Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1912-03-01

Des Moines, March 1.-Prof. Charles
F. Curtiss, dean Of the agricultural de-
partment at Ames, who attended a
meeting of the board of directors Of
the Iowa department Of agriculture,
states that in his opinion the Iowa
soil will be in better fix for the begin
ming of farm operations this spring
than for many years.
There has been a great deal Of
snow" he said. which is a good thing.
and this late snow which has covered
the south part of the state Will much
OF it go into the ground and be saved
They have needed more moisture in the
south part OF the state and now they
are getting it at time when it will do
good. Iowa ought TO be prepared for
a big crop this year"
President Cameron and Directors
Johnston, Wentworth and Pike, all of
whom attended q meeting here this
week and all of whom have travelled
over the state a good deal. also state
that the conditions seem TO be excel
lent for q fine crop this year
Senator Cummins will on his return
TO Washington make an investigation
of the record of Judge Pitney. the New
Jersey jurist just appointed to the su
prerle bench, and fully inform himself
as to the position the man has taken
upon public questions before the mat
ter of his confirmation comes to a vote.
Sc
ously in the matter and to make in
quiries. Pitney was not known to
very many of the senators and indeed
few had ever heard Of him.
Senator Kenyon has sent to A l..
Trick, head of the state federation of
labor. for all information in his posses
sion as to the attitude of the new ap-
pointee in regard to the rights Of
workingmen, and he will lock carefully
into the qualifications Of the man for
the high office
The agricultural department Of the
Rock Island is taking up the seed corn
question and trying to impress it upon
The farmers living along the lines Of
that railroad H. NJ Cot.re,l Of that
company vas here this week presenting
the matter and ne states that as a mat
ter Of fact there is very little seed corn
20 be had that is good in fact, all the
agitation in regard to seed corn has
not shown the farmers the necessity
for getting good seed corn. The Rock
Island railroad has the honor Of orig
mating the idea Of carving the gospel
Of good farming to the farmers by
means Of special trains. the plan haT-
ing started with William H. Given,
superintendent, son Of the late Chief
Justice Josiah Given. of this city. The
company is active in promoting good
farming and has kept ZIP the good work
begun some ten years ago.
The state of Iowa is finding that the
high cost ls living e q reality aside
from the cost of high living. for the
state is buying poor grade Of coffee
for the 1000 inmates of institutions at
rate much higher than was paid for
a good grade a few years ago. The
last contracts we're let for IS cents a
ro,,nd which is wholesale rate and
the board was Informed that mucn
better grade which few years ago
vas purchased for - cents pound
would now cost % cents.
Just at present the state military de-
nartrent is engaged in discourag gins
all changes in the Iowa national guard
There is a remote possibility OF war on
the Mexican border and so long as
this possibility exists it is desired tc
maintain the guard companies un-
! changed and to retain present ofncers
Colonel Chantland the senior colonel
who is in an Official position in Wash
ington. will defer his intention OF re-
SIGNING pending the outcome OF war
| like preparations. and the Filllsca com.
pany which has asked to be mustered
out will be retained for the present
The guard inspections are under way
now and reports informally sho" thf
companies in good shape for cam
paign in the south.