Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1911-02-24
FAVORABLE REPORT ~ HOUSE
COMMITTEE ON BILL FOR
ROADS sErTERMENT.
FAvoRS TURNING BACK
PART OF AUTO TAX FUNDS
Gill Meets Opposition on Ground. That
hiahsr state Tax Would Be Neess-
.a,v-Ssnator Chase Mistaken For
Corporation Lobbyist-Senate Men,
hers Ignorant Of Rtas Controversy.
snecial to rlmes.Republlcan.

Special to Times Republican.
Des Moines, Feb. 24.-The good roads
movement has such force among the
people of Iowa that even the penny
pinchers can no longer resist. Even If
it should be necessary for somebody TO
keep up the state tax levy to its pres
ent figure higher than the average for
a long term of years a start is TO be
made for a special state good roads
fund, if the house committee on ways
and means IS 10 govern. That commit
tee today reported favorably the kulp
roads bill.
This is a bill which requires turning
back q part of the money received oE
the state for automobile licenses and
numbers TO the several counties from
which the autos are registered to be
used as special road fund exclusively
for grading and dragging roads. In its
present form it takes SIS per cent OF the
auto tax for this purpose
The bill was originally reported by
the roads committee and then sent 10
the ways and means despite the op-
position of the roads people. They had
a hard fight yesterday 70 get 1t out.
Representative Kulp talked earnestly
for his measure but 1t was fought by
others on the theory that it would re-
duce the taxes coming into the general
fund Of the state and this would have
to be made up some other way. This
was branded as merely a plea that the
present administration might make a
record for economy by reducing the
state tax levy. The bin was urged by
Harry Stipp, H. H. Polk and others Of
Des Moines. The good roads men say
it is at least start in the right direc-
ton
Professor Clarke. OF Burlington. and
others appeared before the house COM
mittee on schools yesterday and argued
for some time in favor of the Cowles-
Ritter bill to provide a way that ex-
perienced teachers may secure life GER
tificates after certain period without
the necessity for so much trouble IN
the examination The members have
received many petitions in favor OF this
bill ana the teachers Of the state. espe-
cdAlly those Of the cities Of the eastern
part Of the state. have done a great
! deal OF work For it.
The house today received an adverse
report on the bill to provide that where
a voting machine is used only the in
! divtdual candidate levers shall be used
and to cut out the use of the party
!. lever which corresponds exactly with
! the party circle on the ballots. The
! chairman Of the committee and others
/ urged that II party lever was per
mitted they ought to permit a party
circle on the printed ballots but the
committee thought otherwise
Senator Chase was yesterday the
victim of an unintentional joke which
convul0ed the committee on judiciary
with laughter and all but embarrassed
ex-Representauve Hansen, Of Hum
boldt county, who was making a plea
to the committee for passage of some
sort OF bill for a public service COM
mission. Hansen had been piled with
questions and Chase had asked a few
that were sharp
Now. I'll tell you, Mr.. Guernsey
said Mr. Hansen-but he could not &c
further for the committee and a big
crowd of listeners broke out in loud
outlay at the expense Of the senator
from Hamilton who had thus been
mistaken for the better known lobby
list who represents most of the big
corporations around Des Moines.
Mr.. Hansen, however made an earn
est plea for a public service commits
sion 80 that the independent telephone
companies OF Iowa may not be driven
entirely out of business.
"A few years ago. he said, I'VE ha6
SO many of these companies that we
held a big state convention of persons
interested in Des Moines; last year We
had been reduced so much that we ha6
to combine with Nebra Ska and met a,
Omaha: this year we haven't heard g
pipe about any convention. What we
want 10 some medium thru which we
can secure an adjustment of the diff
ferences between these companies ant
the patrons and public. Unless that i:
done these companies will be nearly
all driven out Of business The people
Of Iowa have the lowest telephone
rates for the service of any state ir
the union; unless the companies gel
better rates they can not exist"
Z Mr.. Hansen urged especially the
Francis bill but indicated that hi
would be satisfied with some such plar
as that in the Sammis bill. He would
prefer to go direct to conmissio,
but II he could not go direct would b,
glad to go thru the medium of a cit,
council. 1t was especially to saw,
these and similar companies he desired
the adoption OF the bill
The senate today received favorable
report on two bills to provide here
after where tax aid is given railroad
1t shall be a donation and not requir
that stock be issued for the same. I
IL figured that the tax aid hereafte
Will be Of little Importance and ough
to he donation and nothing else
Tho bill to compel railroads to pu
slespefs on stock trains has been re
ported to the senate for killing.
Tho bill to forbid stationary enzin
GERS working more than eight hour
has been recommended for indefnit
po0tpOnement to the senate.
Some Of the members Of the senat
were disposed TO have a little .por
y with others because OF their refuss
to evon refer to . committee the ex
& pfaaatt0n OF the board Of railroad com
= saiSsionsro On the reason for the de-
Aolt and need OF funds to carry o
the rate cases. A great many fesolu
tteao oe memorials from boards Of gu
!. yosvlUoss ana similar bodies come I
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