Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1919-04-08
Prediction Made That Decis-
ion of Committee Will
Show Division.
WILL THROW FIGHT
DIRECTLY IN HOUSE
M a jority and Minority Reports In
dieated by Sentiments Of Committee
and fractional Division--Rsports Es-
pected to Reach House by End OF
Week-Testimony to Bs Concluded
With Days Session.

Des Moines. April s.-lntroduction
of testimony in the Iowa house judi
ciary committees investigation OF the
Rathbun pardon case will be completed
late today. it was definitely stated by
n. w. Byers. special committee coun-
sci.
A. C, Johnson. an Ida Grove attor-
ney, has been instructed to appear
again at that time as a witness. and
there is possibility the committee
also will recall Governor w. l.. Hard
ing for questioning regarding recent
testimony by attaches of his office
Committee members today declared
they could not predict accurately Just
when their report to the house would
be ready for presentation. An execu-
tive session was held last night. and a
similar meeting is in prospect for to-
night
Committee May Split.
Close observers OF the inquiry are
predicting division in committee,
which would result in majority and
itpOit uiid t'Ahh s''N NN
fight over the issue to a head on the
floor OF the house. The house is ex-
pected to receive the reports this week.
Oscar Thorson. Of Des Moines.
wrestling promoter. and Charles Witt,
the governors secretary were the
principal witnesses late yesterday and
were examined regarding their H.
nances. Thorson testified he was at
tached to the governors office as spe-
cial agent and bodyguard Of the gov
ernor.
Certain deposits each man made last
fall and in December were the. points
in issue. Witt could not add any fur
ther light to his previous statement
that he could not remember the source
Of two deposits totalns 5000 late in
September and early in October while
Thorson could not remember max
ing deposit of se.475 on Dec. IS, as
his bank book showed
This amount he, withdrew thirty-four
days later.
Money For Exposition Probe.
One hundred dollars was appropriat-
ed by the Iowa senate to defray cx-
penses of the special committee ap-
pointed yesterday W SSliSt'V
Gitures of the Iowa commission to the
Panama Pacific exposition.
j. NJ Pierce. Publisher Of the Iowa
Homestead, who made the charges that
resulted in the inquiry. will be- the
principal witness. II was said today.
Other witnesses will include Wood
worth Clum. Of Davenport, secretary OF
the Panama Pacific commission, and
members Of the retrenchment and re-
form committee which investigated the
commissions expenditures last year.
Senator Pitt, Of Logan. chairman OF
the investigating committee, said the
report to the senate would be ready by
April IA. as required by the resolution
ordering the inquiry.
Auto License Bill Passed.
Without dissenting vote the Iowa
house OF representatives today passed
measure virtually doubling autono-
bile licenses, effective next year. and
including d provision for the return OF
the automobile department to the sec
retary of the states office July !, 1919.
The measure, drafted by the house
and senate joint motor vehicles COM
tulttce, Is lIf eHeCt IL SuppieHient " 'hc
good roads bin. 1t is designed to In
crease annual automobile revenues to
nearly $5,06O,O0O on the basis of present
registration. or nearly double the re-
turn for this year. r
Pleasure cars and trucks would be
required to pay minimum license fee
of SIS, with an additional tax on
pleasure cars.o VI per cent on valua-
ton in excess Of $1,000. The fee on
trucks ranges up to 5000 for five-ton
truck with solid tires
County treasurcrs wouid issue the
license plates in their respective
counties with the cooperation OF the
secretary OF state who would provide
the necessary blanks and plates In
order that the statewide system Of
license. numbering could be retained.
The return Of the automobile de-
partment to the secretary OF state was
adopted 76 to 1S. The bureau recent
ly was transferred to the state treas
urers Office thru legislative enactment
after charges Of inefficiency had been
made against W. s. Allen. secretary of
state. whose resignation takes effect
july i. 2