Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-02-01
SHARP CONTEST ON BETWEEN
SEVERAL IOWA TOWNS SEEK
ING GOVERNMENT PLANT.
MASON CITY AND
DUBUQUE AFTER IT
Present Claims Against keokuk and
Clinton Four Iowa congressman
Working For Choice Of Site of ln-
dustry-Greater Des Moines Commit
tee Supporting keokuk.

Special to Times Republican.
Washington, Feb. Iowa cities are
hot after the war and navy depart
ments in quest of big government
manufacturing plants that soon are to
be parceled out to locations where, IN
the view of the various boards having
the matter in hand. their location will
operate to the best advantage OF the
government.
Congressman Haugen is busy this
week collecting data to refer to the
armor plant board of the navy depart
ment, which now is investigating pros
pective sites for the location OF the
armor plate factory, in substantlatlon
of his assertion that the ideal location
for the plant is at Mason City.
Congressman Hull already has inter-
viewed Rear Admiral F. F. Fletcher,
president of the board. in behalf OF
Beaver Island, site at Clinton OF
fered for the plant. and supporters OF
Keokuk's claims as an ideal location
have begun to petition congressman
and the navy department for the
plum"
The war department was visited by
Congressman Sweet, of the Third Iowa
district. who desires favorable report
from Secretary Baker on his bill aiiot-
ing a munitions plant to Dubuque. MT.
Sweet was informed by the department
that if any location along the Mis-
sissippi river IS considered for the 10"
cation of the plant, the Dubuque site
will be thoroughly investigated ana
given a chance for the selection.
Mason city's Claims.
The claims advanced by Congress
man Haugen in support OF Mason
City's availability as location for the
armor plate plant include the torma-
ton of the land in the Fourth Iowa
district, the admirable railroad faciii-
ties offered at Mason City. and the
proximity of the coal fields and the
fact that the ore fields Of the north
are not far distant. The fact that the
interior Iowa city is almost immune
from attack also has been advanced by
Mr.. Haugen in favor of Mason City.
The Greater Des Moines committee
has pledged it's support to keokuh LOT
the site, and letters urging Mr.. Haugen
to withdraw his advocacy OF Mason
City have been received by the
Fourth district representative.
Iowa Society Active.
O. H. Benson, the new president OF
the Iowa Society of washington, has
started to map out an elaborate pro-
gram of activities for, the society our
ing the coming year The choice OF
Mr.. Benson, who is resident OF Gar
ion, was most happy one by the
Hawkeyes who are transplanted here
His association with the department oil
agriculture in one Of the extension d.
visions, equips the former Iowa educa-
tor as an unusual man for leadership
and he intends to exert all his inf1u-
ence in making the Iowa Society lore-
most among the many state assocla-
tons now active in the national capl-
tai. Mr.. Benson, his friends say, re-
Gently was offered contract OF szco
a week to fill summer engagement
with a chautauqua company as lec-
turer. but 1t Is believed tnat ne VIII
remain with the department OF agrl-
culture, as he is most enthusiastic
worker in the task OF increasing the
fertility and productiveness OF Uncle
Sans big farm, the United States.
Mr.. Benson will be ably assisted
this year by the following oficers
named by the Iowans: W. G. Ladd, OF
Clarion, assistant superintendent OF the
District Of Columbia jail, and Mrs
Bradford Knapp, wife OF an assistant
to Mr.. Benson in the agricultural oe.
partment, as vice presidents; Mrs. Carr
f. Stuhler, of Jones county. Iowa, wife
of an enploye in the postoffice depart
n,ent, secretary, and George I. Bell o.
Sioux City, a special examiner in the
interstate commerce commission, treas
urer.
Army Men Must Obey state Laws.
Army officers detailed al the State
University Of Iowa or any college IN
the Hawkeye state as instructors OF
militia or military instructors IN COL
Ieges needn't send any vouchers for
tips given to the menials from whom
they receive extra service. If they
do the war department Will withhold
payment, because to honor tip pay
ments in a tipless state would make
the government disbursing officers law
breakers.
just TO warn army oiIiCcIS ~ siue-
step the anti tipping laws, Brig. Gen.
William A. Mann. chief Of the militia
bureau, has sent out circulars giving
the text Of the anti tipping laws OF
Iowa, California, Mississippi, South
Carolina and Tennessee.
These laws provide that the Upper
or tippee is liable to fine or imprison
ment for giving or receiving any
honorarium or gratuity, commonly
known as tip"
Washington officials recalled today
the incident when Mrs. Wilson, accom-
pany the president during his
campaign, gave tip Of S. to maid
in a Des Moines hotel, in violation OF
the Iowa law, but the state officers
CALAMITY overlooked the "offense." The
! war department fears this gallantry
wouldn't be extended to army officer
offenders. however. and have placed
them on their guard in the official eau
Grippy weather
Il H. 4