Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1917-01-31
Activities of State Legislature
(By ]. w. Jarnagin.)

roads and this in turn has brough.
forth vigorous lobby featured by
union labor. The bill recognizes un-
ion labor, prohibits the granting Of in
functions to prevent boycotts, prohib-
its prosecution in courts Of those en-
tering combines for the purpose Of
lessening the hours of labor or fixing
prices for such labor and declares that
the labor of human being Is not a
commodity or article Of commerce.
The bill prohibits the arming of guards
or strike breakers. Manufacturers are
making hard fight to have the COM
mittee on labor in the two houses kill
the bill. The labor lobby has been
strengthened by the presence OF Grant
Hamilton, of Washington, d. c., chair
man Of the legislative committee Of
the federation Of labor. He is here
because Harry Strict, Of Sioux City
president of the Iowa Federation Of
Labor telegraphed the national organ
ization for help. Mr.. Hamilton ad-
dressed the joint meeting Of the SEN
ate and house committee Fridays The
manufacturers were largely represent
ed at that meeting also.
First Bill to Pass In House.
A bill introduced by Nicholson, of
Winneschiek, permitting counties to
use share of auto license fund for oil
ing highways was the first meaure to
pass the house. The committee on
highways, endorsed that the auto tax
may be used jim surfacing highways
with gravel, but it could not be used
for oiling them. III
Would Prevent Supervisors From
Issuing Bonds.
Gray, of Calhoun, is the author Of
a bill that proposes the boards of SUI
peryisors confine the expenditure for
bridges and other road improvements
to funds provided by regular tax
levy. At present supervisors may is
sue bonds to cover oyerdrafts in the
bridge fund. Supervisors in some
counties have issued bonds for as
much as 100000. 1t is claimed that
in the aggregate millions of bonds
ARE outstanding that the tax payers
had no voice in authorizing. Elwood,
of Howard, has introduced a bill to
amend Sec. 4O3 of the code providing
for an issuance of bonds for road and
bridge construction when the people
vote for such measure. In this way
boards of supervisors would be able
to anticipate revenue for road and
bridge work.
A Budget Plan as Basis for Taxation.
Weaver, of Polk. is the author of a
measure that makes a complete change
in the levying of taxes. Under the
spresent system, taxes are levied thru
the millage system. The taxing body
figures property valuations and levies
a certain number Of mills to produce
the cash needed for the years work.
The result of the system has beentha
councils, school boards. and supervis-
sors have collected more money than
they actually asked for because of
the increase in property valuations.
Property valuations are increased
more or less every year. The Weaver
plan proposes that the amount Of mon
ey required for the various funds both
municipal, school and county shall be
closely estimated but no millage tax
shall be levied until afther assessors,
boards of equalization and the state
executive council shall have equalized
assessments and levies will then be
made upon the definite and fixed val
uation. It is believed that a vast saw
ing will be made in taxation If this
measure becomes a law.
To Inspect Converts, Parochial
Schools and the Like.
Rayburn, of Powesiek, has drafted
bill similar to the one that passed
the house two years ago, providing
that all institutions receiving inmates
or pupils shall be Investigated and in
pected annually, and report made
to the state by the state board Of con-
troll. Its purpose is to place Catholic
institutions-convents schools, homes,
etc.-under state supervision.
Elect County Superintendents.
Meredith, OF Jasper, is pushing his
bill to restore the old law providing
for the election by the people OF the
county superintendent Of schools. The