Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1915-04-22
BLOW TOTELEPHONE
SPECIAL HOUSE COMMITTEE
PosTPoNEs MEASURE BACKED
BY PHONE COMPANY.
SHAKEUP IN STATE PRINTING
Bill is Kicked Into Oblivion, And
Committees Verdict Means Death
For the Measure Which Was Backed
BY Iowa Telephone Company.

/
telephone companies indeterminate
franchise and restricting competi-
ton, was reported for indefinite post
ponement by the special house tele-
phone committee after several weeks
of investigation.
A minority report was filed by
Representative Tucker and Rogers in
favor Of the passage of the Crist
bill, providing that joint service may
be forced by the state railroad COM
mission.
The committees verdict spells death
for the measure which was backed
by the Iowa Telephone Company. The
Crist bill limits the power Of the
railroad commission to regulate Joint
service. The larger telephone COM
panies are said to be opposed to the
measure.
The Francis bill, companion OF
the Jones bill, is awaiting considera-
ton in the senate, but the commit
tees report is expected to result in
its defeat.
The committee on retrenchment
and reform has exonerated State
Printer Henderson and State Binder
Jameson from complaints of extrava-
garce lodged with the investigating
body by Publisher ]. NJ. Peirce OF
Des Moines. The committee will re-
commend the re-appointment of both
Henderson and Jameson for another
term.
Loan Shark Bill Passes.
The Thompson loan shark bill was
passed by the senate. 1t will prohibit
money lenders from charging more
than per cent interest a month. At
the present time there Is no limit.
The measure must be approved by the
house and the governor before 1t will
| become a law. The measure Is pat
termed after the Missouri law. The
author declares that in Missouri II
has proved satisfactory. Senator Farr
succeeded in having an amendment
tackled to the bill which provides that
loan agencies may charge not more
than 81 for inspection and that the
total charges for recording and other
things shall not exceed 10 per cent
of the loan up to $50 and that the
total charges shall not exceed IS on
any loan. Thompson said that at two
per cent a month on small loans, II
will be practically impossible for loan
sharks to exist. Senator Farr asserts
that in Sioux City where a number
of persons run loan agency on two
per cent basis, they merely break
even.
| Sidetracked Third Time.
For the third time the Balkema bill
to give supervisors power to condemn
land needed to straighten crooked
roads, to avoid dangerous railroad
crossings, or to avoid the necessity OF
building bridges was sidetracked in
the house by those who supported the
Johnston bill. On other occasions the
ruling faction had sent the bill to the
| foot of the calendar without giving
any reason for their unwillingness to
have 1t considered This time, Klink-
or of Crawford forced a discussion Of
the bill when he moved to call it up
and consider 1t. He pointed out that
it was legislation badly needed. Kopp
of Henry, one of the leaders of the
Johnston crowd. warned the members
that consideration OF the Balkema bill
would irritate the situation with re.
/ gard to the bigger road measures.
Wants Hotel Inspector.
The senate public health commit
tee agreed on a bill which has been
filed providing for the appointment OF
a hotel inspector. Hitherto the in
| spection has been made by the sani-
| tary engineer and three assistants.
| Travelling men Of the state are said
to have brought considerable pres
sure to bear to secure the introduce
ton of the bill. The Perkins bill.
which would require chiropractors
and others to spend as much time
preparing themselves for the profess
sion as doctors do for their profess
sion, will be reported to the senate
without recommendation by the COM
mittee.
Special Agent Bill Passes. .r,A
The Cosson special agent bill pro-
viding for the employment of four
special agents under the direction of
the governor was passed by the sem
ate after a long debate. The vote
was IS for and 81 against. The bill,
known as H. F. No. 9S, had been re-
| ported out OF the senate committee
| for indefinite postponement, but the
report OF the committee was rejected
| by vote of 26 to 81.
| Suffrage Issue.
The senate passed the bill provid-
ing for the submission OF the equal
suffrage amendment to the people in
the primaries In 1916. AS the house
has passed the bill it will now go to
the governor for his signature. Miss
Flora Dunlap, who was present when
the vote was taken, explained that
the association already has organized
| torty-seven counties in the state and
that before the end Of the year the
campaign will have been spread into
every county. The vote on the bin
was 80 to IA.
Turned Back to House.
The Allen Whitmore bill providing
| for confiscation of automobiles found
| to be carrying liquor intended for IL
iepal uses bounced right back onto