Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-11-11
GATHERED BY THE WAYSIDE

IS no occasion for pessimism as to the
future, nor for doubt that the we'll
beaten path will be followed. and the
ultimate goal be kept in view by all
those who are chosen to be the SER
wants OF the people. But it is highly
important that, now that the scramble
Tor Office Is out of the way, there shall
be intelligent and fair discussion Of the
really important matters which have
been pressing forward for considera-
ton, and sincere desire to give aid
rather than to build up endorsements
for those who are clothed with author
ity. With situation in the nation
confessedly causing fear that in some
way there may be a crisis involving
harm to our Industrial fabric, 1t is ali
the more incumbent on Iowa people to
do their share in avoiding The rocks.
In other years it has been possible
as soon as it has become known who
are elected to the legislature to form
some estimate Of probable organiza-
ton OF committees etc. 1t is different
this year. The Thirty sixth general
assembly-like the Thirty fifth was
has been all shot to pieces" SO TO
speak. The legislature has suffered
from the prevailing discomfort and dis
satisfaction which seems to be re-
sponsible for much Of the unaccount-
able in recent politics. Take the SEN
ate, for instance, and the men high on
the leading committees have almost
entirely disappeared. Precedents will
not be followed. The hold-over SEN
ators are perhaps not as conspicuous
q s in some other years. Francis, Allen,
Savage. Robinson, Larrabee. Darrah.
Jones and others have dropped out.
Balkema, who faced the storm of in
dignation when he wrote the highway
commission bill, and later when he re-
vised the law, Is to be back again.
Proudfoot, who was in once before
then dropped out and four years ago
essayed to run for governor, is COM
ing back. Coborn, of Cherokee, who
made a fine record in the house, comes
back to the senate. Billy" Haskell,
of Cedar Rapids, is a new man who
ought to be useful. 1t is to be re-
GREETED that Coast, OF Iowa City, and
Skinner. of Creston. failed of election.
for both have been good legislators
Who will handle the big judiciary COM
mittee--Frailey. Chase, Kimball, Will
son? Who will go to the head of the
big appropriations committee as sue
cessor to Jones, Mates. Maytag. Hay
ward, Garst and others?
The house will be body of stran-
gers Many new faces. Only few
experienced men. Anderson, Of Greene,
who kept still and got 1900 majority,
remains as the only statutory mem
Der of the retrenchment and reform
committee in either house. Not another
republican. Only two democrats and
they are appointive, only. Anderson
had the appropriations committee. He
will probably remain there, because he
will be nightly useful. Eut who for
speaker? Lee Elwood has been groomed
for the place. He makes a fine presid-
ing officer and he is popular. Fremont
Shortess is also immensely popular
and is said to be candidate with a
considerable following. He would
measure up we'll with those who have
welded the gavel in the past. Guy
Roberts would be an acceptable man.
also Anderson, OF Greene, would be
formidable candidate but probably will
not be. Of course, Pitt, Of Harrison,
Will De lHe CdIIuludSC VI lAS Skoop
which stands for reaction as to high
ways and some other matters and un-
less the progressives get together he
will win. But after the preiin1insrse-
are over the house probably will get it
self together under able leadership and
do business in accordance with the
wishes Of the people.
To date, the legislature is puzzle,
largely due; to the fact that nobody has
at any time discussed candidates nor
| issues which the successful candidates
will have to meet
Senator Cummins is going back to
| Washington at once to take up an inn
portant work which has been entrusted
| to a Sub committee. 1t is an inquiry
which 1t Is hoped will lead to q genera
revision Of the federal laws relatins
to the manner Q. handling railroad