Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1914-09-17
Iowa Liability Law Exclaimed.

sion in the machinery building at the
state fair, several thousand employ
ers of the state have clearer under
standing of the workmen's compen-
sation law and its operation. War
rem Garst, commissioner, and Welker
Given, secretary, alternated in the
missionary work at the exposition
grounds.
Many OF the farmers were inclined
to jolly the industrial department be-
cause the legislature exempted the
farmer from complying with the en-
ployers' liability law.
All forms of labor except farm La.
Dor, domestic servants and persons in
purely clerical capacity are protected
under the new law.
"Why aren't we farmers under that
there law, too inquired one Of the
farmers of Commissioner Garst.
81 don't know, unless 1t is that the
farmers take too big a part in pol
itics,' replied the commissioner,
A number of the farmers declared
that farm labor should be protected
from industrial accidents as well as
factory hands. Others felt that the
individual farmer should not be re-
quired to carry burden of paying
for Industrial insurance.
The big result to the Industrial
world of the work of the commission
at the fair Is that number of the
employers who had previously re-
jected the law, after having had it ex-
planned thoroughly, signified their In
tention Of coming under the measure.
The misunderstanding in some of the
cases was on minor points which
seemed big in the eyes of the en-
ployer. but which were dangers which
did not exist, the commission stated.
Iowa Automobile Law.
Complaint has been made in sever
al newspapers that the secretary OF
state does not properly enforce the
law regarding autos when the facts
are that the secretary has no author
ity to do so.
The Iowa law in regard to the reg
istration and regulation of motor We
hicles confers no power whatever on
the secretary Of state, from whose Of
fee it is administered, to enforce the
same. This officials duty in the prem
ises is purely ministerial. He re-
ceives applications for registration Of
machines and II they are found suf-
ficient and accompanied with the prop
er fees he issues the permits and fur.
nishes the number plates. The secre.
tary cannot even revoke a license
when once issued except on the order
of trial court in which the offender
may have been convicted.
During the present year more than
100000 automobiles have been regis
tered in Iowa, being over $4,000 more
than during the year 1918. The law
is such, however, that IL every one OF
these cars was running without Ii
cense the secretary of state could not
send out a single man from his office
or use single dollar of the publio
funds to prevent it.
Col. Palmer Takes Office.
Adj. Gen. George A. Newman re-
turned to Des Moines with the Iowa
delegation from Detroit. He TENT OF
the first order signed hy Coli 1vsJ
Palmer of Iowa as commander fin chief
of-the G. A. R. In it COLONEL Palmer
assumed the office and designated the
department office in the state house
at Des Moines.
Mr.. Newman, who was appointed
n will in tct-
ant adjutant general OF the Iowa de-
partment of the G. A. R.. holding the
two offices. He will remain in tha
same room at the capitol and will
have one more assistant, Miss Flodd,
who has been in the Office of the COM
mander in chief for number OF
years. She will come here from De-
troit. where she is now closing up the
books OF the former administration.
Colonel Palmer went to his home
at Washington. He win probably
spend the most OF his time at the Of
fee in Des Moines. His term as rail-
road commissioner expires Jan. 5,
1915.
iowa q. n. X. Pleased.
Iowa veterans of the civil war ne
holding jubilees wherever they hap
pen to meet over the election at De-
troit Of Col David r. Palmer to the
position OF commander-in-chief of the
Grand Army of the Republic.
For long time it has been. the am
bition of Iowa veterans to have an
Iowa man for commander, but they
have not before had this ambition
gratihed. Des Moines veterans find
particular cause for satisfaction in
the additional fact that Colonel Palm
er has appointed George A. Newman
Of Des Moines adjutant general, which
will bring the headquarters Of the
Grand Army for the whole country to
Des Moines.
Supreme Court Clerk.
The clerk OF the supreme court to
serve during the coming two years.
beginning with the term starting Jan.
1, 1915, will not be appointed until
after the election, Nov s. Supreme
court judges have expressed their de-
sire to let the appointment go over so
that II there are any new members
elected to the bench they will have
vote on who shall be clerk.
Railroads Ask Advance In Rates.
An advance of one-half cent a mile
T. s..x1 a. x.,trr -