Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1919-01-30

the most profitable Of the industries
operated by the state. The total
cost OF machinery and equipment to
date is $7,1S6.60, and the total in
vestment $S1,166.04. The industry
has earned over $50,000.O0 in profits
during the last two years. The ag-
gregate sales for the period amount
ed to $260,670.62.
The brick and tile factory at Knox
vile is valued at about $40, 100000.
The total sales for the period were
s32,1S2.6s. There are on hand prod
ucts to the value Of $7,062. 12. The
industry has earned substantial
profit which is shown mostly in in
creased fixed assets.
The combined industries have
made a remarkable showing during
this period The last year especially
has been a very prosperous year for
the chair and tub factories. The ag-
gregate amount Of sales and receipts
for service performed by the various
industrial departments is over $780,
900 and the net profits. not including
reserves, over 100000.
The work Of convicts on farms q
considerable distance from the state
penitentiary and reformatory has not
been found practical. Discipline can
not be maintained as it should be.
The results are very different in
farming operations on lands adjoin-
ing the prison, and this is conclu-
sively shown by the results obtained
this year at the reformatory, where
1880 acres were farmed, showing a
net profit of over $4,000, 1000 acres
of this land being leased by the
Board.
| recommend that you appropriate
SITS, 900 for the purchase Of addition
al acreage at the reformatory, and
$4,000 for additional acreage at the
state penitentiary. The Board holds
an option now on the 1000 acres OF
leased land at the reformatory, and
at very reasonable price.
The dairy herds Of the state num-
Der 1884 cows and have produced
milk of the value of $27S,O45.45.
Building construction was halted
for the period Of the war except such
buildings as were contracted for or
started, and such buildings as were
absolutely necessary in order to take
proper care OF the work at the in
situations. This means that extra al
lowances will have to be made for
repair funds, and it is good economy
to keep the buildings in the best pos
sible condition.
Your attention is directed to the
custodial farm located at Give. l
suggest that it is an economy to COM
plete this farm along the lines orig
inally planned. The old system of
throwing men in jail to be idle is
wasteful and does not bring about
the reform in the individual that is
desired. Money used for punching
Iowa real estate is not squandered or
wasted. The state can afford to buy
literally to furnish wholesome en-
ployment for the derelicts.
i Tho question OF Transportation.
both Of passengers and freight, is
one OF vital interest to all the peaple
of the state. The road question can
not be separated from the larger one
of general transportation.
At the present time our transpor-
tation system includes railroads, In
terurban roads, and wagon roads or
highways. In considering the road
question, We necessarily must keep
i'm mind these other means of trans
portation.
Just now, there is considerable
agitation about highway improve
ments. Some there are who contend
that our entire road building system
should be changed. Ny own thought
Is, after rather complete study OF
the systems Of other states, that
Iowa has a system that is as we'll
adapted to the needs Of the state
as can we'll be devised. My sugges-
tion. therefore. is that you make as
few changes as possible in the pres
emf, road law and system. and none
that are not primarily necessary.
The 100000 miles of roads Of the
state are now divided into three sys-
TENS: $4,000 miles Of township road,
10000 miles Of country road, and 5000
miles of inter.country road.
The highway commission took a
census Of traffic in 1917 at forty-sev-
en- stations located in seventeen diff
ferent counties widely distributed in
the state. These counts were all
taken on the roads Of the inter-
country system. OF the total Of this
count, 46 per cent was local traffic
made up of town to town, farm to
town, and town to farm traffic; A
percent Of the total was interurban
and inter-country traffic; and 61s
per cent WAS tourist or interstate
TRAFFIC. From these figures. we read.
ny ascertain the real road problem
In this state, that IS, to provide a
road for local traffic made un OF the