Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-01-19
EPPS MOVES To
REVISE THE CODE
Wapello County Legislator
Urges Action; Whitmore
Bill Is in Doubt

Des Moines. Jan. II. Represents
tive w. w. Epps of Wapello county
was father of measure introduced
yesterday afternoon which proposes to
carry into effect one of the policies ad-
vocated by Governor Harding in his
inaugural message. The bill provides
for the appointment Of a commission
for the revision and recodification OF
the laws of the state.
He would have four members of the
commission named by the house, two
by the senate, and three by the govern
or. six members to have had ten years
experience in the active practice of
law. The bill provides that the COM
mission have authority to transpose
and make all alteration necessary to
harm onizing and systematizing the
laws so as to make them clear. The
addition Of annotations and decisions
Of the supreme court is also required.
He would have the thirty-seventh as
sembly reconvene to approve the work
when 1t Is completed. Commission
members would receive SIS per day
and start work not later than April 3.
1917.
To Probe Coal Price.
A resolution to investigate the raise
in the price OF coal by Joint COM
mission appointed from the two houses
was also introduced in the lower
branch yesterday by Rep. Epps. The
resolution reciteS that successive
raises have been ordered without any
part of the money going to the coal
miners. It asks that an investigation
be made and that II It is found that a
combination. has been effected for this
purpose or for rasling the price Of any
necessity that the charters Of the Of
Tending companies be revoked.
Whltmore Bill in Doubt.
A sharp fight Is on among the rank
and file Of the prohibitionists as to the
advisability Of passing the Whitmore
bills prohibiting the importation Of
liquor into the state. The more conser.
vative Of the temperance leaders are
opposed to too drastic action for fear
that it might produce reaction which
would endanger the success Of the con-
stitutional amendment when It is sub
mitted to the people. Some Of these
favor the withdrawal Of the Whitmore
measures In the event that the rail-
roads agree to refuse to transport lio-
uor shipments into the state. The rad
icals favor pushing the bills through
the legislature. A conference probably
will be held following the meeting Of
the railroad attorneys with Attorney
General Havner tomorrow to decide
upon a course Of action.
Eight Hour Day Bill.
Representative George Tucker Of
Clinton started the ball rolling In the
house yesterday afternoon when the
order Of the introduction Of bills was
reached for the first time In the ses-
sion. Tucker introduced a series Of
bills. One Of these provided for an
eight hour day for all laborers or me-
chanics engaged in any public work
either for the state or any Of its sub
divisions. It required that no laborer
or mechanic work more than eight
hours in any calendar day.
Another bill provided that cities or
towns might handle all or any part o.
their street construction work This
measure is part OF the program Of
the Iowa municipal league for home
rule for cities. 1t gives cities author
ity to submit bid on any piece of
street work and II the bid is lower than
N
and assess the cost the same as Is now
done.
Senator VIM Greene Of Clinton yes
terday introduced bill In the senate
providing that the state pay all ma
tional guardsmen who served on the
border $40 per month for the time they
are away from home in service. II
passed the bill would carry with 1t an
appropriation in the neighborhood OF
three quarter million dollars.
Repeal Bill Presented.
Senator Kimball introduced bill for
the repeal OF the presidential prefer
ence primary law yesterday and for
some notifications Of the present state
primary system. including the election
of delegates to state and county con-
ventions along with the candidates for
Office
A bill requiring comfort stations in
all cities over 5000 population was in.
troduced in the house yesterday by
Coakley OF Union county. 1t provides
that two such places shall be provided
in cities Of 5000 and not less than %.
900. Four In cities over $4,000 and two
additional for each $4,000 inhabitants
over that.
The anti-tipping law was started on
its way back towards the legislative
scrap heap yesterday after an unpro-
ductive and rather listless existence
extending over two years. But one at.
tempt was ever made to enforce this
law after the thirty-sixth assembly
legislated 1t onto the statute books
with gleefulness and eclat. A Wood.
bury county Judge then declared Il un.
constitutional. Senator Caswell intro
duced a bill for it's repeal