Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1915-01-07
Ask Many Changes.

cry city and county in the state are
contained in the biennial report Of
the county accounting department Of
by John L. Bleakly, auditor of state.
Tie first examination Of the business
affairs of the ninety-nine counties OF
the state has recently been completed.
The examiners found many irregu-
larities, evils and injustices in the
present system Of laws governing the
counties, Mr. Bleakly says. AS rem
edy for some of them he suggests
the following laws:
That the practice OF the county
treasurer charging three-fourths of l
per cent for the collection OF city
taxes, be abolished. ~
That the number OF county super
visors be reduced to three in all
counties and supervisor districts be
abolished.
That the salaries OF all county Of
fcers be fixed by law and all fees
collected be paid into the treasury.
That supervisors be paid expenses
instead OF mileage in addition to SAL
airy.
That uniform rate for county print
ing be fixed, the rate to DO based on
the number of words, all valueless
publications and useless headlines to
be abolished.
That witness fees be paid immedi-
ately after being earned to prevent
witnesses selling claims to scalpers.
In addition Mr.. Bleakly calls the
attention of the legislature to the fact
that the state tax levy as now fixed
will hardly take care OF the states
needs. II the Obligations are increas-
ed by the legislature, he says, the
lawmakers must find a way to in
crease the revenue in the general
fund.
Prepare for Rate Battle.
Representatives OF sixteen mid
western states interested in fighting
the western freight rate advances,
met in Des Moines to organize for the
battle which will take place before
the interstate commerce commission.
Ten OF the states already have ac-
countants at work making analyses
Of the 1,125 tariffs fled which pro-
vide for the advances. The Iowa
railroad commission Is negotiating
for the employment Of its chief ac-
countant and the force which will
attack the case from the Iowa stand
point win be put to work the latter
- - a.. - lxs
three accountants at work. South Da-
kota has one man, Nebraska three
men and Iowa win have quite force
engaged in the rate case. The other
states will contribute toward the ex-
pense, and all the states will COOP
crate. Illinois, Nebraska, Kansas
and Iowa will chip in to employ one
man who will give his entire time to
preparing for the fight against the
raise in rates on grain. Frequent con-
ferences will be necessary In order
to bring about united action BY the
states. It is probable that sessions
Of this kind win BE- held In Des
Moines.
Few Citiee to walt
According to reports received at
the state house. there are but few
cities OF the state which are preparl
ing to delay taking the 1915 census.
Des Moines and Sioux City. it is ex-
pected, will be the only cities which
will wait until the Legislature has
chance to act On the proposed bill
making changes in the census law so
that the count in cities will be taken
in May or June instead OF beginning
in January. II is also proposed that
a force be employed for the taking Of
the census only, instead OF combin-
ing the making Of assessments with
the enumeration. The law provides
that the census takers start out the
same day the legislature will meet
in Des Moines. AS the law now
stands the assessor must do the
census work and at the same time
that he is making the count he will
make his assessments on property,
Franchise Attacked by State.
The franchise of the light COM
pany at Iowa Falls is being attacked
by the state on the grounds that the
franchise does not comply with the
laws of Iowa and therefore is void
and the company is in unlawful pos
session of the streets and alleys of
the city. County Attorney GASEOUS
Bryson, on behalf OF the state, filed,
ia petition asking the court for a de-
cree requiring the company to re-
move their poles, wires and mains
from the streets. One OF the singu-
lar features OF the attack on the
franchise is found in that 1t contains
more than one subject. that. Of light.
heat and rates, the code of Iowa for
bidding more than one of these diff
ferent phases in one franchise agree
ment. The present franchise was
voted on in 1911, being secured IN the
name OF o. F. Peterson. and was as
signed to the present company.
Suspension 10 Asked.
The state commerce counsel will
ask a suspension OF the advance In
freight rates on salt, fruit and vege-
tables shipped into Iowa In petition
to be filed with the interstate com
merce commission. The suspension
is asked pending hearing on the
merits OF the advance.
Should Keep Lake Bed.
The Seth general assembly will be
asked to enact law that will keep
all lake beds In the states possession.
according to Attorney General Co.'S
cnn He said that n Ia nronosed for