The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1913-05-15
Des MOineS Letter.

Des Moines, May 12.-The legisla-
tive retrenchment and reform COM
mittee has held it's first meeting ana
! succeeded in doing two things voted
down by the assembly as a Whole. IL
gave the attorney general, VINO re-
| ceived the most liberal increase IN
salaries of any Office, authority to
hire still another assistant IN his OIL
! flee. This was voted down by the
assembly. The committee directed
all state fair tickets to legislators
and state officers to be abollshed.
| This too the legislature voted down.
| 1t passed an order requiring all state
officials and employees to ring in and
out on time clocks and work eight
hours a day. Elective officials are
debating the right of a legislative
committee to dictate their conduct,
for which they are responsible only
to the people who elected them. Sec
rotary of State Allen was given three
additional help for two weeks. Then
the committee decided to hold closed
meetings and appoint committee
consisting of Representative Jacobs
and Chas. Miller to tell the press
what they may print.
Attending the movement of the
retrenchment and reform committee
to reduce the state expenditures
there has been considerable discus
sion recently at the state house con-
corning the fact that Senator Joe Al
len, of the committee, was lnstru-
mental in getting through the legis-
lature a bill appropriating $445 to
Railroad Commissioner Clifford
Thorne which had been turned down
by the previous legislature and the
executive council. 1t was for SER
vices he did while connected with
the Corn Belt Meat Producers asso-
citation prior to becoming a commits
sioner.
E. L. Masqueray, of New York,
has been retained by the executive
council to superintend the capitol
ground improvement under the plan
prepared by Mr.. Masqueray and
adyopted by the legislature. Mr..
Masqueray is also architect and con-
structing the two million dollar
Catholic cathedral, now being con-
structed in St. Paul, Mimi.
Chief of Police Cox at the State
Capitol has been restored to his po-
sition by Custodian Duckworth, who
discharged him. Following his dis
charge Cox secured an injunction OF
the Polk county district court re-
storing him under the old soldiers
preference law. The matter was to
have been tried on the question OF
making the Injunction permanent
Monday, but Custodian Duckworth
and Mr.. Cox reached an amicable
agreement Friday.
Gossip of political candidates for
two years hence has commenced ear
ly. There is talk Of re-organiza-
ton of the Iowa republican party by
harmonizing on Governor Clarke as
candidate for United States Senator
to succeed SCummins. Lieutenant
Governor Hardin of Sioux City, who
made an enviable record as presid-
ing officer OF the senate, is being
doomed for governor. Senator Joe
Mates of Sac county, has also been
| mentioned as possible candidate
for the place. There seems to be a
demand from both progressive and
regular leaders for Deputy Joseph
Byrne to become a candidate to sue
coed his principal, Mr.. Bleeakley, as
auditor of state.
Senator Clarkson Of Abba confer
red with Governor Clarke last week
concerning the coming appointment
by the governor of a head of the de-
partment of Workingmen's Compen-
sation.
Secretary Of State Allen is busily
engaged in compiling the laws pass
ed by the last general assembly and
having them printed for distribution.
The Supreme Court convened May
6 with seven members for the first
time. Under the new law the Clerk
of the Supreme Court will hereafter
be an appointiVe instead Of an cleo
tive position.
All kinds vi cement and bricl
- 4 Ne No n&,v, s(or, mt