Cresco plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1913-1945, 1915-01-29
Committees Are Named and
LEGISLATORS Commence
Long Grind
EQUAL SUFFRAGE ASSURED
Little Doubt Of Passage Of Suffrage
Amendment = Cities To Ask For
| Home Rule-GOyerno in New Call
For Belgian Relief.
(By George Gallarno)

SOSA>
general assembly reconvened today,
after a recess taken last Thursday,
following the Inauguration of Cover
nor Clarke for his second term. Pres
ident Harding of the senate and
Speaker Atkinson of the house an
nounced their appointments to stand
ing committees for the session and
the assembly at once got down to the
serious business before it. There was
very little, if any criticism of the ap-
pointments made by the presiding o.
ficers of the two houses and it was
generally recognized that the irl-
portant chairmanships had been Wei
placed and that the work Of the as
sembly would be carried forward in
an orderly and business-like way.
Mr.. Lee Elwood, representative
from Howard county. was named as
speaker pro tenn of the house, and
Senator L. E. Crist, of Clarke county,
was made president pro tenn of the
senate.
Suffrage Amendment VIII Pass.
Despite the fact that women suf-
frage has had a second turn down in
the national legislature during the
past year, the advocates Of the con-
stitutional amendment for Iowa, are
not the least discouraged and are pre-
dieting that they will have much
easier victory this year than was OBJ
tanned in the 35th general assembly.
bo
cratic member from Clayton county:
is apparently the only uncompromis.
ing enemy Of suffrage in either house.
He declares his constituents, men and
women alike. are, if not bitterly OPP
posed, at least Indifferent on the ques-
ton of suffrage, and that he intends
to represent that sentiment. which
agrees with his own per-
sonal ideas, to the end. He expects,
however, to see the amendment
adopted by good majority in both
houses. Should this prediction be
verified. the question will be submit
ted to the voters at the regular cleo
ton in 1916. and if favored by ma
jority of the votes cast, the consti-
tuition of the state will at once be SO
as to embrace universal
suffrage.
Cities Want Home Rule.
The municipal league of the state,
through its legislative committee, will
ask the legislature for the adoption of
several important laws. Some of
these will affect only few cities and
others will be applicable to all cities
md towns. The most important bit
Df legislation to be asked for by the
league will be law giving home rule
to cities. The bill for this purpose,
and probably some others will be
at a meeting of the legis-
lative committee of the league to be
held in Des Moines this week. The
committee has secured the presence
here Of Professor Hatton, the Ohio ad-
vocate of hume rule. and he will aid
IN preparing the law and in creating
sentiment in its favor. Ohio has a
home rule provision in its constitu-
lion.
Another bill to be asked for by the
eague will be one fixing q minimum
scale Of wages for officers of cities
md towns. 1t has long been q rec
,gnized fact that city and town Off
Gals devote much time and perform
much labor in the government of the
and that the pay &C
corded them for their services is
small.
Along with this bill will be another |
state civil service law
or cities and towns, especially as re-
yards accounting officers. While the
titles and towns Of Iowa are remark
Lbly free from partisan politics in
heir government, they are not free |
rom factional strife, and 1t happens
'ften, as in the old political days
vhen to the victors belonged the |
polls Of office, SO today the faction
winning in its municipal contest has
Is friends to reward, and often the
rest and most efficient employees OF
he city are re1oved from office |
olely in order that the winning can
lidates may reward friends who have
lelped them to gain their victory. II
8 hoped by the officers of the NUM- |
ipal league that the legislature will |
zee its way clear to adopt laws that |
will overcome this constant changing |
Il employees in positions which are
lerical only.
Governor Calls for Belgian Relief.
Governor Clarke has issued . proc
calling on the chambers of |
commerce, the commercial clubs of |
he state. the various committees !,
for relief in Belgium and the
'eople of the state generally. to the !
act that the national commission for /
eiief in Belgium, the officially desig- ,
lated sole agency through which food !
upplies may be sent to that country, 4,
las concluded arrangements with the !,
department and with ex-
'ress companies whereby anyone in !,
America may forward foodstutr for
'elief in Belgium by parcel post or :
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