The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1903-03-27

see this bill passed III is entirety
however. There is GaEGes that in
the quarreling that may e.:aue, no
agreement can be reached, II which
event, some think Gov. L&Fal'ett will
be i'll the position OF martyr" and
IN great form for "a fresh appeal to
the people, Whether the people will
respond to appeal No. 3. is something
that his friends and opponents differ
about
Holding Back Big Bills.
This is the tenth week of tie SEES
sion. The big bills have been held
back for one reason or another, and
some of the committees are backward
III sending in their measures. This,
or course, is a matter largely within
the scope of the chairmen, who are
very influential folks, where the pro-
gress, and indeed, the destiny Of legis-
lation is concerned.
State Control of Freight Rates.
There is a saying that petitions
have lost their efficacy and it is SO,
except on the rare occasions where
1t is big one-perhaps engrossed ON
the American flag and toted into the
nails Of legislation by four perspiring
Worklngmen. In such way one can
sometimes make an impression Of
aroused sentiment. But the routine
petitions of j. Jones and II others"
have little or no weight. Madison re-
I
the other day, OF different order.
It was an invasion of big shippers,
Jobbers, etc, who came to protest
against the bill to establish a state
board of railroad commissioners. They
We're joined by some big men OF the
railroad companies who, of course,
want no supervision of their freight
rates; but it was an influential de-
scent ON the asSemblymen and SEM
ators, especially the wealthy and in
fuential business men from their own
districts. Gov. LaFollette in his
message urged strongly the idea and
quoted figures showing apparently
lower rates III Iowa (where they have
had q commission since Granger
days., and the superior prosperity of
that state as a result. Replies We're
made to these claims; but the main
argument of the jobbers was that they
don't want an expensive state board
set up-that the present railroad COM
missioner is capable OF righting their
wrongs, etc. The administration was
shy of able speakers, Frank w. Hall
being an exception. Mr. Hall is a
Madison attorney, who tries cases in
the supreme court in the morning,
manages hospital and public library
matters in the afternoon, and writes
articles for the logical reviews in the
evening. He is a beautiful talker, and
while. smiling graciously AL the while
can put the knife in to the :hilt--
as he did at the railroad hearing-aud
turn it with great effectiveness.
It is true That the btSl assumes pres
ent freight rates just and provides fer
their 1essening only after most guard
ed and even judicial review 1T is
true, too, that heavy retailers favor
such a system, though not organized
to assert themselves as ere the manu-
facturers, but the proposition is so
tial that it is likely the proposition
must mature and melloD7 before be-
ing enacted into law.
Part of LaFoMette's Programme.
1t must be a great disappointment
to the governor for it has been reas-
0ned there isn't much use in raising
the taxes on railroads. when they can
so readily reimburse themselves by
raising freight rates. The effect,
however, will be to make the rail-
with the people, now that they know
more about the state regulation idea.
Exemption 0f Credits
The senate passed easily the bill to
exempt credits from taxation. 1t was
no surprise, after the attitude taken
by the tax commission, and an article
in the Milwaukee Free Press .conced-
ing the proposition. By this bill mort
cages are exempted from taxation, as
well as bonds, notes and all other
forms Of credit. The measure was
opposed by Senator McGilliyray, who
made a lengthy speech against it. In
the exemption of mortgages from tax
alton. the administration men swept
away much of the work of the super
,yisors Of assessment appointed to dig
up such Intangible property" as cred
it's are called, and naturally there is
opposition to the bill 1t is likely
that the bill will pass the assembly
when it comes up on that side, but it
cannot become a law at this session.
BY thus adherfng to the tax commits
sion's judgment, the ad valorem bill
for taxing railroad property is put in
better shape.
Taxation of Railroads.
Ad valorem taxation is not yet on
the floor of the senate. 1t has been
supposed that with the governors
and the prestige Of the tax
commission, together with stalwarts
supposed to favor it, the new system
would surely be substituted. The liz
cense fee is very convenient, however,