Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-05-20
MEMBERS ALL IN DIES MONIES TO
TAKE UP IMPORTANT CON-
TRovERslEs.
ASKED TO DO MANY THINGS
NOT AUTHORIZED BY LAW
Train Service on Branch Lines Being
considered-CounciI Bluffs Depot
Case Still Hanging Fire-Exeeutive
Council Decides to Handle Auto
Plate Contracts.

Special to Times Republican.
Des Moines. May 20.-Now that all
members Of the state railroad commits
sion are here and hard at work on the
various matters before the commission,
paying no attention to the political talk
and chatter that goes on about, some
decisions may be expected very soon In
long deferred cases. 1t is almost GER
tain. however, that in quite number
of the big cases the petitioners and
complainants are doomed to disap-
pointment ,as the board has been asked
to DO lot Of things that seem to be
entirely beyond the scope Of the law
and the authority of the board. How
ever so far as known. no conclusion has
been reached by the commissioners,
and this will be worked out in the next
few weeks. Among the important cases
pending are the following:
The branch line train service cases.
There are two of these with principles
that are controlling. The Calmar
branch of the Milwaukee operates one
Train d UGS SdCI way. anu the Ak Wis
insist this does not care for the bust
ness and they are entitled to some
thing better. The state law also comes
IN with a positive declaration that two
trains a day or more shall alone be
deemed adequate passenger service. On
this latter and a general showing as
70 conditions along the line relief may
be granted.
The Algona branch line case is
little different. There are two trains
a day now, and third one stops short
before proceeding over the entire line.
What is wanted is that the other train
shall go 10 the end or additional train
be placed in commission to accommo-
date Des Moines trade.
The Council Bluffs union depot case
IS still hanging fire. It involves large
ly an Interpretation of the law as to
the rights Of the state IN compelling
the erection of union stations under
conditions like those at Council Bluffs.
The railroads made a strong showing
as to the expensiveness of the pro-
posal and lack Of business to warrant
the outlay, and also as to the weakness
Of the law in the matter Of meeting
such conditions. The legislature re-
fused to strengthen the law.
The Cascade branch line widening
case is still hanging fire. The Mil
waukee company made showing Of
the enormous cost of making a stand
ard guage road there, and there is con-
hicting testimony as TO the amount Of
business to be had over the lire. The
chief complaint is in regard to ship
ment OF livestock which required
transfer from the narrow cars to the
standard size. The compliments also
made counter showing on estimate
of cost Of reconstruction.
The Atlantic Southern case involving
an order for operation Of a bankrupt
road has not yet gone to the commits
sion.
The state executive council has taken
the matter of handling the contract
for the auto plates into its own hands
and Secretary Dawson is sending out
to about twenty-five different COM
panies request for suggestions on the
specifications that are to be put out.
In the past there has been serious
complaint on the part Of some Of the
bidders that the specifications were
such that they could not compete.
The plan Of the council Is to have
specifications so that all makers Of
plates may compete and bid on identi-
cal things, then to let the contract to
the lowest bidder. It Is anticipated
that the board Of control. following out
the suggestion embodied IN the law
by the legislature Will secure estimate
on the cost Of having the work done
at the state prison and Warden
Sanders will make a bid for the work.
The legislature distinctly approved OF
the plan OF having the work done by
the prisoners at Fort Madison and as
the work now all goes to distant cities
there can be no possible objection on
the ground of having the prison labor
Iowa. The Job is big one but makers
interfere with any other labor in
plate-making business to nicely and
very little skilled labor is needed.
800
There viii probably be a large class
in law examination here for the June
/ quiz under direction Of the state
law examining board. Already forty
or more have registered their appli-
cations and they have until Saturday
to file their papers and make Show
ing. This will be examination which
precedes the one for the law class a,
the state university
| The executive committee of the
state board OF asricu iture viii to11ay
open bids on the new sheep barr
which the legislature appropriated fol
as an addition to the states equipmen,
for the state fair purposes. The barr
will be an open pavilion much like tina,
] for the swine but not nearly so large
-.