Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1903-03-31
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The statements before the Assembly
committee on State affairs relative to
the active war that is being waged be-
tween the Bell telephone company and
TIE independent lines has given an i'm,
pftns to the Barker bill to regulate the
Fates of the companies, an impetus that
sousd be gained IN no other way. Mem
bers who listened to the statements on
both sides are satisfied that something
ought to be done in the way of at least
hiking maximum charge. The Donald
bill would nix a minimum charge in that
II seeks to prevent company from
charging less for its phones in one city
OF a certain class than il does in an
other This is claimed TO be restrictive
OF competition ana it is claimed TO be Il
violation of constitutional rights. The
independent companies want the rates
kepl up TO a figure where they can Cp-
crate at profit aud TO protect them
selves against the fierce competition of
the Bell company which gives away
phones rather than permit the indepen-
dents TO live. The Barker bill would
AN'N'F q NNAiNHNAdl SItGA III NnaN II NOuiu
make it impossible for the Bell company
to charge an eXorbitant rate in one city.
The fact that it can regulate its own
charges and fixes high rates in cities
where there is no competition furnishes
the means the independent companies
say, whereby it is able to give away
phones wherever there is competition.
Telephone companies, the independents
say, are quasi public corporations be-
cause they operate for the benefit of the
company and they hold il is fop the best
interests of the State to protect them
against the competition of the Bell COM
pany.
The biennial distribution of neckties
upon the part of David Evans, lr.,
among the newspaper correspondents
took place Friday and Saturday. Since
his advent as a legislator, as "A member
of the House of Representatives. Mr..
Evans has unfailingly remembered the
newspaper men by the presentation of
neckyies. Mr.. Evans has other claims to
distinction as a member of the House
of Commons, his first action To attract
attention during the present session be-
ing lis vote for Judge Webb for United
States Senator. lie was the only Re-
publican member that cast his vote for
anyone other than Senator Spooner, al
though 1t was afterwards changed in
favor of the Madison man. Mr.. Evans
is occupying the same position in the
Legislature that A. II. Hall occupied
concerning anti-railroad legislation. He
is the author of the 2cert mileage bill.
chat seeking to reduce the cost of rail
road travel Before the committee Mr..
Evans had the best of the argument by
pbligng the railroad lobbyists to admit
that the figures they presented covering
railroad earnings were secured from the
earnings four years ago before the anti
pass law went into effect. Mr. Evans
occupies the same position in the lower
house relative to woman's suffrage that
Senator 0'Neill occupies in the upper
branch. He will present the argument
in favor of the bill when it finally comes
before the Assembly.
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The statement of Dean Henry of the
college of agriculture that the Iowa Leg
islatpre at its last two sessions appro-
priatQd more than S1,000.000 for its agri-
cultural school has furnished food for
great deal Of reflection on the part of the
members, and the belief is rapidly grow
ing that the Wisconsin Legislature has
not been as liberal as it might have been
or as it ought to be. particularly as the
Wisconsin college of agriculture was the
pioneer institution and nearly all of the
agricultural colleges in the States have
been fashioned largely after the Wiscon-
sin Institution. This speaks well for
Prof. Henry, but the compliment is lost
sight of in the magnificent appropriations
made by other States, apparently upon
the ulere statement that the money IN
necessary. 1t is a remarkable fact that
while the Wisconsin college Of agricul-
ture = considered In the foremost rank
and AL of its improvements are immedi-
ately copied and it's courses Incorporated
into those of the colleges of other States,
the Wisconsin Legislature has nerve
granted an appropriation for the insttTA-
ton without constant urging and continu-
al begging. Even then the full amoune
of the appropriation asked has never
been granted.
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Fornearly twenty years The stationary
engineers have been endeayoring To in
duce She Legislature to create State
board tfor the licensing and examination
of engineers. The great objection To the
move has always been that il would be
impractical to require farmers who have
threshing machines and who use station
airy engines for various farm purposes,
to submit To an examination and secure a
licensel That has been the argument
that has never failingly resulted in the
death of the BILL The present measure
is different. however, from any that has
heretofore been presented. Provision has
been aade whereby the objection has
largely been done away with mostly by
exemp ing thresling machines and en-
gines iised for similar purposes from the
operation Of the act Another argument
against the move was that the small
manufacturers. those accustomed to take
care OF their own engines, acting per-
sonally' in the capacity Of engineers,
would be obliged TO submit 10 an exam
nation and secure license. All of these
objections have been met and overcome
10 great extent in the present measure
and for that reason it is in a fair way
TO receive favorable consideration.
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The druggists have begun - line Up
the Senators against the passage Of the
Lang antitrust bill The bill Is aimed
directly at the druggists and is to pre-
vent combinatiocs regulating the selling
of patent medicineS in particular. Its
passage through the assembly was doe
to statements on druggists, who related
the difficulties they had had after incur
ring the dsipleasure Of the combine by
undersesling. Lobbyists are at work
among the members Of rhe upper house
and it would not be surprising if they
succeeded in their efforts.
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Insurance Commissioner Host has pre-
pared his preliminary report on the bust
ness done by the fire insurance compan-
les Of The State during the year 1902.
The report shows that the total amount
of risks written during the year was
1912. 636, us: the premiums paid the
companies. 5.2Gf ,227l3; losses incur
red. 81 800. $500, and losses paid. ST.
639. 613.T5. This shows that 80 far ~
Wisconsin was concerned the Insurance