Omaha daily bee., 1915-01-18
RAILROADS ATTACK
THE TWO-CENT FARE
Carriers Are Laying Foundation for
Attack on Law in the Hawkeye
Legislature This Winter
LOBBY IS WELL PREPARED
From a staff CJrr6spondentD

from staff CdrrtspOndent)
DBS MONIES, la, Jam 17-(SpecalO
Members OF the legislature today re-
ceived information that the railroads are
taking steps looking toward the repeaI
or change of the 2-cent fare law In this
state. Some Of the members have re-
ceived communications indicating the
railroads will have quite a good deal
to do with the legislature and ask a
great many things.
But one Of the first things is to at
tack the 2-ccnt fare They will claim
that the Interstate Commerce commission
has in effect decided that 2 cents q mile
is not remunerative and they will show
that under the decisions of the courts
1t will be possible Tor the commission
to compel an increase I'm rates in Iowa
despite the law. 1t Is known that the
railroads have organized a news agency
hero, which is undertait,nE 10 gata con-
troll of various avenues OF dissemination
of news and are preparing TO do some
advertising in order 10 fix the news
papers They have provided for the
usual lobby to look after their interests
This may develop into one OF the big
features Of the entire legislative session.
SuffrRGists' Headquarters.
The equal suffragists of Iowa are pre-
pairing for more determined attack upon
the legislature than ever before and are
expecting much opposition TO having the
constitutional amendment put up TO the
people. They have secured rooms in a
downtown office building and will main
tain open headquarters for their propa-
ganda. This will also be the point from.
which they will manage a statewide
campaign to follow I'm case they induce
the legislature to put the amendment
up to the people for a vote next year.
The amendment has passed one branch
of the assembly.
Extra Help Problem.
committee of the legislature is wrest-
ling with the problem Of extra help about
the building during the session. II has
been customary for tho legislature to
employ a number of extra janltors and
others to keep the state house clean
during the session, rs the ordinary force
Is not competent to do the work even
without the legislature in session. But
many of the members desire that the
number of persons on the extra help list
be materially reduced and the commit
tee is investigating TO see what can be
done II is admitted that some of the
janitors and doorkeepers are unneces-
sary and that many Of tine stenographers
will have very little to do But how 10
arrange 1t to leave with the smallest
amount Of unnecessary help is another
question.
Public service Rivals.
In the matter of light and heat there is
controversy on in Des Meines that bids
fair to rival the one over the street car
franchise. Promoters are here endeavor-
ing TO secure a franchise for a heating
and lighting plant. They are reported 10
have abundant financial ability and many
OF the business men favor franchise
especially since IL promises a public heat
ing plant 70 serve the business district
Now the Des Moines Electric company Il
planning to put in heating plant. II
already operates eight OF them. but in
smaller cities. II is experimenting in
Champaign. H.. and Oskaloosa, Ia, with
a system of vapor heating as opposed to
the distribution OF heat with steam, and
promises that II the experiment is a sue,
| cess a plant will be placed in Des Moinos
al great expense.
Fight TO Sell state Land.
II is learned that q small group OF mem.
bers Of the legislature have banded TO-
(Continued on Page Two. Column Three i