Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-01-26
WANTS ASSEMBLY
TO GATHER AGAIN
SPEAKER OF HOUSE SAYS AD-
JoURNED SESSION WILL BE-
COME NECESSARY.
Especial Correspondence

the other to investigate 6taIe county
and township offices and commissions
with a view to recommending eco
nomical changes. He urged that the
assembly then complete It's work
quickly as possible and adjourn sub
ject to the call Of the governor.
The speaker expressed the belief
that the legislators would be willing to
come back at their own expense In
order to accomplish the work they had
set out to do and without Leaving its
completion to another legislature.
$50 far as accomplishing anything tn
! the way OF carrying ont a real economy
program at this time" he said, I'VE
are travelling around in circle. 1t
will take time to do the things which
these commissions would have to DO
and the assembly can come back next
fall or winter and carry their recon-
mendations into effect
He recommended that a commission
OF three members be appointed by the
governor for the recodifcation Of the
laws, with the governor as an ex-
onicio member Of the commission.
Also that members Of the supreme
court work with the commission so
l
Amendment Irregular?
The attorney general and members
of the general assembly are debating
seriously over the possibility Of ir-
Irregularities In the constitutional pro-
hibitory amendment as passed by the
senate. No decision has yet been reach
ed In the matter and 1t is regarded
as possible that the measure may have
to be sent back through the senate
for passage again
The constitution requires that In
order for an amendment to be regula,
| It must pass two general assemblies
| in the same identical form. The last
paragraph in the amendment provides
for its submission to the next as
sembly. Although no other assembly
will be required to pass upon the
measure, Attorney General Havnee
holds that the paragraph must be re-
tanned in order 70 meet the require
ments OF the constitution. Other legal
lights In the assembly believe that IT.
retention would Sinvalidxfe the amend
ment.
The suffrage amendment Of two
years ago was passed without the ad-
ditional paragraph and there is be-
lief that II the attorney general 10 cor
rect In his ruling the suffrage amend
ment Is invalid. Governor Harding
has requested a written opinion from
the attorney general on the point.
TO RESTORE PARTY CIRCLE.
Des Moines, Jan. 25.-The frst gen
eral election bill to be introduced at
this session of the Iowa legislature
was presented in the house today by
Representative Neff Of Pottawattamie
county. The bill, II passed, would re-
suit in the removal from the ballot OF
the names Of presidential electors and
would restore the circle at the head OF
the ticket permitting the voter to cast
a straight" ballot without marking
each name on the ballot with cross.
Many legislators professed to see an
other attempt on the part OF reform
ers" to bring about enforcement Of the
blue laws" in bill submitted to the
house by Representative Wtgdahl OF
Palo Alto. The bill would increase the
fine for violation Of the Sabbath to
mot more than 500 nor less than
80" The present statute provides for
a fine of not more than Ave nor less
than one dollar. A similar bill faith
cred by the department Of justice and
introduced in the senate BY Senator
Taylor was killed in committee.
To Use Prison Labor.
A bill providing for the manufacture
Of binding twine at either the N.
Madison or the Anamosa reformator-
les was introduced in the Iowa state
senate today by Senator Enger OF
Howard. A companion bill was intro
duced in the house by Representative
Nichols Of Winneshiek. The measure
would provide for an appropriation OF
$4,000 for the erection Of buildings
and purchase of machinery and fur
ther appropriation Of $225.000 to pro-
vide working capital and for the
purchase OF raw material. Location OF
the twine plant is left In the hands of
the board of control.
The senate today adopted an amend.
ment to the existing statutes defining
and regulating conditions under which
witnesses may testify to transactions
between another party and perron
deceased and definitely fixing the
meaning of clause prohibiting testa-
mony if the witness be an Interested
party to the transaction"
The bill now goes to the house.
Putting Damper On.
report of the rules committee, sub
mitted today but upon which no action
was taken, would prohibit introduction
Of bills after March Is, with the excep-
ton OF committee bills and would al
low no appropriation bfIls to be intro
duced after February Is with the ex-
ception OF bills relating to educationa!
institutions or institutions under the
Jurisdiction Of the board Of control.
Senator Parker Of Polk today intro
duced bill amending the existing
laws relating to pensions for police
officers.
May License BARRIERS.
Licenses for BARRIERS and supervi-
sion of all barber shops by state
board Of examiners WAS provided for
In bin introduced In the senate today
by Senator Thompson of Des Moines
county.
Continued on Page ~