Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-02-08
Iowa Legislature Will Be Asked
for Help by Com
TRADE BODIES IN SUPPORT

rection ana the railroads are spending
vast sums Of money in the state getting
ready for the advance in rates 1t seemt
to be the plan first to so educate the
public 10 the idea that higher rates are
needed that the officials having TO dea
with the question will be embarrassed.
In this work. the railroads have Just
secured the cooperation of very power.
\ full interests. The organised commercial
bodies Of the state, and especially the
bodies which are composed OF jobbers and
other shippers. are urging that there be
no legislation at ell to hamper the rail-
roads. It is expected they will also use
all their influence for the higher rate for
passenger service in the state. Mem
bers OF the legislature are receiving letters
and resolutions from the officials OF these
bodies A number Of railroad bills are
being disposed of in the hope that be-
fore the session is over the really inns
portant ones win be considered
LeEiaIatfOn We. Investigation.
The Thirty-sixth general assembly. In
which the house at least was elected
largely as q protest against the good
things done by the previous legislature.
naturally developed the mania for in
vestisation and especially for any kind
Of Investigation that would show that
everything done In the past Is wrong.
That is what the members said when
they were running for office; now they
have to make good
There are all sorts Of Investigations on
hand. The senate has been investigating
itself to see whether or not It is really
trying 10 do business as economically as
possible. Nearly every important COM
mittee has had presented to Il more or
less sensational accusations against sonae4
body or against some board or state
official, with q view to compelling In
vestigation. The principal thing accom-
plished is to give the professors a chance
to get before the public with their accu-
sations In q form that will be understood
to be az least semi-cfficial.
In the meantime the older and more
experienced legislators are busy with try
ing to get through the various commit
tees the essential bills which win finally
be enacted into law. They say there IL
vast amount OF really good legislation
proposed here and that the legislature
dare not adjourn until it has considered
this legislation carefully.
As to Property Assessments.
Reports to the state officials regarding
property assessments in the state that
are being made this year Indicate that
there is a great deal OF confusion arising
from the fact that this is the first time
real estate assessments have been made
since the state officials undertook to
compel real compliance with the law
as to assessments at actual value.
In some townships there Is a desire 10
comply with the law and to have the
assessments right. But In others there
Is the same old scheme to make Their,
Just as low as possible and to compel the.
executive council TO bear the burden OF
putting valuations up to something like
what is necessary. But the state officials
cannot discriminate as between the town
ships or taxing districts where assess
ments are fair and those where the as
sessments are grossly unfair The result
VIII be that II the low ones are raised to
g proper point the high ones will be-
raised too high. There is much inquiry
from out in the state as to what to do.
Teachers Pension LeginIation.
The movement for a tax to pay teachers
pensions seems to have progressed far
enough so that It is reasonably certain
II viii be adopted. The bill being urged
for this purpose provides that the
beneficiaries shall also pay into the gem
eral fund for the pensions The teachers
who have taught six years or over may
come into the list OF availabIes on paw
ment of 50 per year and those who have
taught over-fifteen years shall pay 1880
a year until total OF 500 has been paid.
and on their retirement they shall nav an |
additional $500 Any teacher, It is pro-
vided, may retire after having taught |
twenty-five years, the annuity being
graded from 500 year 70 $500 a year. |
The teachers OF the state have secured |
very strong backing for this bill.
Teo Many RaiIrona Crossfnxs.
The belief Is growing that IN due time
me counties VIII undertake the task of I
reoacins the number Of crossings Of rail-
ROADS ana highways. The investigation
y the state Highway commission shows
hat there are all too many crossings II
n the state. 1t win be an enormous ex-
oense to have these crossings fixed 50
hat they are safe for travel in view OF
he changed travel conditions ana espe-
tally the universal use Of the automobile.
There are S.oI6 OF these crossings outside
{ cities and towns. On the county roads
here are l.6ss Of these crossings. There
re 300 OF the crossings that are classed
" the commission as dangerous. They
ave scheduled Tor Improvement ninety
{ tiFese crossings. surveys and plans have
eep made for sixty of them. ana eighteen
ave been completed II Is expected a |
arse amount OF work win be done this
ear IN making the crossings safe, but
til there viii be entirely TOO many OF
hem.
Child Labor Legislation.
A fierce battle Il promised in the gem
raj assembly over the question OF IeEis-
alton 70 protect children. Several buls
re pending for this purpose They ali !
contemplate limiting the hours OF serv-
&C., or fixing wages OF providing for sani-
airy and healthful conditions. or forbid
he labor OF children in places that are
'azardous. But a great opposition has
cen stirred up by employers Of child
Abor. who see IA this movement some
hing that will affect their business.
hey are preparing 70 make war on all