Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1913-03-27

the county assessor. but said the pres
ent system Is not good. He declared
that the farmers Of the state are
against the bill and will oppose 1t at
all times.
} Some time was also given to repre-
sentatives OF the railroads who OPP
posed the bill and especially its pro-
vision as to taxation OF terminal values
Of the railroad property
The action of Governor Clarke In
sending special message to the legis-
lature urging the adoption of some re-
form in regard to taxation matters
stirred the members to action and 1T Is
probable they will now proceed at once
to the perfection of the bill, to the
elimination of Objectionable features
and to making a bill that will secure
fair system Of taxation.
The senate spent another day quietly
working to perfect the senate bill Tor
the regulation of public utilities.
great many amendments were offered,
some adopted and some rejected; out
the tenor of the discussion rather
showed that the members want the
bill to be as good as possible ana that
when it has been fixed up so as 10
safeguard practically everything that
can be thought Of it will be passed.
Senator Chase injected the only Varie-
ty of note in the discussion. DE Sc
cured adoption of an amendment Tor
bidding appointment to the commits
sion of one who has been an officer or
agent of a utilities corporation within
a year To have left off the one year
part would have greatly limited the
choice OF the governor. since 1t was
pointed out that nearly every one OF
any prominence in the state mas at
some time had to do with mutual
telephone company or similar utility.
The senator from Hamilton also in
jected into the discussion the matter
of whether or not the commerce coun-
sci office should be attached properly
to the law department of the state or
to the railroad commission. 1t was
decided that wha tever merit there Is
in this controversy it was settled two
years ago, or If not settled then IT
must be handled in separate bill
The Lounsberry bill to require the
raising of the flag over public build
ings. especially school houses. has been
favorably reported to the house. MT.
Lounsberry has received great many
letters indicating that the G. a. K. IN
the state is DESTROYS of the passage or
this bill.
Senate and house have locked horns
and appointed conferees on a Ballun
Roettger bill which provides that the
trust funds in the hands OF executors
and others may be invested In school,
county, municipal and drainage bonds.
Mr.. Ralluffs bill does not require that
the court shall first approve such IN
vestment while the Roettger bill pro-
vides for this approval.
In the public utilities bill there is
provision which might have material
effect on matters Of assessment ana
rate making. 1t provides for reports
from utilities, Including the railroads.
as to actual cost of construction and
value, and that these reports are to be
used by the commission In the work OF
deciding what are fair rates or Is sur
ficient compensation. and also snail De
sent to the assessing body to be tho
/. basis for taxation purposes. 1t is re-
I! called that the railroads now make one
report to railroad commission and an
other to the executive council-one as
a basis for rate making the other as a
! basis for assessment.
The arbitration bill or measure pro-
viding for the settlement OF Industrial
disputes. has been reported from the
labor committee of the senate and 1t
goes to the appropriations committee
to consider the funds needed for the
matter of expense. This would indi-
cate the bill stands an excellent show
of adoption.
Senator Darrah has introduced bill
to amend the primary law so that can
didates for presidential elector will not
be nominated at the primary. also that
they shall not be voted on at the cleo
tion but Iowa people will vote for
president and vice president and have
their votes counted for the electors
i pledged to vote for candidates.
Senator Chase has introduced bill
to put the office Of commerce counse!
under the department Of justice in
stead of the railroad commission.
A bill to authorize issue of medical
licenses to graduates of the state uni
versity medical school without fee was
introduced by Darrah by request