Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1913-02-28
TWO BILLS IN sENArE or INTER.
EST TO EVERY MERCHANT
IN IOWA.
TAX PROPOSED ON EVERY
ONE WHO SELLS IN COUNTRY
Second Bill Proposes TO Levy License
On Every Transient Merchant =
"Firs" and BANKRUPT" saiss Come
Under the Ban-Ths Case Of Convict
tiaisy-LssisIativs Gossip.
'recial to rimes-Republican.

Special to Times Republican.
Des Moines, Feb, 2s.-Two bills that
will interest every merchant in the
state have just been introduced in the
senate by Senator Balkema. They
would, if enacted into law, go far to-
ward protecting the public from ire
sponsible dealers, and help to keep re-
tail business on It's proper basis.
The first one provides that every
peddler plying his vocation outside any
city or town shall pay an annual
county tax Of $25, or If with one horse
$50. two horses SIS and travelling by
automobile $3.50. Each peddler must
also file bond for the protection OF
persons with whom he deals, and it is
further provided that
1.-The word 'peddler' under the pro-
visions Of this act, shall be held to
include and apply to. in addition to
peddlers under the strict definition of
the word, all transient merchants and
itinerant vendors selling by sample Or
by taking orders, whether for imme-
date or future delivery, and to every
soliciting agent"
1t Is provided, however. that it shall
not apply to persons selling at whole
sale to merchants, nor to persons SELL
ing and distributing fresh meats, fish
or vegetables, nor TO persons selling
their own work or production.
The other bill applies to transient
merchants and requires a license from
the county on payment of 5000. Bond
must be filed and statement Of the
character of the business. 1t is then
provided that it shall be unlawful for
any transient merchant to advertise.
represent or hold out any goods, wares
or merchandise, as being sold as an
| insurance. bankrupt. administrator. re-
ceiver. syndicate, wholesale. manufar-
i iurer or closing out sale, or as sale oil
| any goods, wares or merchandise DAM
| aged by smoke, fire, water or other
| wise, unless such temporary transient
merchant shall. file with the county au-
ditor an affidavit showing all facts
! relating to the reasons for and char
| acter Of such SALE" etc.. all OF which
must cause to appear that the adver-
| tised statements are true.
| The law would apply to persons
| leasing a building or selling from a car.
| and in the case Of a, new merchant
suspected OF being transient bond
will be required for a year. 1t would
not apply, of course, to sherifks or other
officers selling out stocks of goods.
The two bills, it is understood, rep.
]: resent the desires of the retail me--
!, chants Of the state. and they would
'afrord . Considerable protection from
/ the itinerants and peddlerA
Tie HaIsy cass.
:, If the Legislature makes investiga-
I ton Of the Haley complaint about the
state prison not being very desir-
liable place Of residence It will be the
third complete investigation. 1t was
disclosed that the records Of the gov
ernor's Office show that In December
1910, there was -dled with the governor
a report on a complete investigation OF
the Haley case and, other matters
brought to the attention Of the board
by convicts ana ex-convicts, and that
this was on file in the Office of the gov.
| ernor when the second investigation
4 was started in 1911 OF 1912. Practical
ly every allegation upon which the
second investigation was made had
been gone into thoroughly by the board
Of control and the conclusion reached
that there was no foundation for tho
most serious Of the accusations. which
conclusion was subsequently confirmed
by the prison commission. Now it Il
demanded again that the whole matte,
be reopened.
1t is stated by those who are in po'
sition to know that as a matter Of fac
Convict Haley is treated Just like every
other convict who refuses to conform
TO the prison discipline and refuses alb
solutely to do any work at anything
where he could properly be trusted.
Two years ago and four years agt
members Of the legislature refused tt
start any general investigation OF
the theory that all such agitation woult