Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1903-01-21


toriaI address is a matter of fact state
ment of the condition of state finances,
with some commonplace observations
on state topics and perhaps a cautious
recommendation or two.
LaFoilette Tackles Things.
But nothing that the governor does
is common place. His message was
the longest on record--vigorous, dras-
tic and alive with newness. The most
signal feature was his proposal of a
state railroad commission--a body of
men who shall nave the power to linn
it freight rates, to prescribe maximum
charges for certain distances and
classes of freight beyond which the
railroad companies may not exact. The
only relief for the company is to take
its dispute TO the courts.
Radical as this may strike many,
there is abundant precedent. Iowa
and Illinois have state railroad COM
missions which prescribe rates; and
it was with those states that the strik-
inc tables of comparison were made
by the governor. 1t seems futile to
question the tables. at least those that
show Wisconsin shippers are paying
from IS to 40 per cent. more for equal
distances than the two states referred
to. Much of the laborious statistical
work was done, it is understood, by
Mr.. Erickson, the laboI commissioner,
and by a Milwaukee man, an associate
of Z. 2. Bacon, the business man, who
has long insisted that Milwaukee was
suffering from discrimination in rail-
road freight charges. OF course, AS
semblyman A. II. Hall Of Dunn county
was the pioneer in tLis refol III. Ses-
sion after session / have heard him
read tables Of this sort, comparing sta
tions In Iowa and Wisconsin wv ich he
named) equidlstant from Chicago, yet
paying unequal freigbts. Hall was
wont to scatter circulars VI the same
tenor among the members in his effort
TO enact railway commission; but he
talked into the east wild. Now that
Governor Lal'ollette has brought his
influence to bear, his voice, his organ
izing talent, aBd committee his adher-
ents to the movement, It must be that
a struggle VIII come. For it cannot
be that the powerful railway companies
win do other than resist such control
of what seems TO them their private
business.
The RsiIroad ArguI tents.
Of course, there are two sides Of the
question, aud the railroads have not
yet been heard in this state. The
governor is a champion Of reforms, not
a judicial officer. Comparisons with
other states are well enough. but when
debate IS On it deals with things at
home. and the abstract question: Of
long and cheap hauis ye-s,s short and
extensive hauls. Of cities and villages
as termlni with loaded or empty cars
TO take back; Of the sparsely settled
northern Wisconsin-all these things
viii be introduced and will have
weight. Then, too, the railroad lobby
is here. Despite the reform" atm0s-
phere, the limited attendance Of visit
tors, and the notably respectable
character Of members. officials and ali
else. the railroads VIII work along the
OtQ INES.
No Longer Tax on Earnings.
The governor evidently studied to
avoid bitterness or the personal ele-
rneat in his message. and thus avert
be charge that he relishes a fight and
dislIkes harmony But the message is
positive just the same. Take the SUBJ
! ject Of railroad axation-''the compan-
! ics owe us a mllnon dollars more a
year" says Governor LaFollette, "aDd
we want it." His authority is the last
report of the state tax commission.
! HIS plea for taxation Of railroad prop
erty as any other property is taxed
! tthe ad yal0rem Eygtemj-instean VI the
/ present license system finds a fresh
/ precedent nea~ home in Michigan, that
/ state reaping the fruit Of the dead