Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-03-11
Special to Times Republican.

Special to Times Republican,.
Des Moines, March 1.-THE big hghe
on the bill to repeal the law as to the
highway commission commenced at
l: 80 this afternoon in the house, with
both sides grimly determined to fight
1t out to finish. The repealeru ara
confident they will be able to pass tho
bill thru the house. but admit there Ii
no chance &c set Il thru the senate.
1t Is expected all afternoon will be
taken up in debate
1t was rumored just before convenino
that the repealers had become dis
couraged and would seek some way
for delay and put 1t or another week
They have q number OF amendments
which they will offer. The opponents
Of the bin have prepared bill which
embodies all the good features Of the
repeal bill, but leaves the highway
commission in general control.
Present Law Popular.
If the house votes today to adopt the
Johnston bill providing for the aboli-
ton OF the state highway commission
which was created two years ago after
most careful and exhaustive study
Of the road problem, 1t will act oonA
rary to the wishes Of more than, ,three~
fourths Of the counties OF the zstass - ~ s
This is the claim Of many lsAGl1o
members of the Thirty-sxth ,8ausfa1
assembly. based upon letters feceive6
from supervisors, auditors and othaE
county officials and read before -
!rousing joint meeting of the high<
ways comittee Of the house ard eoAS
ate at the Savery hotel /st nighSs
Plead For lts Defeat.
A large number Of supervisors, An.
Guiding the legislative committee OF
the State Supervisors Association.
prominent members Of the Iowa State
Bankers Associations and others
stormed the meeting last night pleading
that the Johnston bill be defeated and
the highway commission be retained.
The sentiment was clearly exc
pressed, say the members, in reso-
luton drafted and presented at the
meeting by the good roads committee
of the state bankers association. It
reads:
THE Iowa State Bankers AssocfA-
ton is unalterably opposed to any
backward step in road legislation. The
present road law, enacted two years
ago. has fully justified itself and thru
its operation many thousands OF dollars
have been saved to the taxpayers OF
the state thru the improved methods of
the letting Of contracts for road and
bridge work In the various counties.
1t has made good start In giving
Iowa an intelligent. economical and
uniform system Of highways.
'rhe Johnston bill for the repeal
of the present road law would set our
state back at least five years in pro-
gressive road building. We believe
that the defeat Of the Johnston bill Is
necessary II Iowa is to obtain such
system of roads as the people SO much
desire
Teachers Pension Bill Defeated.
The house defeated the teachers an
nuity BILL which has been urged by the
educators Of tho state. The vote was
is TO ,G. BIZ. this will be reconsidered.
An amendment was added to exclude
those teachers whose compensation In
greater than $1,000 year. There was
much opposition to the bill because OF
fear 1t would involve the state in ex-
pense In the future.
The original vote was 50 to SO. Real
izing that the measure lacked a con-
stitutional majority, Representatives
Grayson, Michael, Horchem and Steel
smith changed their votes from aye
to no in order that they might move
to reconsider.
Pioneer Lawmakers Present.
For an hour this morning the ma
chinery of the legislature was stopped
while legislators OF half a century ago
united in praising their state. It was
the occasion Of the visit Of delegates
to the Iowa Pioneer Lawmakers As
sociation.
Drug stores Of the state will be de-
prived of the privilege Of selling LIQUOR
in any form II a bill by Dckenson is
passed by the general assembly. Tho
bill provides for the repeal Of the per.
mi Inv