Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1915-02-11
THE HIGHWAY BOARD.
COMMITTEES OF SENATE AND
HOUSE DISCUSS WORK OF
STATE COMMISSION.
NO DEFINITE ACTION TAKEN
Several Members Are In Favor of Fix
ing Exact Amount That May Be Al
lowed for Running Expenses
Patrol Bill Laid Aside.

Des Moines.-While no definite ac-
tion wasstaken at the meeting OF the
Joint subcommittee of the senate and
house on highways the sentiment ex-
pressed by members was that some
steps should be taken to reduce the
amount of money allowed the state
highway commission for running ex-
penses.
Senator Jones Of villisca expressed
himself as favoring plan to deter
mine the exact amount the commits
sion needs instead of allowing 1t s
per cent of the automobile tax and
an additional $4,000. which aggre.
gates in excess Of 800 900.
The subcommittee voted TO recon-
mend to the highway committee of
both houses that section of the road
law which requires the adoption by
the board of supervisors and the pub
lication OF a resolution of necessity
on all contracts costing more than
5000 be repealed Suggestion was
made that the resolution be required
on all contracts costing more than
$1,000, but the committee by unani-
nous vote decided there was no use
whatever for the adoption OF resolu-
ton of necessity.
Senator Balkema's bill to provide
for the speedy acquisition of private
land for road purposes was acted upon
favorably. Boards OF supervisors will
be authorized to assess the damages
and proceed with the work of building
the road. The property owner may
protest If his objections are over
ruled, he may appeal to the district
court The board will act as the APP
praisal jury.
The purpose of the law is to enable
supervisors to avoid unnecessarily ex-
pensive bridges or grades and to
avoid railroad crossings. 1t will also
enable the supervisors to straighten
roads. to cut off dangerous corners
or to prevent encroachment of
stream on public highway.
The subcommittee also acted favor
ably on plan to provide the same
rules for grading as now apply to
bridge work
road patrolmen was laid aside. The
majority of the subcommittee is of
the opinion 1t would not be best to
adopt such measure at this time
Suggestion was made that the farm
ers be required to patrol the roads
along their land.
The majority OF the members of the
subcommittee expressed themselves
as favoring scheme to give the
township trustees a portion OF the au-
tomobile tax and permit them to in
stall temporary culverts.
Senator Farr of Woodbury. asserted
that 80 per cent of the objections to
the present road law could be elimi-
mated by making such provision.
Bills Aimed at Liquor Traffic.
Persons who solicit or accept or
ders for the sale or shipment OF liquor
will be guilty OF bootlegging IL bill
introduced in the senate by Whitmore
Of Ottumwa becomes a law The
measure was referred to the commit
tee on the suppression or intemper-
ance.
Wilson OF Centerville offered
measure in the senate providing that
fines and forfeitures in liquor cases
shall go to the general fund of the
county instead of to the school fund.
With the introduction Of these bills,
the committee on the suppression of
intemperance now has more than a
score of bills to pass upon. Chairman
Eversmeyer has not yet appointed the
subcommittee authorized at the first
meeting OF the committee last week.
Former Secretary Wilson Speaks.
"Tama Jim" Wilson. former secre-
tary of agriculture. now retired at
Traer. Iowa, gave an interesting dis
cussion of the foot and mouth disease
before a joint session of the senate
and house. Mr.. Wilson declared the
state ought to appropriate 100000 a
year to be used for fighting just such
epidemics as the present one. He
encouraged the raising of live stock
so that the grain raised on Iowa farms
might be fed in this state as much
as possible.
Suffrage Resolution Presented.
A joint suffrage resolution was in
troduced in the senate by Allen Of
Pocahontas. 1t is regarded as GER
tain that the measure will pass. The
suffragists claim to have pledges from
sufficient number Of legislators to
insure its adoption. The suffrage
leaders will do no lobbying nor will
they send a committee before the
legislature.
Want Pay Twice Month.
Senators have been flooded with Pc
titions from all over the state urg-
ing the passage OF bill introduced
by Frailey OF Fort Madison provid-
ing for semi-monthly payment OF
wages by railroads. The 10000 or
more railroad employees of the state
are vitality interested in the bill. Un-
der the present system they are fore
ed oftentimes to wait more than a
month for their pay. which does not
enable them to take advantage OF the
opportunities to secure necessities at
a reduced price by paying cash.
Would Build Motors at Prison.
Warden Sanders OF the Fort Madi-
son penitentiary was in conference
with the board OF control with ref
erence to the plans of establishing
motor truck industry at the prison.
I He reported that the plans for the