Omaha daily bee., 1914-02-02
ROADS CAMPAIGN ON IN IOWA
Highways Board Takes Steps to
Line Up Mahaska County.
LOCAL OFFICERS IGNORE LAW
ProEressive Element of County Has
become Aroused and Resistance
90 statute Probably VIII
End soon.

60 statute Probably VIII
Ena Soon.
DIES MONIES, Feb, i.-Cspecial.).-Th
worst spot in the state for rebellion
against the laws OF the state and refusal
on the part of officials 90 recognize the
state plan for systematizing highway con.
struction is about TO be reformed This
is in AIahaska county. when the State
Highway commission got down to busi-
ness last year and invited cooperation
from ali persons interested in good roads
IN the state. only a few counties refused
to cooperate. One Of these was Mahaska
county, where the officials OF the county
stubborniy refused to recognize the law
and did everything possible TO cbstruct
It's workings. The result was that very
little was accomplished IN the direction Of
laying foundation for good roads in the
county. The officials have gone on In
the old way. ignoring the law as TO
methods OF letting bridge contracts. etc.
Conferences Held.
Recently several conferences were held
in Des Moines By officials and others OF
the county and members Of the state
Highway commission and other state
officers. Then Thomas Mcdonald. state
highway engineer went to oskaloosa and
spoke before the Commercial club and
explained the workings OF the law. Later
a general meeting OF township trustees.
members OF the board and other officials
was held, at which members Of the state
commission spoke
The commercial and business interests
OF the city OF oskaioosa and the more
progressive element OF the farming COM
munity have become aroused 20 the sltua-
zion and have indicated a desire 10 END
the warfare and bring the county Into
line with others OF the state for better
roads II Is therefore regarded AZ quite
probable that a settlement will be ef-
fccted ana during the year the last OF the
recalcitrant county officials In the state
will come under state law
The state Highway commission is un-
tninlly active and busy at this season
OF the year and is making preparations
for a great year IN highway Improvement
for 1914. The declaration Ia made that
far more has been accomplished in the last
ak months than for nany years In get
ting ready for the inevitable paved roads
systems
Pr.pare 90 Use New Rates.
The state Railroad commission has
necelvei information that shippers all
over the state are preparing to take ad-
vantage OF the new rail rates soon 10 80
into effect. The schedules have not as
vet bean promulgated. but will be very
aoon. Just what will be the rates he
between eastern points and Iowa towns
ls not yet known, but better under
standing has been reached as 20 the
rates TO Colorado. Utah. Kanaas and
other points The Iowa manufacturers
do no. anticipate that these reduced or
eouailsed rates will be Of any advantage
10 them a. against houses located In
these western states, but will put the
Iowa people on footing with the Job
bars in Chicago. st. Louis and similar
cities These rates for the far west were
secured entirely by the efforts Of tho
Iowa Railroad commission and consti-
tnte the first step IN the direction Of
clearing Iowa from a handicap which
has existed ever since the iowa distance
tariff was adopted. When the rate ad.
justments are all finished Iowa VIII
simply be on an equality with other
states,
Iowa'n Largest Coal Mine.
The largest coal mine in Iowa 10 now
IA full operation In Lucas county. In
fact, II is said to be the largest coal
mine west Of the Mississippi river in
the valley. This is known as the Inland
mine, and the works have been in opera
ton for nearly three months. A recent
days work was 1ioo tons In seven hours.
The operators secured ono OF the largest
veins OF coal IN the state ana quietly
made preparations for big business, 20
that when the railroad was opened and
a siding in place they were ready 10 do
an enormous business II ls declared
that some Of the mines in Marion county
from which much was expected have
proved disappointing and that In at least
one case very costly top works was
erected which has been useless.
No Hope OF soietion Of Case.
The officials have virtually given up
sll hope OF ever finding out the real cause
o. the suicide OF Cashier wheeiock OF
the citIzena bank at colfax The bank
has been reopened under new manage
ment and is running along smoothly. The
prosecution OF Grocer @. II. York for
alleged white slavery" came 70 naught,
though disclosing where he was on the
night of the cashiers death. Now the
affairs OF York are IN the courts for
settlement. He claims he owed the bank
only ti2ooo whereas the books ct the
bank showed about $4,000 Hs overdrast
is certain TO have had some connection
with the financial troubles OF the late
cashier. but II probably will never be dis
closed why and how wheelock came 10
permit such an enormous overdraft with
nothing hack OF a. That the money
went In some mysterious way Is certain,
but every effort to find a clue 10 the