Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-04-14
PASSAGE OF ROAD BILL GREAT
VICTORY FOR PROGRESSIVE
REPRESENTATIVES,.
EXCELLENT LEGISLATION
is NOW A CERTAINTY
Features Of Amended Bill Adopted by
House and Certain to Be Passed by
senats-Essental Features Of Pres.
ent Law Observation-Disclosures
and Reform Committees Work.
Special to Times-Republican.

maneuvering by which the legislature
is brought up to a fine prospect OF
some excellent highway legislation, by
a sudden turn of affairs in the house,
the good roadsters of the house de-
serve great deal Of credit. They exc
cuted flank movement yesterday that
swept the Johnstonians off their feet
and the bill passed will almost GER
tainly go thru the senate without a
hitch. The features of the highway
bill are:
Requirement that the members of
the state highway commission shall
give bonds, as they do now without
law.
Payment Of travelling expenses of-the
commissioners to be paid while on
public business.
Printing of annual report and earlier
date for reports.
Authority for the commission to
make surveys for changes at railroad
crossings.
County engineers placed under con-
troll of the county boards, subject to
removal for cause by such boards or
for incompetency by the state COM
mission.
Inclusion of portions Of main trav-
eled roads within city limits within
county road system under certain con-
ditions.
Highway commission to give aid in
defense Of patent suits.
Highway commission given authority
to make changes in the established
system of county roads on petition.
Board Of supervisors to control all
bridges and culverts and pay for same
out Of county funds.
Board to furnish metal culverts but
township trustees to place them.
Township trustees required to make
fills at bridges and culverts.
All county road money, county road
building funds and drainage funds to
go into one county road cash fund.
Trustees to use their money on town
ship system or for elimination of
dangers at railroad crossings.
Provision for adding parts Of the
township system to the county road
system from time to time as finished. !
Commission to furnish standard
specifications fer bridges and culverts
and railroad crossings free.
Bridge and culvert work under $1,000
by day labor, over that sum must be
on contracts by advertising.
Any contract for one bridge or cul-
vert to cost over $500 must first be
approved by the highway commission.
Trustees to designate roads to be
dragged and employ superintendent.
s Use Of county machinery free on
township roads
Trustees report Jan. 1 and make
recommendations.
Auto license fund 80 per cent to
counties as now
Auto fund divided so that cities and
towns get share in proportion to I'M
paved streets, but in no case more than
10 per cent OF the fund which goes to
any county.
Auto fund in cities must be used on
unpaved roads.
Five per cent for highway commits
sion only for maintenance.
Repair work to mean all work cost
ing not over $50 mile.
Retrenchment Report.
The legislative committee on re-
trenchment and reform has prepared
report on its work during the legisla-
tive recess which will be filed today
with the two houses.
It will be recalled that the commit
tee, which is one provided for by the
laws of score of years ago. was en-
larged by the last general assembly,
given new duties and responsibilities
and authorized to sit and act between
sessions. Under this enlarged au-
thority the committee has undertaken
to supervise as to some department,
to give assistance to some officials ana
to require measures OF economy
wherever possible.
The present report relates TO the
measures Of economy that have peen
taken and what has been accomplished
in a practical way. The report SHOWS
that as result OF the work OF this
committee the state is saving at least
500, 900 a year, and other savings Will
follow.
BY reason Of the adoption OF the
suggestions made by the committee LOT
changes at the state capitol heat!ns
plant, for instance, a saving OF about
$4,000 year has been erected IN fuei.
Other Savings Made.
The board Of control reports saw
ing on about $4,000 a year on coal 1or
the state institutions by reason OF pur-
chase on the B. T. q. basis. The poaro
OF education mas IlOt iepoA 49, - -
all the institutions, but an estimate
from one which has reported Indicated
a saving Of about $4,000 year. The
plan could be adopted for the state
capitol, but saving has been erected
IN the better handling OF the cheap
grades Of coal purchased.
II the bill to reduce general assembly
employees passes the house It VIII erect
a saving of about $l2.00o}a session.
The document editor ought to save
the state at least $4,000, directly ana
in greater efficiency and results, ana
with other changes proposed as 10
printing and binding a total saving OF
$40, 900 a year is estimated.
The change in the auto plate scneme
will save see, 900 a year. In admins
tration OF the department the saving
will be $4,000. a year. On administra-
ton now, on the. cost basis, saving
OF about $4,000 has been Effected IN
this department. A saving OF at least
90, e0n is expected later.
I On the state :fafr q saving OF z.1O0
free tickets WAS effected.
The savings ii the change as TO the
custodian will be $1,000.
T,horo has hoen r0naiderable 90V.