Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-12-08
TEMPERANCE PEOPLE PLAN TO
SCAN RECORDS OF LEelsLA-
TIVE AsPlRANTS.
LITTLE OPPORTUNITY
FOR WET LEGISLATURE
Matters Pertaining to War Conditions
to Forge to Front in Next Session
Powers of State Defense Council May
Be Enarsed-Road Fight Ceases to
Exist.
Special to Times-Republican.

Special to Times Republican.
Des Moines, Dec. S.-With indications
now pointing to a livelier interest in
politics turnout the state soon after
the first Of the year when candidates
will be getting active there is much
concern as to just what state issues
will take the foreground.
Undoubtedly the temperance ques-
ton will be more of an issue than 1t
was two years ago. The defeat Of the
constitutional amendment this fall has
intensified interest in the booze ques-
ton again altho many politicians would
like to leave the subject alone. The
temperance people however are going
TO scan the records of the men pro-
posed for the legislature and If they
are inclined to be wet they will oppose
them.
However. there are many observers
who take the position that the tenn
perance forces have no special cause
for alarm in the defeat Of the amend
ment. They declare, that it was the
fear Of too rigid regulation of the
affairs of the state in general that
prompted negative vote against the
prcnibitory constitutional amendment
rather than any desire for the return
of the saloon. They say there is little
opportunity for wet leg islature this
coming year and if the vets hope to
regain lost power they will not attempt
it in the next legislature but rather at
a later assembly.
Matters with reference to and grow
ing out of war conditions will forge to
the front in the early sessions of the
next legislature. There has already
been a considerable demand in some
quarters for war legislation and Gov
ernor Harding has had to refuse TO
call a special session of the legislature
on more than one occasion in recent
months.
State Defense Proposals.
Some OF the members OF the state
defense council have been chatting over
their limited powers and their lack OF
funds Soon after they were appointed
they proposed a special session to give
them funds to work with and more de-
finite authority.
There is also . persistent demand for
some sort OF state legislation to get the
money slackers.' That is, to require a
sort of tax to meet the money needed
for war activities. such as liberty loans
and the like. The state council Of de-
fense has already approved a measure
of this sort, drawn up by Judge Walter
I. Smith OF Council Bluffs, has asked
other state councils TO pass 1t and then
all OF these defense councils Will ask
its passage by congress. And this sort
OF legislation is bound to come forward
in the next assembly.
The feeling against the "proGteers I,
both IN coal and in the boarding or
food and the manipulation of food
prices. Is going to bring forth legislation
The government is Of course into this
but the state is also very apt ID dip
into It because there is deep feeling
against those dealers in the necessaries
of life who are taking advantage OF the
war to exploit the people.
More rigid laws against alien
enemies or against groups Of foreign
ers, no matter Of what nationality, CT
ganiztng communities and living apart
from the other people Of the state and
would if they were in their native land,
probably will be taken up and enacted.
II is charged that this sort of a COM
munity enjoys all Of the advantages OF
this county and gives nothing to the
state or the nation in return in the
way Of public support or interest CT
sympathy. Not few Of these COM
rnunities in Iowa have been smoked
ont by loyal and determined citizens in
the liberty loan drives, food pledge
campaigns and similar activities.
Road Fight Passes.
The road fight, as it existed in the
last campaign, which was as every
one has since realized nothing more OF
less than a fight on the state high
way commission originating in the
minds of a few radical supervisors
here and there and interests which for
uerlv controlled county boards OF
supervisors, is a dead one in its ole
form. New supervisors have come in
to take the place of disgruntled ones
and the cooperation between the state
highway commission members anc
boards of supervisors Is general.