Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1915-07-15
RATE FIGHT IS ON.
STATISTIcIANS OF IOWA RAIL
ROAD COMMISSION ON
THE JOB.
DAKOTA MAN is IN CHARGE
Lines Wish Advance In Interstate Pas
senser notwithstanding To the
Commissioners They Are Prepared
To Make a Good Case.

To Make a Good Case.
Des Moines.- Statisticians OF the
Iowa railroad commission are in Chi
cago to assist in the battle before the
interstate commerce commission
against the proposed increase in pas
senger rates from 2 to ~ cents a
mile.
Since the hearing in opposition to
the advance in freight rates opened
last March, Clifford Thorne, chairman
of the Iowa commission, has had
men at work preparing for the
passenger rate fight. According to the
commissioners. they are prepared to
make good case.
While Mr.. Thorne managed the
freight hearings, p. w. Dougherty,
member of the South Dakota railroad
commission, has been in charge of
the passenger proposition. Sixteen
western states have furnished experts
and, in addition, each state has pre-
pared to present evidence as to the
effect the raise would have on that
state.
While the freight advance will hit
the west harder than the passenger
raise, the latter appears to be more
important to the traveller because 1t
hits his pocketbook sooner. There
fore the commissions of the sixteen
western states which combined to re-
sist the rates. have had plenty of CO.
operation.
The statisticians say they are pre-
pared to show the interstate COM
merce commission that the railroads
of the west are making good returns
on the investment in passenger equip
ment and the operation of passenger
trains. so that 1t is not necessary to
increase rates one-half cent a mile.
1t is expected that two weeks will be
required to present the case to the
commission. E8
The proposal OF the railroads is to
advance interstate fares in the west
ern territory. II they are successful,
it is said the roads will then attempt
to raise passenger fares within the
states having cent fare laws in eff
feet. Iowa is one of these states.
VIII Pass Through Iowa.
Adj. Gen. F. S. Dixon, head of the
Illinois National guard, is making
preparations to pass through Iowa
with regiment of militiamen, bound
for San Francisco. According to Ad-
jutant General Logan, there will be
more than 600 men in the party and
three special trains will be used. The
railroads are making scramble for
the business. 1t is proposed to de-
train at some of the Iowa cities for a
parade.
Corporation Blanks.
The secretary of states Office is
sending out to corporations in Iowa
the blanks on which they are required
to report. The number of corpora
tions in the state is gaining steadily.
The Iowa corporations are required
to report each year in July to the
secretary Of state and to pay an an
nual fee of one dollar. After filing
its report and paying the fee the sec
rotary issues to the corporation its
annual permit.
State Board OF Health Meets.
The state board of health convened
to take up some important business.
1t will make adjustments to meet the
requirements Of the new state laws.
The appointment of chief hotel in
spector is one OF the important mat
tiers. Representative Reese of Bel
mond is mentioned as prominent
candidate. Two physicians will be
given trials, one on charge Of false
advertising and the other on charges
of immoral conduct.
Commissioners on Salary. :
George Newcomb of Creston, mem
Der of the state pharmacy commission,
arrived in Des Moines to begin work
under the new law which became ef-
fective July 4. He will have charge
of the enforcement of the pharmacy
law in Polk county. The commits
sioners go on salary basis. Iowa
is the only. state with pharmacy
commission which receives salaries.
In all other states the commissioners
are on per diem basis.
Has Issued $500 Renewals.
The governors office has issued re-
newals to $500 notaries OF the state.
All old commissions expired July 4.
Persons who have documents acknowl-
edged before notaries should ascer-
tain that the notary has renewed
his commission. The state has receiv-
ed s29. 900 in fees for the renewals at
the rate of IS each.
Vets May Test MuIct Law.
State officials do not take serious
ly the reports that the bill to repeal
the mulct law is invalid because the
legislature did not provide for the
publication of the session laws An
other alleged fault is that the measure
names Jan. i, 1916, as the date OF
going into effect, instead of July 4.
The attorneys say that II the law is
knocked out by the courts 1t will be
for some other reason than the two
advanced. However, they say they
do not doubt that the vets will test