Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1912-01-25
ENLAReEMENTs NEEDED At
STATE HOSPITAL FOR
lNEsRiATEs.
INDusTRlAk FEATURES
TO KEEP MEN EMPLOYED
superintendent Donahus Adopts Strict
Measures 70 Prevent Escape Of Un-
fortunate Wards-stats Served With
Notice Of Suit in Collateral Inhsri.
tanes Tax cass-stats Capital Gossip.
Special to Times-Republican.

Special to Times Republican.
Des Moines. Jan. 25.-Superintendent
Donahue of the state institution for
inebr1ates at Knoxville will urge that
the legislature enlarge that institution
and better equip it for the extremely
difficult task to which it is devoted,
that Of working out reform for an un-
fortunate class Of persons.
THAT which Is most needed" said
Superintendent Donahue, lis some pro-
vision for the classification of the in
mates, and especially for the care Of
the persons who have broken parole
several times and have shown that
they wilfully resist the effort Of the
state to better their condition. There
ought to be considerable farm for the
state and buildings with industries.
The institution is crowded now, the
number present being 191. I believe
some changes that ought to be made"
One reason for the increase in at
tendance at the institution is the fact
to permit inmates to come and go at
will. He is holding them right to their
tasks Of getting better. Nobody runs
away now. He even went to Oelwein
to resist suit wherein the judge Of
whether or not a person he had sent
there had been cured. and established
that it is for the superintendent. not
ba 70 90 RI H11lroS
The fact is that some prison methods
are being used at the institution. and
great is the complaint thereat. Judges
have been in the habit of sending men
there with a 3-year commitment, and
with the suggestion or promise that
they will get out after few months
when they have had time to sober up.
Then in short time petition is sent
to Knoxville for release Of the man,
and the judge and the mans family
and the fellows who got drunk with
him all sign up. But Superintendent
Donahue politely informs these friends
that there Is nothing doing.
About the only Industry" at present
at the institution Is rock pile. but the
men are never worked at anything ex-
cept for part Of day. Some Of them
have never done any physical labor be-
fore and they resist. Prison methods
are used for discipline and solitary
cell with bread and water diet comes
next. A good many Of the victims Of
drugs and drink have been high livers.
and bread and ewater--which is per-
faps the best thing. in the world for
them-doesn't suit their fastidious
tastes. Hence more trouble.
The next legislature will have to deal
with the problem OF what to do to
make this institution more nearly full
fill it's mission. But just at present
the victims who go there are finding
H. about the hardest place to get away
from In the state. Nobody gets a
chance at release short OF Elk months
and some Of them are required to stay
the full time Of the commitment.
The treasurer of state has been
served with notice Of suit in which
an effort ID to be made to restrain him
from collection Of certain collateral in
heritance taxes for the. state due on
the Culver estate disposed of in Pot
tawattamie county The supreme court
recently rendered second decision on
appeal in this case. 1t involved the
taxation Of bank stock owned by
Kansas man in an Iowa bank, also
money on deposit in an Iowa bank.
The court held the hank stock was tax
able. In regard to the money deposited
the state won on question Of practice,
but the court intimated rather than
decided that the money was not tax
able AS the lawyers, had muddled the
case SO that direct decision on that
point could not be had the effort Is
now being made to enjoin the state
treasurer from actually collecting the
tax.
The secretary Of state will probably
contract very apon FOR the 1913 auto
mobile numbers plates for Iowa. It
seems impossibiesto induce any manu-
facturer to turn them out short Of six
or eight months. The plates for 1911
were delayed and SOFA contract was
made with big firm for 1912 with
guaranty Of prompt delivery. The
numbers are not going out now be-
cause the makers can not furnish the
plates on time. Yesterday 4 shipment
Of 600 was received. but orders are
waiting. Mr.. Hayward plans to give
the manufacturerSa good, part Of year
to make the plates. The owners Of
motor cars are coming In slowly with
their payment Of the fees but they are
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