Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-12-28
EXAMINER FOR
COMMISSIONS
Interest Developed in New
Form of Municipal Gov
ernment May Call for
Service of Economist. -

Des Moines. Dec. 27.-In view Of in
terest that has developed In the oper-
alton of municipal government under
the commission form OF government,
and the explanation in the auditor OF
states office that the present munich
pal examiner makes no further ex-
animation than into the correctness OF
the bookkeeping, the coming session
of the legislature may beg asked to
provide for a special examiner whose
duty 1t shall be to make an investiga'
ton into the cost Of municipal govern
ment In Iowa cities Such an lnvesti.
CATION would reveal the efficiency OF
the commission form Of government as
compared with the old form. 1t has
been suggested by municipal experts
that such an examination should be
made by. ..a-trainad economist, probably
the head Of the economics department
from one of Iowa's leading colleges
or the university with view OF get
ting all the facts. Such an examlna-
ton would, 1t is suggested, include
every cost of government such as
regular expenditures, expenditures on
bonds as interest. amount raised by
municipal tax levy and INCLUDE the
school tax levy, showing the cost OF
operating city in every phase. That
such q thorough investigation would
be of great interest and benefit to the
cities in framing their future policies
Is the contention of those who favor
the plan, and would also be a great
advantage to the legislature in con-
sidering the enactment Of laws affect-
ing municipal government.
Provide Convict's Family
In connection with the recent dis
cussion Of abolishing the contract Ia
bor in Iowa prisons through legisla-
tive enactment this winter an effort
will be made by sociologists to have
incorporated provision. that the pay
of the convicts on state farm or in
state factory be equal to the amount
paid for similar work outside and that
their earnings be turned over to their
families for their support. 1t Is point
ed out that the state Of Minnesota has
gone even further In this respect and
guarantees the support of families OF
conyicts, even when 1t Ia necessary to
take money from the general state
fund for that purpose. There the pay
of convicts Is turned over to the fam
ily and when such is not SUFFICIENT for
their support the state makes up the
difference, the amount necessary be.
ing decided by the state board OF con-
troll. .st..s .a ..
May be senatorship.
Announcement by Chairman n. F.
Reed of the democratic state central
committee that the state committee
will soon open headquarters with a
view of controlling state Legislation
this winter has aroused considerable
interest among politicians here and
they are wondering just what the
democratic plan is to control an assem-
blv which has a majority OF republican
members.
1t has been suggested that the demo-
Gratis are possibly relying upon getting
some standpat republican assistance
in the legislature in view Of the threat
that was made by the standpatters at
the second republican state conven-
ton here last spring. At that time
when the resolutions committee re-
fused to endorse "the national admin.
istration," and refused to mention the
name of William Howard Taft certain
standpat members of the legislature
made the threat that unless the ma
tional administration was recognized
they would see to 1t that Kenyon
would be defeated for the United
states senate during the next session
Of the legislature. The progressives
refused to be scared by this and passed
resolutions without reference to the
national administration and condemn
Ing the tactics used In the Chicago
convention in the nomination OF Taft.
Now the announcement Of the or
SANITATION Of the democratic state CEN
trail committee to control legislation"
raises the query whether the demo
Gratis have received assurance OF as
sistance and whether 1t Is the plan to
attempt the election Of democrat to
the United States senate. Daniel
hamilton, former democratic congress.
CONTINUED on Page 81