Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1903-03-28
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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
the independent lines has given an inn
petus to the Barker bill to regulate tho
rates of the companies, an impetus that
could 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 ut least
fixing a maximum charge. The Donald
bill would fix a minimum charge in that
| 1t seeks to prevent a company from
charging less for its phones in one city
of a certain class than it does in an
other. This is claimed to be restrictive
Of competition and it is claimed to be u
violation of constitutional rights. The
independent companies want the rates
kept up to a figure where they can op-
crate at profit and 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
have a beneficial effect in that it would
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 tho
company and they hold it is for 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, Jr.,
| 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 unfailngly remembered the
newspaper men by the presentation OF
neckties 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 his vote for Judge Webb for United
States Senator. He was the only Ike
publican member that cast his vote for
cnyone other than Senator Spooner, al
though it was afterwards changed III
favor of the Madison man. Mr.. Evans
is occupying the same position in tho
Legislature that A. II. Hall occupied
concerning anti-railroad legislation. He
is the author Of the Scent mileage bill,
| that seeking to reduce the cost OF rail-
road travel. Before the com1Rittce Mr..
Evans had the best of the argument by
obliging the railroad lobbyists to admit
that the figures they presented covering
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 O'Neill occupies in the upper
branch He will present the argument
in favor of the bill when it finally comes
/ before the Assembly.
The statement of Dean Henry Of the
college of agriculture that the Iowa Leg
isature at its last two sessions appro-
prated more than 81 100000 for its agri-
cultural school has furnished food for a
| great deal of reflection on the part of tho
members, and the belief is rapidly grow
! ing that the Wisconsin Legislature has
not been as liberal as 1t might have been
: or MS it ought to be, particularly as the
Wisconsin college of agriculture was the
pioneer institution and nearly all of the
| agricultural colleges III the States have
beer fashioned largely after the Wiscon-
! sin institution. This speaks well Tor
Prof Henry, but the compliment is lost
sight of in the magnificent appropriations
made by other States, apparently upon
the mere statement that the money is
! necessary 1t is a remarkable fact that
| ,,,h;l ho
ture is considered in the foremost rank
and all of its improvements are immedi-
ately copied and its courses Incorporated
into those of the colleges Of other States,
tho Wisconsin Legislature has never
granted an appropriation for the institu-
! ton without constant urging and continu-
al begging. Even then the full amount
of the appropriation asked has never
! been granted.
Members Of both houses feel they are
being imposed upon to a considerable
extent because their numerous correspon-
| dents fail to enclose postage when MAX
ing inquiry or asking for the favor OK
copies Of bills or reports. There seems
TO be an impression prevalent that the
State pays all of the postage, but his
is not so as many of the members have
found to their sorrow. Some OF them are
spending as much as So per day for
postage This is largely in the distribu-
ton of reports. Many of the reports
coat Z and s cents to send through the
mails. and when rs or 100 Of ones
constituents send for them it Is any
thing but JOY for the members.
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
/ S312, 630,71S; the premiums paid the
companies, 1921 227.13; losses incur
red. 81 600, $500, al.u losses paid, ST.
! 639,G13.75 This shows that so far as
Wisconsin was concerned the insurance
business was profitable business during
the year