Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-01-16
ROAD QUESTION TO
BOTHER ASSEMBLY
MOVEMENT TO ANTICIPATE
FUNDS DOOMED TO MEET
STRONG OPPOSITION.
Especial Correspondence


Des Moines. Jan. 1.-Two things
are certain to be done by the Iowa
assembly in legislative way this
winter, one positive and the other
negative. The prohibitory amend
ment will have easy sailing through
both houses and meet nothing more
than incidental opposition. Any move
ment for anticipating revenues for
road building is equally certain to be
blocked. The administration is pledged
to do these two things and the legis.
lature, outwardly at least, has indi-
Gated that it is in thorough accord
with the administration in its attitude
towards these problems.
| Aside from these two general issues
| nothing has developed thus far rep
resenting any concentrated effort, nor
which might properly be termed a
legislative program. Other questions
are certain to be-raised before the
session is far advanced of large pub
lie interest and upon which there will
they have not yet been given definite
form and represent individual convic-
tons of members rather than an or
ganized movement for their passage.
Johnston of Lucas, who fathered the
road measure of two years ago which
was an acute issue in the recent cam
paign, has said that practically the
same bill will be introduced again.
There is a disposition among some
of the members who are aligned with
that faction. however to eliminate
everything save the adjustment of
the highway commission and concen-
Itrate their efforts on that issue. The
house probably would pass any bill
t that might be presented by the re-
cognized leaders Of the Johnston fac
ton, but the senate might refuse to
concur in such a program
Whatever form the final draft of the
bill takes for presentation it will have
incorporated a provision for the abol-
ishment of the highway commission.
The remedy which it will provide is
less certain. though general senti.
ment of the members at this time
seems to favor commission of one
or three engineers. endowed with adj
visory powers and located in Des
Moines. No one doubts that the house
would pass such measure SO the
survival of the commission depends
entirely upon the attitude of the SEN
late.
Amusement enterprises are said to
be preparing TO ask for the repeal of
T., IL lpv,
at least such modification of the laws
las will legitimitize orderly amuse-
ments on the Sabbath. Governor
Harding told the legislators in his in.
augural message that they would be
responsible for such laws as were left
on the statute books when they ad.
iourned and that it would be the pol.
icy of the administration to enforce
them. The Sunday laws have been
looked upon for years as dead letter
laws and only sporadic efforts have
been made to enforce them. An or.
ganization has now been formed in
the state. however. to fight any efforts
looking toward their repeal and is
mastering it's strength in the assem-.
bly,
Various proposals are expected and
some Of them ready for submission
for changes in the primary laws. In
view of the attitude assumed by the
administration. as disclosed in the in
augural message towards the primary
law and the enthusiastic endorsement
of it's principles. it is not regarded AS
probably that any drastic changes in
the law will be endorsed by the legis.
lature.