Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1914-08-13
GEOLOGY OF IOWA
ANNUAL REPORT OF SURVEY OF
STATE BY EXPERTS Is
GIVEN TO PUBLIC.
GOOD ROADS MATERIAL HERE

Result Of investigations In Each coun-
ty Is Given Separately That Resi-
dents May Know Best Place to OBJ
tain Their Supplies When Needed.
Des Moines.-Purchase Of coal ac-
cording to the heat value, the ash and
moisture 1t contains, rather than upon
the reputation of the coal dealer, is
recommended by the Iowa geological
survey in the annual report recently
| issued. The result of analysis of
samples of coal show that Polk coun-
ty is producing some of the best fuel
in this state.
The average for Iowa coal should
be 11,754 T. U. and the ash should
not go above 1882 per cent, the re-
port says.
The report Of the survey forms a
huge volume and is made up mainly of
report Of road and concrete mate.
rails in Iowa. Each county is handled
separately and 1t is explained where
the sand and gravel and stone for
road work may be obtained in each
district Of the state. Polk county is
credited with being generously sup
Piled with gravel and sand, but to be
short OF rock suitable for road work.
The sandstone beds exposed at the
foot of Capitol hill have probably
been more extensively developed
than any other in the country and are
said to have supplied the material for
the walls of the old Fort Des Moines.
The report says that beds of gravel In
the Des Moines and Raccoon rivers
have been found to be thirty feet in
depth.
The report Of the survey is an ex-
pensive production. The experts have
been at work preparing the material
since 1909. The printing and binding
cost is high.
Teach Practical Subjects.
To demonstrate the possibilities OF
the new educational law which will
become effective July 1, 1915, A. M.
Deyoe, superintendent of public in
struction, is planning to install the
teaching OF domestic science, manual
training and agriculture In at least six
country schools in each county Of the
state this fall
There are 1850 rural schools In
Iowa. The legislature has directed
that after next year the pupils Of
these schools must have the advant-
ages which result through the teaching
of the three new subjects.
Teachers will be asked to study
books dealing with domestic science,
manual training and agriculture dur
ing the coming year and special line
of study will be issued by the state
department to aid them, for all teach
ers must undertake the new work in
September, 1915.
Reducing the Levy.
After close study OF the state fin
ances the executive council was COM
PEELED to abandon its plan to cut the
state tax levy one-tenth of a mill. The
levy was fixed at 2.9 mills, the same
rate as for last year. AS required by
law, this was certified to the county
auditors by the council.
With the millage taxes fixed by the
legislature the total levy for all state
purposes for i.14 will be 40 mills. or
this amount mills will go for special
purposes alc 2.S mills for general
state expenses.
Members Of the council were deep
ly disappointed over the inability to
reduce the state levy. For time it
vas thought that it would be possible.
but later developments caused the
plan to be dropped.
Surprise to Mlssourians.
Visitors from Mexico, Mo-, passing
through the state house one day re.
Gently were astonished at the big
building and the many departments Of
the state government. Addressing w.
A. Duckworth, custodian, one of the
visitors said: Gosh, you have got
big building here. 1t must take at
least 800 a day to run the govern
ment, doesn't it?"t
The custodian was sure that II cost
more than 500 a day for he esti-
mated that there were 200 clerks in
the building. To make sure he APP
piled to the auditor OF state, who as
tonished the Missouri men by stating
that there are $50 clerks on the
states pay roll and the daily expense
Of operating the state government ma
chinery Is $1,000. This takes In only
part of the states expense, but 1t
looked huge to the visitors.
Old Records Of State.
w. s. Allen, secretary OF state, 10
overhauling the records OF the state
land department and binding the old
maps and surveys to prevent destruc-
ton. Many OF the older records in
recent years had received little care.
Old Soldiers Program.
Tuesday, September LIST, will be
Soldiers and Pioneers Day and the vet
Grams OF the civil war are planning an
interesting program. The G. A. r.
tent will be In its same location along
Grand avenue east of the row of din
ing halls and near campers headquar-
tiers.
Gov. George W. Clark will be one of
the speakers and Elk. Lieut.. Gov. j.
C. Milliman, OF Logan, has been in
vited to speak The National Associ-
alton OF Civil War Musicians will fur
nish music.
Special Trains for State Fair.
Railroads running into Des Moines
have agreed to run more special
trains to the state fair this year than
in former years. Nearly all the Iowa
roads that either run into the city or
make connections with the capital
will run special trains for four days of
the fair.
The specials will be started on Fri
day of the first week, it is thought
now. There is every reason to believe
that the railway service to the fair
this year will be more adequate than
ever, according to officials.