Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1913-04-16
IOWA LEGISLATURE
ADJOURNS TOMORROW
Thirty-Fifth General Assembly Will
Close Sine Die Thursday, April IL.
MUCH DISAPPOINTING
IN THE LIE, xArIoN
Exponents of Permanent Roa TaA
Revision, Public Utilities Con SS-
sion and Other Reforms, Fin q
Much Criticism. 1

The thirty-fifth general assembly
of Iowa will adjourn sine die on to-
morrow, April 18th after busy and
important session. The proposed ad-
journment until in the fall will not
take place, as a concurrent resolu-
tion for adjournment tomorrow has
passed both houses. If the legisla-
ture reconvenes it must be called in
special session by Governor Clarke.
1t is likely that between the time
this is written and the final adjourn
ment tomorrow many important mat
tiers now unsettled will be disposed
OF, but at this time there is much re-
naming undone that was hoped for
from the present session. 1t is the
belief among the more progressive
people of the state that there has
been postponement and delay in mat
ters of grave import. Nevertheless,
the work of the session shows much
of material benefit to the state, and
taken as a whole it must be given
credit for what it has accomplished.
During thespast week a larger and
better grist of really important bills
came from the hopper than in any
other week of the session, and the
record of the unfinished product for
the past seven days is really quite
creditable.
First, in Importance, beyond any
question, was the decision of the leg
fslature to give the state of Iowa a
proper setting for the state capitol,
authorizing millage tax for the
gradual purchase of sufficient land
around the state house for all state
purposes The thirty-fifth general as
sembly will have place in history
for this great step which will be bet
ter appreciated fifty years from now
than at this time.
Next in general Importance was the
finishing of the work planned for bet
ter schools by adoption of the bill to
reorganize the county educational
system and to increase the aid for
high school normal training. These
are companion measures to the bill
reorganizing the state department of
education and giving aid to the con-
solidated rural schools.
The bill for non-partisan election
of Judges will be regarded as of i'm
portance, as part of the movement
Tor the shorter ballot, which included
taking off the ballots the names of
candidates for county superintendent
and state superintendent of schools.
Sanitation in bakeries is another
important matter finished up and that
will give Mr.. Barney's department a
new line of useful activity.
The bill to authorize arbitration of
labor disputes is regarded by many as
one of the most important placed on
the statute book. 1t may mean the
beginning of new era with regard
10 industrial troubles in Iowa.
A very important bill was that
which gives to the state executive
council almost unlimited power in ex-
pending money to secure information
on matters coming officially before
that body, for it means a thorough
investigation into corporation matters
and gives the council power to do
almost all that was ever proposed for
be some dry bones shaking when the
full force of this bill becomes known
TO tax dodgers and derelict assessors.
The bill to change the method of
calling out the militia and require
that in all cases the governor shall
direct affairs is regarded especially in
national guard circles as a big thing.
The legislature also the past week
provided definitely for election of u.
I S. senators by direct vote of the peo-
pie, the same as other officials, and
for a presidential preference primary
and election of delegates to national
conventions.
The bill to give banks the right to
act as trust companies is not yet quite
out of the woods but will be in day
or two.
The bill to give power companies a
right to run their electric transmits
sion lines across the state is one of
the big measures of the week.
In fact, the week was prolific in i'm
portant measures finished and made
ready for the governor. The decision,