Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-12-31

tation has been accompanied by mani
tested interest In regard to appropria-
lions for the state council OF defense
Information now has bean given out
that Governor Harding 10 consulting
4 with members Of the legislature In re-
gard to the advisability OF calling an
extra session early In January. One OF
the impelling motives. rs per official
explanation, 10 to legalize the state
1 council of defense and provide It with
| funds.
II the state council Of defense has
| performed services for the state or for
the nation which suggest the necessity
of making special financial provision
| for its continued operation the people
should be advised. The majority Of
citizens are perfectly willing to finance
| anything and everything which con-
tributes to war efficiency. but they are
not out after methods Of wasting tho
public's money. Mr.. Young, chairman
Of the Council has been travelling
| about the state to some extent making
| reckless and i'll considered statements
| which are q net injury to the cause OF
| national unity. Perhaps other mem
bers Of the council also have been do
ing things.
The main idea in having the coun-
ell "leyalized,", of course. Is to give 1t
legislative. executive and judicial au-
thority in promotion of its program
and to establish legal connection
with that appropriation OF $4,000
which has been a source Of worry and
anxiety to the states immense col
lection Of political palms.
Iowa Is earnestly supporting the gov
ernment's war policies. and will con-
tinue to do It's full part in meeting each
and every responsibility assigned.
Conditions might arise which would
call for overlords Of special authority.
but they have not arisen yet. Why get
excited until there Is something worth
! While to get excited about?
HARDING AND THE AMENDMENT.
burlington Hawkeye.1
This Is war time. There Is need OF
an extra session Of the Iowa general
assembly to meet the exigency. Cover
nor Harding recognizes the need OF
legislation and Is considering the ad-
visibility Of an extra session this win
ter.
It is reported he is unwilling to issue
the call unless the members will agree
In advance not to take action on the
national prohibition amendment. The
Haw-keye Is loath to believe the report
Is true. The ratification Of an amend
ment to the federal constitution Is
wholly and exclusively the function OF
the legislatures OF the several states.
The governors have nothing to do with
1t. They can not legally intervene to
hinder the action of the legislatures.
Nor have they the moral right to do So
Congress has put up the proposition
to the legislature OF Iowa as well as
the legislatures Of the other states. 1t
is the duty Of the general assembly to
ratify or reject the amendment. The
governor has not the power to take
away that right. even indirectly. by
exacting a promise that such action
shall not DO taken at tho extra session
That transcends the duty Of tho state
executive and 10 m infringement OF
the preroga tives OF tho general assem-.
bly, and Of the people Of iowa It would
be- dickering with public function;
bargaining in regard to legislatton;-a
wholly indefens1ble act. And therefore
we can not believe Governor Harding
will take such an obviously Improper
step.
BELONG ON THE BACK SEAT.
Monticello Express.]
DR.. Karl Muck and twenty one
members Of the Boston Symphony Con-
cert Company. have been denied the
privilege OF performing in Washington.
because they are alleged to be alien
enemies. Why shouldn't they be denied
the privilege OF following their prodes-
sion In the united States. and taking
In American dollars. while curstng the
country and Its people! Can any one
imagine an American theater or con-
cert troupe being permitted to have
the Freedom Of Germany, and can any
one imagine the German women at
tending entertainments and splitting
their gloves in adoring demonstrations!
These German musicians who wander
about the country singing to thought
less women and strummlng on musical
instruments for tho edihcation Of soul
fuI maidens should consider them
selves lucky that they be not herded
in 4 stockade during the war. No doubt
half OF them are spies who use their
music to worm themselves into posi-
tons whore they may secure informa-
ton OF value to Germany, but the sur
prise is that there are Americans READY
10 aid them. Why should the American
public chase after these imported
artists anyway? We have In our own