Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-03-27
GATHERED BY THE WAYsIDE

tendant 'on the legislature. The sec
rotary OF the association of manufac-
rurers has a busy time regulating al
most everything that nobody else is
watching. The railroad interests have
their ablest men on hand constantly
and the representatives of the railroad
orders of workingmen are here for the
entire session. The coal miners have
a committee at work all the time and
the operators have lobbyists under pay.
The chiropractors have had a local
lawyer employed to make a big fight
for their bill. which nobody in partic-
ular opposes. The W. c. T. u. and
kindred organizations of women have
here very we'll known lobbyist who
has been on hand at every session for
more than twenty years and is effec-
tive in many ways. The teachers have
done a large part Of their lobbying by
circular letter. The fight over the tel
ephones and public utilities has been
made both in person and by CORE
spondence. The petition method Of ap-
preaching members has almost gone
practically nothing.
But when lobbying is really at an end
it will be time to consider appointment
Of a dictator.
The other day local paper printed
story which left the impression that
one of the members Of the state high
way commission was absent from a
road meeting and failed to keep his ap-
pointment because of being too busy
lobbying with the legislature to save
the highway commission Nothing
could have been further from the truth.
The members Of the highway commits
sion have not been seen at the state
house this winter nor in Des Moines.
Early in the session the chairman of
the commission and the state highway
engineer did appear before commit
tee meeting held in the open house
chamber, by invitation, and spoke on
the work Of the commission. That was
all. Prior to the opening Of the session
the engineer had occasion to come to
the state house every week or two to
consult the legal department; but in
order to avoid even the appearance Of
engaging in lobbying he has apparently
cut out even these official visits. The
highway commission has done no lob
bying. Neither have the college heads
nor the institution heads done any lob
bying around the legislature. Neither
has the parole board nor board of con-
troll done any lobbying. In this respect
conditions are very much improved
over what they have been at other
times.
It would be we'll if the rest Of the
state would be as cheerful about the
rivalries, real or alleged between the
senate statesmen over who should get
ahead in the gubernatorial race, as
those who are advertised as most con-
cerned in 1t. There has been, OF course,
an understanding that President Hard
ing is looking forward to higher hon.
ors. 1t is certain that Joe Allen has
aspirations that way. The rest Of the
gossip circling around the senate
chamber is without foundation. Leslie
Francis has not been playing to get
into the race for governor. Cady Chase
INDUCES in some jokes about his
candidacy Senator Clarkson may
have aspirations but he is not relying
on them. There is lot OF good natured
chatting about this situation. Every
now and then a remark comes out
about the wishes Of the gubernatorial
candidates. "Why, if vote for this
measure it will put me entirely out of
the race for governor" shouted Chase
the other day. The presiding officer
gets in sly jab at the other fellows
occasionally. the senator from Mon
roe can not refrain from joshing the
other boys about candidates.. There
are strong rivalries, as might be ex-
pected, where strong men meet and
clash: but the men are all big enough
to handle the matter With GOOD cheer.
But none of them forget that George
Cosson is busy.
The politics Of the session has cen
tered about just two things-highway
legislation and temperance legislation.
There is no denying that In the matter
Of temperance legislation the members
have been trying to meet tho wishes
Of their constituents and have been
listening to the voice OF public senti-
ment. In regard TO highway legislation
the real explanation of the apparently
irreconcilable breach between factions
is q difference in judgment as to what
the people want. It will remain to be
determined later which side,' on both
these controversies, has best sensedl the
situation. In both the house 1ad the
senate there has been a good deal Of
trying to take care Of each members