Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1911-03-23
CHASE BILL KILLED.
Put Burden Of Proofof Negligence
on Defendant
MOST IMPORTANT MEASURE
Railway Companies and Corporations
Subject to Suits for Damages
Are as Rule Opposed to
the Measure.

Des MoineS.-By q. vote OF "a to IL
the senate killed the bill by Chase
of Hamilton, putting the burden Of
proof of contributory negligence on
the defendant In all damage cases,
when the plaintiff had established
violation of any state law, or proved
negligence on the part of the defend
ant. The operation of the law, If
passed, as explained by Senator
Chase, was as follows: If man
should be run down by train and
injured and IN prosecuting his suit
for damages, he should establish that
the train was running at an excess
i've rate of speed, or gave no warn
ing of its approach, or proved the
trainmen to be negligent, then it
would be incumbent upon the railway
company to prove that the plaintiff
was negligent. Under the present
law it is up to the plaintiff to show
that he was not guilty of contribu-
tory negligence under such circum-
stances. Railway companies and cor
porations subject to suits for dam
ages, are, as rule, opposed to the
measure, and In the past have been
successful in defeating it.
Money and Credit Tax Bill.
The senate ways and means COM
mittee bill putting a tax on moneys
and credits, comes up as a special
order of business in the senate. The
bill is certain to be the center of .
storm of debate. In addition to put
ting a fat tax OF mills on the dollar
on all moneys and credits, 1t provides
that banking capital shall be taxed
as other property, with no exemptions
for debts. National bankers are un-
derstood to be opposed to this section
Of the bill for the reason that it de-
prives them of exemption privileges
they have enjoyed under the existing
law. The state bankers are said to
be generally in favor of the section.
A claim has been raised, too, that
the levying of fiat tax against capt.
tai stock makes them pay taxes on
the full value of the stock. dollar for
dollar, whereas in assessing land and
other property, the value can be
greatly lowered.
AntI-Rebate Bill.
prohibited in a bill introduced in the
house by the house committee on in
surance. The measure prohibits dis
elimination in fire insurance rates
and provides q penalty of $500 for
violation of the law.
Another bill introduced by the COM
mittee provides for the appointment
of two insurance commissioners by
the auditor of state at annual sal
aries of $4,000 and $4,000.
Recommends More Salary.
The house committee on the COM
pensation of public officers recon-
mended for passage the bill by Fin
layson of Grundy county increasing
the salary of the superintendent OF
public schools to $4,000. The COM
mittee also recommended for passage
DlllS ~ DOSltScI VI oSote Souhsy Pio
viding for increases in the salaries
of deputy county clerks, recorders,
treasurers, sheriffs and auditors.
Closed Season for Trapping.
A closed season for killing and
trapping beaver, mink, otNr and
muskrat win be established In Iowa
II a bill by Representative Bruce of
Floyd county is passed by the. legis-
lature. The measure prohibits the
killing and trapping of these animals
between March / and Dec. /, except
to protect public and private proper
ty.
House Supports DoiIiver.
The house unanimously passed the
Dixon concurrent resolution petition
ing the Iowa delegation in congress
to vote and work for the Dolliver ag-
ricultural and vocational education
al bill.
The Dolliver bill provides for fed
eral appropriation extending over
period OF years, of $13,400.000 for ag-