The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1919-04-23
STATE SOLONS
COMPLETE WORK.
Closing Days of Iowa Legislature
Crowded to Utmost on Account OF
Demands Made Upon Members

Closing Days OF Iowa Legislature
Crowded to Utmost on Account of
Demands Made Upon Members
IT EouALED OTHER SESSIONS
Four Hundred and Fifty Bills Passed,
Chief Among Them Being the
Road Bill and Appropriations
DES MONIES, April 21-(Special to
the Review)-The 3Sth general assem-
bly, completed its work Saturday eve
ming with most of the important meas
ures off the calendar. The closing
days of the session were crowded to
the limit on account of the extra de-
mands made upon the members be-
cause of numerous Investigations that
were ordered. The most important Of
these was the effort Of majority of
the Judiciary committee to vote i'm
peachment charges against Governor
Harding. Besides the time consumed
in committee meetings this case re.
quired practically two full days for
discussion. The minority report to
censor rather than impeach carried
by vote of 70 to 81. The committee
appointed to investigate the charges
brought by MI. Pierce, publisher of
the Homestead, against Wpodworth
Clum, secretary of the Greater Iowa
association, were investigated by a
committee of the senate, but owing to
a lack of time the entire matter Of the
expenditure of funds at the San Fran
cisco exposition was referred to COM
mittee on retrenchment and reform
with instructions to report to the ex-
ecutive council within 80 days.
The work Of the general assembly
measures up we'll with other sessions.
Something like 450 bills were passed.
Conspicuous among these are the road
bill the appropriation for million
dollar building fof temple of justice
on the state house grounds, the va
rious measures for the benefit of edu-
cational advancement and the adjust
ment of salaries to cOmpOrt with the
high cost of living. Among the import
ant school measures was the Smith
bill providing for the establishment Of
consolidated schools, the Smith-Evans
bill making an appropriation for rural
school development and the Fellows
bill providing for an advance in the
salaries of school teachers
The salary list was given thorough
overhauling, especially as it pertains
to those in subordinate positions at
work for the state. The salary of
county officials was raised and a gen.
eral readjustment of public service
was part OF the general plan.
The motor tax bill caused as much
study and revision as any bill that was
passed. All sorts of views were ad-
vanced as to the best method of equit-
able adjustment of the matter. The
bill as finally passed was a compro-
mise measure. The housing bill was
another important piece of legislation
which required much study and delib-
eraton. .--..
The appropriations will surpass
those made by any previous legisla-
ture. The demands made upon the
management of the various state In
stitutions on account of the high prices
for goods and labor and all equipment
caused an unusually large appropria-
ton to so to the board of control.
In the closing days Of the session
the senate confirmed the various ap-
pointments made by the governor and
all branches of the state service are
fully equipped for duty. The investi-
cations made served a good purpose
in that greater efficiency will result
and there will be fewer causes for pub
lie criticism. ~,
Notwithstanding the strenuous times
because of the investigation of Gov.
Harding for the Rathbun pardon and
the part Attorney General Havner
took in the case there was no evidence
of bitterness or factionalism among
the membership of either house and
this enabled the treatment of all
measures presented upon ther merits.
100000 Annually to Aid Schools
An appropriation Of 100000 annual
ly as aid to rural schools which meet
certain standards to be fixed by the
state superintendent is provided in
the Evans and Smith bill. These
schools must be i'll session nine months
OF the year and a daily attendance Of
at least ten in order to receive any
portion of the aid. The aid will be
apportioned at the rate of Sc annually
for. each pupil who has attended legu-
larly six months.
The vocational education bill by
Weaver of Polk was also passed by
the senate, the vote being 20 for and
IL against. This gives $4,000 during
the first year of the coming biennial
period and $5O,000 the second year.
The Motor Taxing Law
This measure provides for annual
number plates and makes the tax de-
linquent after January 1st of each year
or payable any time during December.
Instead of applying for the license at
the Office of The state automobile de-
partment, application is made to the
county treasurer in the county where
the machine is purchased. Various
colored cards are provided for each
year. These are to be exhibited, there
by permitting peace officers to tell
whether tax is properly paid. =
These same cards also carry the
number of the car, factory number,
engine number and other data with the
owners signature and are registered
with the owners name with the secre-
tary of the state.
Before car can be sold the trans
fer must be certified to in the office OF
the secretary.
The amount of the fee is based upon
both the weight and value Of the ma
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