The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1913-04-10

IrOOuCeU Ill lue general dSSc"uAy W
the joint committee of the two
houses on highways was finally pass
ed by both houses. While the bill
is not all that the progressive advo-
Gates of permanent good roads de-
sired, it is a forward step and If the
provisions of the law are enforced
there will be a great improvement
made in Iowa highways. The bill
is quite lengthy, but we believe it
should be given the widest possible
publicity, and We suggest to The Re-
porter readers that they cut out and
preserve the law for future refer
ence. The full text Of the new law
follows:
Senate File No, 439. BY commit
tee on highways.
Be 1t Enacted by the General Assem-
bly, of the State of Iowa:
Section 1.-The Office of the state
highway commission is hereby locat-
ed at the state college of agriculture
and mechanic arts. Said commission
shall be composed of three members,
one of which shall be the dean of
engineering of said college, and the
other two GU members of the COM
mission shall be appointed by the
governor INN ediately upon taking
effect of this act, from different po-
litical parties, for the period of two
CD and four "a years, from July l.,
1913, and terms of office shall there
afer be four (4) years. "Such COM
mission when appointed shall fillthe
mission when appointed shall fill the
this act and July /, 1913" Each
commissioner shall be subject to re-
moval from Office as provided by
chapter seventy-seven 90, laws Of
the Thirty-third General Assembly"
II for any reason a vacancy occurs
in the membership appointed by the
governor, he shall fill such vacancy
for the remainder of the uncxpired
term, from the same political party
from which the vacancy occurred.
The attorney general shall act as an
attorney for the commission, and
shall advise them upon all legal ques-
tons arising with reference to the
duties of said commission.
sec. 2.-Each of the commission
ers appointed by the governor shall
receive for his services the sum of
ten ($1O.OO) dollars per day for each
day actually employed in the work
pensation to such commissioner shall
dollars per annuE.
Sec. 3.-The duties of said COM
mission shall be:
1st.-To devise and adopt plans of
highway construction and mainten-
ance suited to the needs of the diff
ferent counties of the state and fur
nish standard plans to counties in
accordance Herewith.
2nd.-To disseminate information
and instruction to county supervisors
and other highway officers; answer
inquiries and advise such supervis-
ors and officers on questions pertain
ing to highway improvements, con-
struction and maintenance and of
reasonable prices for material and
construction.
3rd.-To keep record of all i'm
.portant operations of the highway
commission and to annually report
the same to the governor by the first
day of December, which report shall
be printed as a public document,
4th.-To appoint such assistants
as are necessary to carry on the
duties and fix the compensation of
of employment of all employees; pro-
vide for necessary bonds, and fix the
amount of same.
5th.-To make Investigation as to
conditions in any county, and to re-
port any violation of duty, either of
commission or omission, to the at
torney general, who shall take such
steps as are deemed advisable by
him to correct the same.
6th.-The state highway commits
sion shall have general supervision
of the various county and township
officers named in this act in the per-
Torrance of the duties here enjoined,
and shall have full power and au-
thority to enforce the provisions of
this act. .......
7th.-To perform all other duties
required by law. .-....,
Sec. 4.-The board of supervisors
of each county, within thirty days
from the taking effect of this act,
or as soon thereafter as practicable,
shall employ competent engineer or
engineers, whose tenure Of Office may
be terminated by the Highway COM
who shall perform the dut-
les as hereinafter provided, and who
shall be employed for such length of
time and at such compens; ton as
may be fixed by the board of super
visors, and to be paid out of the
fund. Said engineer, or en-
gineers, shall give bonds for the !
faithful performance of their duties
in sum not less than one thousand |
($1,00O) dollars, nor more than five
thousand ($5,0O0) dollars At the
time of employing such engineer, or
as soon thereafter as practicable !
the board shall designate and select
from the highways of the county not
less than ten (10) per cent, nor
more than fifteen (15) per cent of
The total mileage, same to be the
main travelled roads of the county,
and which must connect the principal
market places of the county, as well
as connect with the county roads in
adjoining counties. The system of
road, bridges and culvert work here
in provided shall apply only to high
1toi1 1f hn Nf TIM