Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1905-01-16


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However great the technical and ex-
pert knowledge of the traffic depart
ment of the railway company, II does
not require a very extended inyestlga~
ton of the question to convince one
that rate-making is often managed,
and always controlled by those having
a greater familiarity with stock
markets, than with the economics OF
proportional rates, terminal tariffs
and the whole range of classlflcat1ons
and schedules.
There is another phase OF this
branch OF the subject which is worth
vour careful consideration. The
thought must ever be kept in mind,
IN a law creating railroad COM
mission with power to regulate serV>
ices and rates, the most important
nroblem to be dealt with is the chaf-
acter and ability of the men VINO VIII
no entrusted with this great re-
enonsibilitv. The work OF the COM
mission in fixing rates will stand or
fall as it meets the severe tests ap-
n1ied in a review of it's proceedings py
the courts.
Rates established, either upon the
initiative of the commission or upon
complaints filed with it, cannot De sus-
tanned by the courts except such rates
arc fair not only to the public, but
inst and reasonable to the railroads as
well. To determine this latter quesN
ton REQUIRES a technical and expert
knowledge of taf1ic conditions, and OF
the cost of railway CONSTRUCTION
maintenance and transportation, IN
detail. In order that any rate es.
tablished may be sustained, the coln-
mission must be able to meet ana an
swer the ablest traffic experts IN the
employ of the great railway COM
NAMES. They should be able to meet
them in so far as possible, upon equal
terms. Railway traffic managers are,
because of their ability and illness,
among the highest paid of all the rail-
way company officials. A contest pc
tween political parties where partisan
feeling run high and personal frlend-
ships and popular elements IN cnar-
acter count in the determination OF
the result. do not afford the best con-
ditions for judging of those purely
technical qualifications, and OF that
mental endowment and experience
which specially fits for work OF the
character required of such commlS-
sion. On the other hand, if the Office
is made appointive, there will be
every opportunity for the appointing
power to make selection from the
widest possible field, having ample
time for investigation of the candidate
with respect to his antecedents, to the
elements in his character, and to his
ability, experience, and expert knows
edge. The selection would be made
full in the eye of the public, the APP
pointing power having responsibility
for his acts, and knowing with Ger
tainty that such appointment would
not be confirmed unless it met the ap-
proving judgment of the legislature.
Nominations by Direct Vote.
| congratulate you, and through you,
the people of Wisconsin upon the adop-
ton of a law for the nomination OF all
candidates for office by direct vote.
The demand of the voters Of this state
for such a law had been made many
times in clear and explicit manner.
Its defeat. against the will of the
majority, was the c1earest impeac1-
ment of the caucus and convention sys-
tenn which made it possible for a ma
jority to control. When after years
of delay the people of Wisconsin
were granted the opportunity finally
to determine the question, they
wrought the law uopn the statutes OF
Wisconsin by more than $4,000 ma
jority.
Transfer of Land Titles.
A simplifcation of our system OF
transferring land titles would seem to
be very desirable. At present the cost
of abstracts of title, the delay in COM
pIeting sales after being negotiated,
t1e possible defects in titles not ap-
pearing of record, the accumulation of
books and indexes in the registers Of
fee, all operate as a constant burden
to owners of real estate, and reduce
it's ease of sale and exchange. The
states Of Illinois, Massachusetts, Cal
ifornia, Minnesota, Washington, and
Colorado and many European countries
have adopted the Torrens system OF
lands registration, which seems to al
ford simple, speedy and safe
method of transfers. The essential
feature Of this system is an official
oI1arantv of title Tt is the rogiStra-
ton of the title as distinct from the
registration of deeds, The owner OF
real estate may apply to the register
of deeds for its registration, and if his
title is found perfect, upon the pay
ment of fee, it is registered and
guaranteed. Thereafter it's transfer
is made solely upon the title so regis
tered thus obviating all Of the delays
and complications which attend our