Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1903-03-12

the thought now is that the ad valorem
plan will be adopted.
Aimed at Insurance Combines.
Baron Won COtZhaGsen of Milwaukee
agitated for ad valorem taxation of
railroads dozen years ago, but his
connection with the reform is forgot
ten now. At present he is interested
with others of Milwaukee and else
where to break up insurance combines
in the cities. In 1897 an act was
passed that prevented insurance COM
panieS uniting to raise premiums but
a provso left the door open for agents
to do So And SO in many cities there
is a union of underwriters with a
superintendent through whose hands
all business goes. Milwaukee people
claim they have a splendid fire depart
ment and are ever increasing it's effec-
tiveness at large expense, only to see
their premiums advance. In 1902 the
premiums collected in that city were
$1,535, 147; fire losses paid, $46S, 1862. !
Ten years premiums collected were:
1851, 800; fire losses paid, $5,013,9S2 !
A booklet issued by Mr.. Won Cotz-
hansen states that the average losses
for the last ten 10) years have been
less than forty (40) per cent of the
premiums collected, although the fire
loss of 1895 was exceptional, and plac-
ed by them at nearly one and half
Il 1-2) million.
Reforms in Mr.. Hosts Office.
The insurance commissioners office
is yet in the enjoyment Of fees and the
Barker bill to abolish these is attract
ing much attention. During the Frick
term records were begun showing the
extent of fees received, and while the
Peck O'ConnOr administration put an
end to interest moneys as a perQuisite
for state treasurers, the insurance COM
missioner's office has seen fees in
creased until now that official receives
three or four times as much income as
the, governor Of the state
State Control of Railroads.
At last we have the bill to establish
a state commission with power to
name maximum freight charges. 1t
provides for three commissioners,
whose salaries shall be $4,000 each, to
be appointed by the governor confirm
ed by the senate, except that the
present railroad commissioner shall
serve as a commissioner during his
term. The term Of office will be for
, six years. One shall be an expert ac-
countant and statistician, and the
other shall have general understand
ing of matters relating to railroad
transportation and the laws pertain
ing thereto Whether the best talent
can beAsecured for the money is doubt
full. Certainly the railroads pay more
than that for first class ability and
training. The clerks appointed by the
board shall receive a salary of $1,000
and the stenographer a salary of $75
a month. The fullest powers are Civ
en- the members to DO what railroad
commissioners do in Iowa and Hi !
noiS. s'J t. &'<' s@t'1'
Odds aud Ends.
| Rattle snakes and crows are in peril
country members have bills that pro-
vide bounties on the pests. 1t is even
urged that the crows attack sheep and
children. showing there is a lot OF
not know. The compulsory education
bill is very important-it is still being
| considered with the women's clubs es-
| pecially back of it. /
! Socially the session is quiet; in fact.
despite the important measures there
| is less excitement anywhere The lob
| by on all sorts of measures is very
active and large, but no evidences of
objectional features are in sight. There
is more order and dignity about the
corridors than at some sessions, and
while the pay rolls Of the two houses
carry some people who do nothing ex-
cept draw pay, the former spectacle |
of light-minded females and handsome !
idlerS joking and engaged in queS-
tionable intimaces has been abated. |
There never was a higher class of fe- |
male clerks and employees than at this
session.
The notion that there is legislation !
bought and sold is almost fanciful One |
of the largest corporations, the North |
western Mutual Life Insurance Co., /!
has long made it rule not to allow
a cent to be spent indirectly" not
only on ethical grounds but because if |
start were made on this line there |
would be no end of the demands on it. |
Nor is a check often drawn, or a |
cash transfer. 1t is too risky, nor are |
these many lawmakers sufficiently dis |
honest. When it is necessary to do |
dirty business of this sort, it is usual
ly done by gambling. The mai whose
vote or influence is wanted finds him
self winner Of large amounts and
before he knows it is so tied up to |
his generous friends that he cannot |
we'll refuse what is wanted of him.
The right of woman to vote was dis
cussed before a joint committee the |
other afternoon One young woman
lawyer of Chicago made a notable i'm