The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1904-01-01
Il MILLS IN z YEARS
New Ones; Activity in Zinc Mines
in Wisconsin.
VAN HIsE is DOING VERY WELL
Student Body Orderly Under His Wig.
orcus Management-Railr
Reduce Rates Voluntarily.

drag a bit during the holidays, but aft
er January first the Baensch move
ment will be thoroughly organized.
There will be Office work done and a
financial end; and Judge Baensch will
get round the state. Of course, he is
absolutely unlike the governor; and
there is strength in that, for imitation
is fatal and such dynamo as Govern.
or LaFollette never can be initiated.
The Succession to Baensch.
When Henry Ward Beecher died, the
superficial said now we will find as
his successor some brilliant personal
ity, some powerful word painter but
the thoughtful did nothing of the sort.
They selected Lyman Abbott, a grave,
studiOus man, and he made a success
of the pulpit largely because he was
totally unlike Beecher, so the people
were not continually drawing mental
comparisons.
So it is with Baensch. He makes
good speeches. but they are not bril-
liant, overwhelming oratorical displays
like the governors, who is one Of the
greatest in modern times on that line.
Baensch talks quietly; he is absolute
ly unaffected and modest; and you are
drawn to the man quite as much as
to what he says. He is tactful and
never makes a blunder He is especi-
ally strong with his own people, the
Germans. He has talked to big gath
erings in our Maennerchor hall, men,
women and children, including the
German literature department of the
state university; and on such occasions
he makes friends ON every side. So
his friends expect big things of Judge
Baensch when he gets out among the
people.
Zinc in Southwest Wisconsin.
1t will certainly be news to many
to learn that twenty-One concentration
mills have been erected in the south
west Wisconsin district in the last
two years and that seventeen of them
were in active operation during the
last summer. The ore is not so clean
as that found at Joplin Mo-, as it car
ries Il considerable quantity of iron,
and for this reason it received at first
no particular attention. Improved
metallurgical processes have, however
shown that this district contains one of
the most considerable reserve sup
plies of zine in the country.
Van Hise Fills the Bill.
The faculty men tell me President
> Van Hise is proving a success. When
he was selected there was much dis
appointment in some quarters. The
'Birge men" especially, and others felt
that pure scientist lacked the versa
tility. for the post. But as time wears
on,the feeling is that the man is equal
to it. He is an executive, as these
practical scientists are apt to be; that
is, he gets results. His choice of Pro
fesSOr COmstock, the astronomer. to
manage the big fiftieth anniversary
jubilee next June, is an illustration.
Professor COmStOck was present at the
Yale festival which celebrated 200
years of college existence; he is a man
of much sense. enthusiasm and tact
thoroughly agreeable to everyone. He
has not enjoyed robust health but his
college duties have practically been
taken from his shoulders that he may
give all his energies to the big job.
The Six O'Clock club January 4 will
consider the matter. when Governor
LaFollette will preside, the idea being
to inform Madison people of what IN
important occasion the jubilee is to be-
There will be 500 invitations sent out
TO university sages and celebrities the
world over; and while they will not all
come, great numbers of distinguished
people will he present from foreign
points and at home. The event con-
tinues number of days.
Influence on Student Body.
To revert to President Van Hise, the
chief of police says the improvement
in public order on the part of the
student body since his accession has
J. been marked. He gave them a talk at
the beginning to the effect that he eX-
pected them to conduct themselves in
manly fashion. with a strong intima-
ton that those who did not would be
removed A frank, manly personality
himself, the boys respect him and
there is a feeling on the part of citi-
zens that a strong hand is at the helm.
Governor LaFollette and President
Van Hise are close friends from col
lege days and the LaFollette influence
in the social and other departments of
university life has perceptibly quick
ened.
Railroad Matters.
The railroad companies announce a
considerable reduction in freight rates,
(actins by agreement in the matter.)
For instance. the rate on coal from
Milwaukee to points 200 miles away
is about % cents lower per ton Com
modify rates-that is on large ship
ments by manufacturers and the like
continue as they are. 1t is these
that the administration intimate are
privileged rates. though the railroad
companies reply they are open to all.
1t is supposed that the reductions will
have a political bearing and upset the