Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1913-01-06
REFERENCE LIBRARY HELPS
LAWMAKERS AVOID MANY
PITFALLS.
MUCH WORK ACCOMPLISHED
IN PREPARING FOR SESSION
While Library Adjunct is incomplete,
Il Has Come to ss Almost Indis-
ponsibls-othsr states Appropriat,ns
Libsraiiy For Same Work-c Congress
Also Appreciates System.

Des Moines, Jan. 6.-Help to legislat-
ors in avoiding the pitfalls and dangers
Of hasty and ill-considered bills will be
given members of the thirty fifth gen.
eral assembly more than any other in
Iowa, thru the Legislative, reference
bureau established by the state library;
yet the work thus far done has been
almost without facilities and under
great difficulties.
This department has been at work
long while getting ready for the ses-
sion Of the legislature. In fact it is
working at the job all the time. But
recently innumerable requests have
tain things and the department is busy
getting together the material SO that
legislators may be able to find out just
what they want to know as to laws and
bills and reports on the subjects that
are of greatest Importance.
The bureau was established by the
library board some years ago as
part Of the law department of the state
library, and while it has net as yet re-
ceived any substantial appropriation
from the state other than providing for
an assistant, with this limited help the
law librarian. Mr.. A. j. Small. has built
up a real and effective. bureau. The
calls made for information and requests
for reference from the legislators are
being responded to fully. There are at
least a dozen members of the legis-
lature who are investigating as to en-
ployers' liability and workmen's COM
1olv3n0 into the
mysteries of the question as to public
utilities commission, others are look.
ing up taxation, highways. consolida-
ton of school districts. state aid for
highways and schools, the "bluesky
law labor, the "Oregon plan" for elect
ing senators, the presidential primary.
and scores of other more or less conse-
quential matters, but all of sufficient
importance to call for careful investi-
CATION. Members have discovered that
much valuable information can be had
from this important department of the
state library for the asking.
Almost Indispensable.
legislative reference work is now be-
coming an almost indispensable factor.
and is really a necessity for the de-
velopment Of uniform laws and eff
fective legislation The time has come
when the legislator is making more
systematic study of his proposed bills.
He wishes to know the states or coun-
tries having the same or similar laws.
their operation and results. He de-
.sires full knowledge Of the history
of G law, decisions bearing on the same
and whether or not it Is effective. He
wants to know the economic or socio-
logical reasoning, why such measure
should be enacted into law, in other
words, the fundamental principles re-
lating thereto The: fault in Iowa is,
as in others, that many had and in
effectual laws have been adopted be-
cause of being lily prepared and alto
gether too hastily enacted, thereby en-
falling much unnecessary expense and
litigation.
The staff Of the law library Is
bending every energy to make this de-
partmert one of great service to the
people of Iowa. It should have more
liberal support that the scope Of the
work now undertaken may be en-
larged to reach every sphere of civic
affairs. No less than twenty states
have legislative reference bureaus and
expend money literally for their main
tenance. Wisconsin appropriates $780,
900 annually, and Pennsylvania $21, 900
and keep large staff constantly en-
ployed in collecting, compiling, briefing
and arranging materials for immediate
use. No greater returns can be made
for money expended than In the build
ing up of this department Of the state
library where information can be mad
on any topic desired, not only for the
use Of the members Of the general as
sen.bly but also fer the schools, col
leges and individuals.
Iowa Needs the Best.
"Iowa should not be behind in mat
ters of this kind said veteran leg
islator the other day. 1.-THE state should
give to it's people the best that can be
had. not only developing the public In
tellectua1ly but aiding the legislators In
their research for the betterment OF
our state laws, conserving their time,
avoiding the possibilities Of conflictins
statutes and preventing needless ex-
pense because Of bad laws. Congress
appreciates the value CT this kind OF
work, and bill is now pending to es-
tablish a Legislative reference bureau
in connection with the library of con-
gress and making liberal appropria-
tions for it's maintenance. Legislative
reference work is no longer an expert
ment: 1t Is an aggressive and prac-
ticable library movements; 1t Is the
link which connects the masses and