Cresco plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1913-1945, 1915-03-19
(By George Gallarno)

Des Moines, Ia, March 16.-The big
battle of the present assembly, and
one for which the skirmish lines were
thrown out almost on the opening day
of the session, is to be staged in the
lower house this week. 1t will be a
tight to finish between the advocates
of the good roads law adopted by the
S5th general assembly. and the friends
of the old system of road supervision
and road making in Iowa. Both sides
have been intrenching for the contest
during the past week, and each side Is
equipped with 42-centimetre guns OF
oratory which will explode at proper
periods during the engagement. The
fury of the fighting will be staged
around the bill introduced early In
the session of the assembly by Rep
resentative Johnston of Lucas county,
with the submarine title of H. F. 2S2.
The Johnston measure would repeal
the present law in it's entirety and en-
act in it's stead a law far less drastic
in it's provisions. Those who have
watched the maneuyers OF the gen.
erals in both battle lines, and who are
themselves u,1Iased, or clearly neu-
trail, express the opinion that the re-
suit of the house fight is likely to be
a victory for General Johnston ana MS
cohorts. But, they argue. the john
stonites will get but small glory out
of the victory, for when the contest
is transferred to the battle line on the
south side of the corridor. that is the
senate side, they will find their army
greatly outnumbered. and will go to
sure defeat. Further it is declared
that should they by any feature OF SUI
preme strategy succeed in routing the
enemy on the southern line, they will
still have to fight for and capture
Fort Governor Clarke, and this Is re-
garded as an utter impossibility.
Altogether the battle will be royal
one, but the general opinion is that
all that will come from 1t Will De a
few amendments to the law, original
ing with Senator Balkema. member
of the 35th general assembly and a
firm friend of the law now on the
statute books.
Teachers Pension Bill In Doubt.
BY the narrow margin Of two vote3
the house defeated the bill by Rep
resentative Grason for teachers an
nuity or pension law. The meagre
margin by which the bill was beaten
has led its friends to believe that with
full attendance and more thor
ough understanding Of its provisions
it may be passed, and for that reason
a motion for its reconsideration has
been filed. 1t is known the bill has
many warm friends in the senate, and
it's advocates are sure If 1t can be
brought through the house 1t will en-
counter but small difficulty in the up
per branch of the legislature.
Local option Proposed.
Senator Eagemann. OF Bremen
county, has made an effort to Offset
the effect Of the repeal of the mulct
law by the introduction of a bill. pat
termed somewhat on the lines Of that
law, and providing way that saloons
may be established in cities and towns
of Iowa by majority vote OF the
electors. Senator Hagemann realizes
that the bill stands but small chance
of adoption by the present assembly,
but believes the committee on sup
preston of intemperance will report
it for passage and thus give him an
to explain its features to
all the members. The bill provides
that an election may be called In
cities on the question of establishment
of saloons, on the filing of petition
for the same signed by not less than
20 per cent of the voters at the last
election for mayor. and that
saloons shall be established II ma
jority of the qualified voters favor the
same. Two kinds of drinking places
are defined in the bill. One makes
provision only for the sale Of ale, wine
and beer, the latter not to contain
more than 6 per cent alcohol. For
such a place the tax is fixed at 5000
q year. II spirituous liquors are in
cluded the tax is to be $1,000 year,
and in each case the city has author
ity to levy additional tax, not to ex-
Cc0U $1,OUV u yC0ls A~O 0oAOOu S0AA w
within 300 feet of church
or school, the hours are from q. m.
to 9 D. M, and no gambling, music,
dice or billiards are allowed. Many
sections of the bill are devoted to
strict regulations OF the
traffic.
For State Packing House.
Senator Doran is favoring bill for
the establishment of a state packing
plant and stock yards. He would have
q statewide tax of two mills on the
dollar levied for the construction OF
the plant, which he declares is ito
protect the live stock interests of the
state against outside packing houses.
United States veterinarians and the
railroads"
Some BANKING Measures Favored.
The house has passed a bill which |