Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-01-16

~ SdplVOA AVoIiue ah0 0ASohOahB -
the railroad tracks at the foot Of the
hill to the south. The grounds thus
acquired, lying south Of Walnut
street, should be parked and beauti-
fled, and upon them should be placed
the Allison monument and such other
monuments as may be erected in the
future, and when the state shall build
an executive mansion, it should be
placed upon the high point Of ground
to the southeast of the capitol build.
ing. Upon the block immediately east
of the state house and south of Capt.
toll avenue should be located judi
cial building. would also suggest
that when the time comes that it is
necessary to make any considerable
improvement in the states power
plant, it would be wise to consider
moving it to the foot of the hill,
south and southwest Of the state
house, where it could be reached by
a switch, thereby saving the large
amount of money that is annually
paid for hauling coal with teams and
wagons, and also getting rid of the
dirt and smoke and the somewhat un-
slightly appearance Of heating plant
Immediately in front of the capitol
building.
The demand for more room for the
of the various officers
and commissions of the state seems
imperative. We now have the dairy
and food commissioner and the state
veterinary surgeon quartered in the
old brick building across the street
east from the state house, which
building is poorly equipped and
ought to BE- vacated. The state board
of education, the state fire marshal,
the commerce counsel, the rate de-
partment and the oil inspector have
been occupying committee rooms and
are now temporarily locatea-some
with other departments in this build
ing and some in the historical build
ing.
Insurance, Banking, Etc.
Conditions in the state with refer
ence to insurance and banking have
been quite satisfactory during The last
two years. There are now reporting
to the department 1,049 banks and
trust companies, as against $50 two
years ago, and the deposits have in
creased from $247,000,000 June 80,
1910, to $685., 100000 September II,
1912.
There have been no great con-
fagrations during the year and the
among our people has been
about normal.
The auditor of state in his biennial
report recently filed with me again
recommends that system of exam
ination of county accounts and rec
ords be established, and to this rec.
concentration l want to give my ap-
prevail 1t seems to me that the num-
Der of defalcations and Irregularities
that have occurred during the last
few years will impress upon you the
Importance of the above suggestion.
Mining and Labor Departments.
The entire chapter Of the code re-
lating to mines and mining in the
state was revised during the last ses-
sion of the general assembly and !
am pleased to say that under the new
law things have worked out in very
satisfactory manner. There have
been no serious disasters and the
merits of the statute enacted I think
have fully justified the revision Of the
law.
The labor department Of the state
is in a most excellent condition and ]
commend the commissioner upon his
faithful and wise administration of
the affairs of the Office. Some revis.
ion of the laws will be asked and re-
quest will be made for extending the
service of the department. One Of
the most important matters with ref-
erence thereto is that Of changing the
law with regard to employment agen.
cies so as to eliminate what is known
rs the "padrone" system.
In my opinion the power and au-
thority to inspect hotels should be
to and made part Of the
duty Of the labor commissioner. 1t
is wholly unnecessary to have two
sets Of men travelling over the state
when the work Of inspection herein
referred to could be performed equal
" as we'll and at a much less ex-
pense by the labor commissioner and
his deputies, who Of necessity must
visit all parts of the state in the
performance of other duties.
recommend a careful considera-
lion of the matters herein referred to-
Health Department.
While the health department of the
state seems to show more satisfac.
;ory condition than heretofore, l am
still of the opinion that the executive
head Of the department should be the
nan in immediate charge Of the Of
ice. Under system similar to that