became
interested in the propagation of game
DHuS. IL Is proposed year 10 nave
the fish exhibit the most important.
Rights of Auto Owners.
| A question that will be taken to the
courts at once from a western Iowa town
relates to the duty Of owners Of auto
mobiles to have lights on them after dark.
! Two men were arrested for leaving their
motors standing on a side street at night
without lights. 1t is contended that the
town exceeded its authority In passing an
ordinance OF this kind and that 1t cannot
be required that lights be kept on vehicles
standing.
| Conference on Express Rates.
Attorney General Cosson and Commerce
| Counsel Henderson of the railroad COM
mission are in st. Louis today attending
the conference of western attorneys gen.
eral in regard to the express rate cases
that are to be taken to the supreme court
of the United States. While Iowa did not
intervene in any Of the cases from other
states, 1t is believed that the decision in
the first case will have a bearing on the
Iowa case, hence the attorney general de-
sires to have a hand in preparing the
cases.
Iowa Officers Body Found.
A telegram was received by Adjutant
General Logan today from w. w. Merritt
of Red Oak stating he had received word
from the Navy department that In the in
vestigation of the wreck of the battleship
Maine, the Investigators had found and
identified the body OF Lieutenant D. w.
Merritt, his son. Lieutenant Merritt was
the only officer who went down with the
Maine. 1t is probable that If 1t is possible
the body will be brought to Red Oak for
burial
| Getting Ready for Session.
Henry Wallace, publisher OF the Wallace
Farmer, and president of the National Con-
servation congress, accompanied by Thomas
r. Ship OF Washington. d. c.. secretary
of the National Conservation congress, left
for Kansas City tonight, where arrange
ments will be completed for the meeting
of the congress, which win be held there
September rs. rs and q.
Already word has been received from
many prominent men saying they will be
present. among them being Secretary Fisher
of the Interior department, Clifford Pinchot.
former chief of the bureau OF forestry, and
James H. Garfield, former secretary of
the Interior department President Taft
is expected to attend.
|