Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-02-17
MEASURE TO BE PRESENTED IN
OPPOSITION TO PlT7-JoHN-
STON BILL.
FOLLOWS LINES OF
PRESENT HIGHWAY LAW
Modifies Powers Of Commission Some
what But Making Commission Court
Of Last Resort-Purpose Is to Cor
rect Faults of Present Statute-Ac-
cepts Federal Aid.
Special to Times-Republican.

Special to Times RepubliCan.
Des MOines, Feb 17.-Repres entative
Lee Elwood, Of Howard county, has
MAN. is much the same as the present
law. giving the general administration
OF the road laws to the county suQervl-
sCrs with the state highway commits
sion the advisory body and the court Of
last resort He expects to introduce
MS bill Monday. .
IL Will be presented in opposition to
the Pitt-JOhnSton bill, now in the
hands Of the highway committee Of the
house The Johnston bin is aimed
at the state highway commission and
does away with that body, 1t creates
a state highway commissions with su-
pvrVisOrE powers only. The EiWoou
bill sustains the state highway COM
mission and the present law. Its pur-
pose. however, is to correct the faults
Of the present law as seen by its
friends. render the highway commits
sion law more workable and to over
come the principal objections made 10
the highway commission law as 1t now
stands.
HrlhCiPdi manages Su99Seheo'
The principal changes the ElWood
bill would make in the present law are
AZ follows:
Reduce the amount of money the
highway commission receives from .
per cent of the automobile license fund
70 8 per cent.
Restrict the amount of surveying
which county engineers could be called
upon TO do and thus save fully 80 per
cent of the present expense.
Give township trustees authority to
proceed with emergency, repair work II
board Of supervisors or any member
notified fail to do the work within
thirty-six hours after notified.
Requires board of supervisors TO
plan work for the following year at
meeting in September. the plans to be
submitted to and approved by the state
highway commission.
Puts members of highway commits
sion. county engineers and assistants
under the Cosson removal act so that
they can be removed for failure to
properly do their duty.
Requires all contractors IN doing
bridge work to leave waterway clear
and free from obstruction on compile
ton of work and prevents their secur-
ing final payment for their work until
this is done.
Township trustees not under nigh
way commission in ordinary repair
work and grading except when project
started by them is appealed from by
five freeholders.
Accepts Federal Aid.
The Elwood bill also authorizes the
state highway commission to accept
federal aid IN road building and 10
comply with the governments require
ments as to the securing Of this aid.
These funds are TO be apportioned TO
The various counties on the same basis
as the present automobile fund. The
fund to be set aside by any county 20
meet the requirements Of the federal
act shall be taken from the motor We
hcle apportionment.
The duties Of the state highway
commission are set out specifically as
follows:
r. Duties Of Commission.
/. To devise and adopt plans Of
highway bridge and culvert construc-
ton and maintenance suited to the
needs of the different counties Of the
state and furnish standard plans 20 the
counties in accordance Herewith.
. To disseminate information and
instruction TO county superviS ors and
other highway officers, answer inquir-
les and advise such supervisors, town
ship trustees and officers on questions
pertaining to highway improvements.
construction and maintenance and of
reasonable prices for materials and
construction.
? To keep a record Of all important
operations Of the highway com mission
and to annually report the same TO the
governor by the first day Of January,
which report shall be printed as pub
lie document but the summary report
Of the county highway engineers shall
be reported not later than Feb. ].
4. To appoint such assistants as are
necessary TO carry on the work Of the
commission, define the duties and fix
the compensation of each and terr1in
ate at will the terms of employment OF
all employees, provide for the necessary