Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-02-06
AGAINST WILSON:
HOLDSHIS TONGUE
ONE IOWA LEGISLATOR Refuses
TO VOTE ON RESOLUTION
BACKING UP u. s.
[specia1 Correspondence1


Des Moines. Feb. 6.-"My first rea-
son for refusing to vote en- the resolu-
ton Is because 1t declared we have
been neutral. That is a brazen lie and
we all know it. Another thing. believe
we should go little slow and not help
England out. That's all this Is for.
Wilson has been trying to get US into
this for three years. When England
established the blockade, cut our
cable, robbed our malls and put us on
the blacklist, we didn't do anything
about It, but we have been shipping
billions of dollars worth of ammuni-
,tion into that country to let them kill
people with
Representative Otto Helming Of
Allamakee county, Of German parent
age, thus explained today his refusal
to vote on the resolution passed by
the house Of representatives yester-
day in support of President Wilson
In the German break.
1t was the first untoward word pub
licly expressed by any member OF the
legislature on the presidents act.
The resolution passed the house by
vote of SO to 0. When Helming's
name was called. he failed to answer.
The roll clerk waited and called the
name again. When Helming again
failed to respond. the clerk looked In
his direction. Representatives who al
so knew he was on the floor OF the
house also turned. There was silence
for several seconds. The clerk pro
ceeded with the roll call when he real
lied that Helming had heard his name.
Appointment to Fall.
That friends of Senator F. F. Jones
of villisca are afraid they haven't suf-
ficient votes in the senate to confirm
his appointment to the state board OF
education and that they expect to let
Governor Clarke's request for con-
hrmation die under the limitation
clause provided in the law. was be-
lieved at the state house today.
Under the law. the appointment
must be confirmed within thirty days
after the legislature convenes. After
thirty days the appointment becomes
null II the senate falls to approve.
There are only two days more before
the time limit OF thirty expires.
Policemen won their first contest
over the pension bill before the SEN
ate yesterday. The senate passed the
Parker bill which authorizes cities to
levy a tax to meet deficits In the po-
lice pension funds when such deficits
occur.
The firemen's pension fund is al
ready on that basis. When the police
pension fund runs out, police pension
ers do not get any money until fur.
ther revenues are paid in by the active
policemen. The situation has worked
hardships upon the veteran of1cers
who have come to depend upon their
pensions. If the house passes the
measure and the indications are 1t
will. cities will provide small levy
to meet all deficits In the fund. The
bill affects the larger cities of the
state
Representative Miller of Boone Will
introduce bill in the house within
few days providing that all voting IN
all elections shall be done by mail.
His bill provides that five days pre-
vious to elections. county auditors
shall mail out ballots to all registered
voters, with stamped envelopes for re-
turn. The voter, Mr. Miller says, can
then sit down at the fireside In the
evening, talk over his vote with his
wife if he desires, take his time In
marking the ballot. and have several
days to make whatever Investigation
he desires.
Women suffrage workers will make
their big plea for the passage Of the
suffrage bill for resubmission OF the
suffrage amendment before a joint
meeting OF the senate and house COM
mittees February 20.
Every suffrage worker viii wear the
yellow sash and the house chamber
will be flooded with suffrage banners,
the Equal Suffrage association an
nouncets. Two delegates from every
county in the state together with all
state officers will be present and join
In the dramatic features of the event