Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1914-12-12
rBv Ora wil,ians.l

Des Moines, Dec. 1a.-Thcre was
held in Des Moines this week some
meetings which showed how well the
men who are helping to make iowa n
better place in which to live are dong
their work, but which also showed now
unwise these same people are In some
matters. There were held several KINDS
of meetings-the state agricultural con-
vention, the horticultural meeting. the
convention OF fair managers, he PARK
and forestry association and the live
stock growers and shippers. These were
meetings of men and women all inter-
ested primarily in the problem of pro-
duction and upbuilding. But they were
not what the efficiency engineers would
call correlated Now when the edi-
Gators of the state set apart week
they come to the city and hold some
general meetings where they all get to-
gether and consider those things when
are common to all. then each day sep
arate into round tables or sectional
meetings and socialize. The depart
ments of the state teachers association
are Just as distinct as each of the sep
arate meetings held here this week,
Why do not those interested in farm
problems bring their separate organi-
cations into some sort of relation to
each other? If two half days could be
given over TO . program on topics OF
common interest. the rest could be
given over TO these topics relating to
fairs. breeding. apples, flowers, beef.
etc. Wednesday evening there were
two banquets going at the Slavery at
the same time. The persons attending
each were actuated by q common pur-
pose but there was no aff!iiation- a
great many Things were said and done
al each of these meetings which might
well have occurred at general meet
ing where all could attend.
Each one of these organizations
wants something of the legislature.
Their wants need not conflict. The
board OF agriculture would like money
for a sheep barn. Otherwise 1t would
like to be let alone. unless the legis-
lature wants to help the greater Iowa
publicity bureau organized eight years
ago The fair managers want more aid
for the fairs. The park and forestry
people want rewriting of the game
laws and something new as 10 parks
ana making beauty spots along the
=.
viii seek a large appropriation for
carrying on their work. The livestock
men want the appropriation by the
state Of $4,000 for expenses in their
rate cases put back to the $4,000 mark
of the thirryfourth general assembly
or higher. They viii ask the governor
to recommend and the legislature to
grant sum TO handle the matter Of
valuation of railroads. TIE organiza-
ton of livestock men recommended
also raore money to be used n the max
ing of serum for the hog cholera These
are only a small part of the things that
are TO be asked of the thirtr-sixth gen.
eral assembly in the interest Of the
allied agricultural industries Of the
state: all of which indicates that as n
matter OF fact the demands upon the
legislature for things will not be any
the less because the last legislature
completed the most extensive program
of any in history.
It is a singular coincidence that each
one of the various organizations which
met this week has It's own and separ-
ate railroad rate Issue and it fight with
the railroads for favors. The quarrel OF
the board Of agriculture with the rail-
roads is well remembered. The reduced
round trip excursion rate hurt the state
fair. The county and district fair man
ayers also feel the effect of the cutting
off of the special rates. The fruit grow
ers have a controversy over discrimin
atoms, and insist the railroads have
built wall around the apple orchards
Of Iowa SO the growers can not ship far
away from home and compete witt
others. They presented their case soms
time ago but have got no decision. The
Corn Belt Meat Producers are i'm
mensely interested in the livestock
rates for they cut big figure in price.
and pocketbooks. The park and for.
estry people. even. are ready to take
up with the railroad managers certain
matters. for they want the railroad
companies to preserve along theil
rights Of way the native wild grasse:
and flowers. And of course the settled
policy Of the state, supported loyal,
By 81! Hhe have ~ do with the matter
is to see that all these interests arr
dealt with fairly.
A number of the members Of the leg
islature and members elect were her
during the week and talked of the stu
alton Speaker Cunningham ATTENDED