Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-12-30
COMING SESSION OF LEGtSlA.
TURE WILL SHOW SHIFT
IN INTEREST.
CHANGING CONDITIONS
IN WORK OF LAWMAKERS
Committee on Public Utilities May Be.
come One Of Most important Of This
Winters Ssssisn-important Chair
snaaships in House Depend Upon
Outcome Of Contest For Speaker.
Special to Ttmes-Republican.

Special to Ttmes-Republican.
~Des Moines, Dec. 3o.-With the shift
Ing Of political problems in the two
years Intervening since the last gener-
al assembly, in Iowa, committees which
two years ago were relatively alag
about the middle Of the list SO far as
public interest goes are how the head
liners and some OF the headliners two
years ago have dropped to second
or third place or TO no place at all.
And likewise committees which at the
opening of the coming session may ap
pear to be relatively unlmportant may
forge 10 the front as the session de-
Nelops
Two years ago the committee on
public utilities vas not a particularly
active or important committee. The
year il will undoubtedly face import
: ant responsibilities because of the leg
islation which will be proposed touch
ing state regulation Of public utility
corporations.
The committee on military affairs
two years ago at the time the session
opened was not facing any especial
problems, although ii had work to do
growing out Of the legislation proposed
because OF experiences on the Mex
lean border. But before the session
closed it had advanced to front rank
. in importance, for war had been de-
clared on Germany and the Iowa solons
We're graphing with the problems OF
setting Iowa's house in order and pre-
pairing for the state 20 90 its part IN
the coming conflict.
Two years ago the highways COM
mittees OF the house and senate were
the very top liners in public interest
until the Pitt-Johnson road bill was
disposed of after a thrilling two days
deadlock and debate in the Iowa house
Then the committees took back seat
in public interest
The committees on the suppression
Of intenperance have not been 50 much
in the public Eye since four years ago
when temperance legislation was en-
acted which has pretty well tied up
the liquor traffic since that time. Pre-
yious TO the Thirty sixth and during
it's sessions these committees were
among the busiest in the legislature
neSe Always lHiEoiSSHks
Among the Fundamental committees
always important are the appropria-
ton committees of both houses, which
have to pass on all matters with re-
ference to spending the states money
the judiciary committees dealing with
legal problems and the ways and
means committee has 10 pass on the
tax problems along at the last Of the
session.
The sitting committee. appointed
after the session is about three-fourths
thru, whose duty it is TO sift out the
bills and recommend their disposition
is another highly important crew.
LEGISLATORS Of experience returning
TO the house or senate as rule are
reappointed TO the same committee
chairrnanships they held in the pre-
rious legislature. or il the chairman
| of the committee does not return the
next ruling member is apt to be chos-
en- to head the committee. This Gust
ON holds true more particularly in the
senate than ~ the house, however.
The fight which takes place to choose
A speaker OF the house naturally re-
salts in the friends and supporters or
. the speaker winning the best commit
tee appointments. In the senate the
lieutenant governor appoints the com
mittees.
In the senate Nicholas Balkema, OF
Sioux Center who has headed the SEN
ate highways committee in the past
two sessions and is the author OF the
highways commission la" no douo'
win be reappointed chairman of the
-tn n
house, however. It all depends on who
is elected speaker. If Arch Mctarians
of Waterloo, wins the speahershlp, ne
wll! choose a highways Commltlee
chairman from among the opponents
CT the Pitts-Johnson crowd two years
aso when Johnson, OF Lucas, was
chairman If Wormley is elected the
speaker il is to be expected tnat he
usay choose some of the Old members
for the highway committee in th'
house.
The appropriations committee in the
senate undoubtedly viii be headee
again by Senator Foskett, of Pag'
county. who handled 1t in the past two
sessions. Johnson, of Humboldt, Wht
has headed this committee in tins
house. is no longer in the assembly
Two years ago the judiciary com
mittee In the senate was headed d.
Senator Cady Chase, OF Hailiisoi
county. He IS not in the senate thu
zine and Joe Frailey, of Lee county
the ranking member, may be mad
chairman. RUDE McFerren, of Hamil
ton county. headed this committee il
the house two years ago. He lost tn
nomtnation for the senate in the sen
1&pgid convention this year.