Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1923-01-10

revenues supplied from the public
treasury
The governor cites the recent dis
covery of alleged gratis in Des
Moines amounting to $4,000, as
proof of the value of state audits.
This matter was uncovered by state
checkers.
As to code revision, the governor
was outspoken and positive. a
subject of prime Importance" he
said, SIS the revision of the code.
The whole body of our statutory law
is in inextricable confusion, and it
should be simplifed, clarified and
codified. | am convinced that revi-
sion can be effected at the regular
session upon which you entered yes
terday, without dislocating other
necessary business. The way to re-
wise the code between this January
9 and next April 3 is to revise it;
not by predicting in advance that ir
cannot be done and deferring it, but
by resolving at once that it shall be
done, and doing it.
The governors ideas as to the
highways laws cover three points:
More attention to secondary roads,
making state law conform with fed
eral aid requirements. and super
vision and taxation Of motor buses
and motor freight lines.
Ii was pointed out that, to be
sure of federal road aid, Iowa paw
ing projects must be entirely under
the jurisdiction of the state high
way authority, both as to mainten-
ance, and as to determination of the
character of surfacing. The present
Iowa law leaves such determinations
i'm the hands of county boards of
supervisors.
As to motor passenger and freight
lines, the governor stated the be-
lief that they should be placed un-
der the regulation Of the railway
commission as TO rates and schedule,
that they should be required 20 rurN-
ish bond to indemnify against In
jury Of person or property, and that
there should be levied against them
a reasonable occupational tax, which
shall reimburse to some extent at
least their impairment or the high
WAYS"
The message offered especial COM
mendation as to the work of the
state board of control, during the
last two years; the condition of the
Iowa national guard, and the work
of the state printing board.
Joseph II. Anderson of Winnebago
county, who took the chair as speak
err of tie house Monday, is farm
er and a former school teacher. He
is also a legislative veteran, having
served in four previous sessions, as
member of the house. He has
strong and positive views az 10 high
way legislation, and in past session
he has evidenced particular interest
in drainage legislation. In the ses-
sion two years ago he was chair
man of the important committee on
agriculture.
Anderson is a native of Winnie
bago county. His early education
was gained in the rural schools
there, and in State Teachers College
at Cedar Falls from which he was
graduated in 1895. For two years
he was principal of schools at Fair )
bank, Iowa, after which he went
farming. In 1905 he left the
to become clerk of the district coz
at Forest City and remained
that post until 1918.
In the legislature he has never
been wholly identified with any,
pra,'-;; - roads laws, preferring
iii ner 5Rf t ISSttaaG s his
own thinking. Two years ago he
drafted and sponsored bill pro-
posing to return to county boards OF
supervisors supreme authority over
ali except primary roads. He frank
Iy admits that he is still of the same
disposition, and his highway COM
mittee appointments probably will be
made accordingly. But he is not OPP
posed to some state supervision OF
highways. On the contrary he stat
ed to this writer the day before the
speakership election that he consid-
cred state control over primary roads
RI he a ueceSSity.