Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1904-03-14

fire as accurately as / am able 10
give il after examination and re-eX-
animation. by experts competent TO
pass critical judgment upon existing
conditions.
Loss Only s250,ooo.
The financial loss 10 the state upon
the capitol building, resulting from
the fire. including all damage from
smoke and water to unburned nor
tions. will. as before stated. amount
10 the sum OF S25OOOO. This state
ment is based on the carefully reyis-
ed calculations OF competent expert
authority, and is corroborated by the
judgment OF architects, engineers and
builders.
a contract can be closed at once,
with ample bonds for rs faithful per
Torrance, by one of the most reput-
able contractors in the state. expert
enced in the construction of public
buildings. providing and stipulating
for the restoration of the capitol,
undermining its construction as to
material and workmanship, and COW
ering the same with a fire proof roof
so that when finished il would be SUI
perior in all respects to the building
as 1t stood one week ago. for the sum
OF S275.OOO.
Authority to Rebuild.
While the authority conferred under
existing law is sufficient to warrant
the execution Of such a contract, the
demand for some enlargement Of the
present structure, affording accommo-
dations for over-crowded departments,
we'll understood by all acquainted with
the situation, and officially recognized
by the last legislature. might render
such action unwise and detrimental to
the public interests.
Commission at Work.
II was in recognition of these condi-
lions. and directly in response TO an
urgent appeal from the supreme court
for more room and for better accom-
modations for the valuable law library
that the legislature of 1908 enacted
chapter 500 Of the laws of that session.
The act provided for commission
with powers TO procure plans for the
needed accommodations for the state
law library and supreme judicial de-
partment, and To make such changes
harmonious with the capitol building,
and also adaptable TO notifications re-
quired by the future growth and ex-
pansion Of the business of the state
To enable the commits
sion TO procure plans comprehensive
enough 10 insure this purpose, $4,000
was appropriated. In addition thereto,
100000 was appropriated for the ex-
ecution of that part of the plans which
pertained 10 additional accommodate
ton for the state law library and SUI
preme court.
Much Work Completed.
All the work Of. that commission,
to the submission of a pro-
gram as a guide TO the architects, had
been completed. In the Judgment OF
the commission, no such change has
occurred by reason of the partial de-
struction Of the capitol, as to interfere
i'm any manner with either the author
ity OF the commission, or the duty i'm
posed upon it by the act of the legis-
lature, TO procure plans in accordance
Herewith. These. conclusions were
reached with entire unanimity of judg
ment on the part of the commission,
as was the further conclusion that be-
yond the procuring of plans, no further
action should be taken by the commits
SIGN without additional legislation.
No Need of Extra Session.
The legislature could take no action
at the present time for the construc-
ton OF a new capitol building, or for
the enlargement of the present build
ing. without awaiting the preparation
of plans therefor. This would of ne
cessity occasion an adjournment and
a reassembling of the legislature later
when such plans could be submitted
for its consideration.
Under chapter $50 of the laws of
1908. plans will be procured by the
and presented to the leg
lEAnAAAG AUA It's GDnSAnNAh nc Us
islature will then be in a position to
take such action as is deemed wise
and for the best interests of the com
Room for All in Capitol
At the present time the executive,
of state, attorney general,
tax commission, bureau of labor, and
land office. as well as the supreme jul
dicial department and state law Ii
brary are provided for in the capitol
building.
A large part of the working force of
the secretary Of state, state treasurer,
railroad commissioner. superintendent
of public property and several commits
sions and bureaus are temporarily pro-
vided for at the university and in of
fees in the city.
The present necessity of bringing to-