Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-02-20
SUPERVISORS ARE
FIGHTINGNEW LAW
ADMINISTRATION MEASURE TO
CHANGE ROAD LEGISLATION
MEETING OPPOSITION.
Especial correspondence

Especial Correspondence
Des Moines, Feb. 19.-The Harding
Pltt-Johnston road bill, the child of the
reactionaries Of the house of the Iowa
legislature, is meeting with frowns
among those it was drafted to please
the supervisors and the farmers.
Three-fourths Of the boards of
Iowa favor the present road law and
retention of the highway commits
s1on,' j. D. Buser, supervisor in Mus
catine county and president of the
state association Of supervisors, told
Senator Nicholas Balkema. President
Buser was In Des Moines most of last
week presenting the views of super
visors to legislators.
supervisors are not opposed to
county bond issues for road purposes,
provided that city and country voters
are required to vote separately and
both approve the bond ISSUE" Presi-
dent Buser said, according to Senator
Balkema. ut is political exigency that
leads the opponents of the highway
commission to insist that greater pow
er must be lodged with the supervis-
ors. If the supervisors are satisfied
with the present law, the politicians
are answered"
The Harding Johnston forces
are due to lose some of their follow
ers II they do not get action soon on
their bill.
Following a two hours debate at
Abba Friday night between Repre-
sentative Giltner of Monroe county
and Woodwork Clum, secretary Of the
Greater Iowa association, the John
ston bill was unanimously condemned.
The audience was composed Of busi-
ness men Of Abba and farmers Of the
county. When Chairman Wilson, fol-
lowing the debate, asked all those in
favor Of the Johnston bill to stand up,
not man arose. When he asked for
those opposed, fully two-thirds got on
their feet. Representative Giltner,
listed as an administration supporter
of the Johnston bill, objected to the
taking OF vote. But it was taken
Resolutions condemning the John
ston bill weres unanimously passed
Saturday at mass meeting Of Appa-
moose county citizens, 80 per cent
farmers. In the county court house
at Centerville. 1t was one OF the
largest mass meetings ever held in
the county and was called especially
to discuss the proposed road legisla-
tion. The resolutions were adopted
after two hour free for all discussion
of the road legislation.
Representatives Epps and Slaught
OF Ottumwa have heard from their con-
stituents who held meeting recently.
SI1n hnv nA~ AAAS IN -
against the Johnston bill Epps was
unequestionably lined up for It and
Slaught is believed to be counted
among its hackers also.
Between 200 and 300 Iowa bankers
have sent in applications for the job
Of banking commissioner under the
law passed last week establishing a
separate banking department.
Robert Johnston of Humboldt. chair.
man Of the house appropriations COM
mittee. is mentioned as a favorable
candidate. George Messenger Of Lin.
den is also said to be under consider
atiNn. Both are administration sup
porters. The governor must make ap-
pointment before the adjournment Of
the present session and his appoint
ment must be approved by the senate.
The law does not go into effect until
July 4.
Senator BaIkema, senate leader OF
the highway commission supporters,
is preparing separate bin for intro
duction in the legislature accepting
the 100000 Of federal aid offered by
the government for road building.
The feeling prevails that the accept.
ance of federal aid should be made in
a separate act rather than through a
provision in the road bills now in the
house.