Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1914-12-31
Iowa lakes the Lead.

Iowa Takes the Lead.
Iowa is rapidly taking the lead
among the western states in the mat
ter Of improving public highways"
said Charles Wagner, a Des Moines
member of the committee which at
tended the national convention of
road builders in Chicago. Men vital
ly interested in the matter OF build
ing roads were present at the conven-
ton and great benefit is bound to
follow for all parts of the country.
While there was no one great i'm
provement demonstrated in the way
OF construction there were hundreds
Of lesser advances shown which will
have their effect during thai next
year. Iowa was well represented
and the interest shown indicates that
our own state will spend thousands
Of dollars In 1915 to better the high
ways. All kinds Of material will be
used. Concrete is advancing rapidly
and reports from all parts of the
United States indicate that this ma,
terial will be used more extensively
than ever for road building. Perman-
emit highways are the coming feature
Of the mj Idle west and probably no
other part OF the country will show
more activity during the coming year
than our own state"
Changes Urged In OFFICES.
In his biennial report to the coun-
ty accounting department, to be filed
soon with the governor. Joseph Wall,
chief OF the division, will recommend
that the legislature fix definite salar-
les for county officers, and that the
fee system and the regulation of sal
aries by county supervisors be aban-
doned. Especially the salaries OF
sheriffs, treasurers, supervisors anC
county superintendent of schools
need adjusting he says. At present
there is no uniform rate of salaries,
and officers in all the different coun-
| ties receive different amounts. The
boards of supervisors are empowered
| to set a salary above the minimum
allowed, and this is done in most In
stances. The treasurer depends en-
tirely upon the collections OF his OF.
fee. The system is an antiquated
one. and should be stopped, accord.
ing to Mr.. Wall.
The supervisors themselves are
asking for new regulations. BY tie
plan now used they are paid on the
asis of 81 day for all time put In,
and are allowed cents a mile for
travelling expenses. They want the
rate set at an average Of 81 a day
for the year, and wish to be allowed
to draw on the county for necessary
travelling expenses.
To Appeal Court Ruling.
| w. c, Brown, state treasurer, assert
ed that the state will appeal to the
United States supreme court from the
decision of the Iowa supreme court in
the case of Mary Ann McKeown VS..
w. w. Morrow, former state treasurer
! In this case the court held that the
Iowa collateral inheritance law con-
nicts with the United States treaty
with Great Britain-hence residents Of
Great Britain are required to pay but
per cent collateral inheritance tax.
The treasurer's department maintains
that the foreign heirs are required to
pay 20 per cent tax on collateral In
heritances. The treaties with foreign
countries have given the state consid.
cradle difficulty In collateral inner
| itances The supreme court recently
held that the Iowa law does not con.
fict with the treaty with Denmark,
but in another case It says II does
conflict with the treaty with Great
Britain.
State Department Fixes Fec.
Instructions were sent out by A. c.
Gustafson, secretary to the governor,
to the county clerks directing them
to charge 81 for the issuance of pass
ports in the future. OF this amount
81 will go to the federal government
and the remaining dollar must be ac-
counted for by the clerk in the usual
way. The clerks are being advised
that persons wishing passports intend
ing to visit foreign countries, must
appear before the clerk of the dis
trict court and swear to their appli-
cation. The request which is sent
to Washington must be accompanied
by unmounted photographs OF the
person who proposes to travel. One
Of these photos is attached to the
passport when issued.
State Superintendent Active.
State Supt. Deyoe and also several
of his office force have been out late
ly doing much visiting Of the schools
Of the state. They are especially ac-
tive in visiting some OF the new con-
solidated schools and the schools
wherein special vocational work is I'M
dertaken. Inspector Fuller attended
the meeting of superintendent and
principals and reports that it was
one OF the best new things which
has been done in Iowa school work
for long time. The educational de-
partment is aiding high schools.
State OFFICES In New Quarters.
The offices OF j. H. Henderson. csm-
merce counsel; Ole o. Roe, state fire
marshall; DR.. J. /. Gibson, state vet
erinarian. and the rate department Of
the railroad commission are being
moved from the state house to the
fat building near Tenth and Grand
avenue. The state board of education
is making arrangements to move into
the Swanson fats at Twelfth and Cap
itol avenue.