The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1905-06-09
Commission May Build One or
Two Wings with the $780,"
900 at Their Command.
Mortgage Taxation at Mercy of Sem
ate - Water Power Topic of
Growing Interest-Attacks
on Corporations.

barring three days in which hand
full of the members sit around await
ing action on bills by the governor,
with an opportunity to pass them over
his veto. etc. They must, too, con-
firm his appointment Of railroad COM
missioners. Never before has the Wis
consin legislature been in session on
June LIST. 1t seems a long time since
crowds packed the PARK hotel wonder
ing if Senator Quarles had any chance
Of returning to the senate. or whether
Mr.. Esch or Judge Webb would be the
choice.
The senate calendar the other day
carried 40 bills. That body KILLED"
thirty-seven in one bunch. The as
sembly is having hard work to keep
it's members here, although the SEN
ate is practically complete in its ranks.
Each day sees important matters
threshed out and settled; proposals to
lay bills over are not popular. 1t is
time when those disposed to do sharp
work in the handling of bills have an
opportunity to do SO.
Two Capitol Questions Settled.
The long and merry unrest. for
which Senator Stevens, Of Oshkosh,
was chiefly responsible, in loyalty to
his home town. looking to moving the
state house. came to and end when the
senate, after having twice passed the
referendum bill, killed it.
Not less important to Madison, and
indeed to the whole state, is the
adopted policy of proceeding with
new capitol building. The bill as it
passed the senate provides for the
present construction of one or two
wings as the commission sees fit; but
beyond this the commission may, and
no doubt, will plan for an entirely
new building. There will be a fresh
call for plans and selection will be
made. With this accepted plan before
them successive legislatures will APP
propriate for the building by parts as
they may choose. This scheme is
practically by general consent Of all
the members and the bitterness has
melted away. 1t was a great relief
the rules were suspended and the mat
ter pushed to passage. Senator Burns
conducted the financial end of the pre-
sentation with much ability.
Money for the University.
The state universities claims were
also nicely carried, having the hearty
support Of the administrat ton. 1t is
to have 100000 every two years for
building purposes in addition to its
regular increasing income from the
two-sevenths of mill tax as the as
sessed valuation of all property in
creases.
Mortgage Taxation.
The senate has yet to pass on the
mortgage taxation bill as passed in the
assembly. but it's action ON similar
measure betokens that the bill may
fail. 1t got through the assembly by
a vote of A to 36. The governor years
ago promised that he would catch the
man whose money is in mortgages if
he had to chase him around the world,
and, although the state tax commits
sion have opposed the plan. the present
plan is vigorously urged. The assem-
bly, bill forbids agreement between the
man who loans the money and the Dor
rover, with the idea of preventing the
lender from including the tax in the
loan. But nothing cam prevent the
rate of interest from going up from
per cent where now money is easy,
and it is freely predicted that this will
follow as we'll as the concealment Of
transactions of this sort, and the re-
moval of business to other states.
However, it is unnecessary to worry,
as the senate will probably stop the
measure.
Monopoly and Development.
There has been some informal talk
as to the place of water powers in de-
veloping the state. The fear of mon
opoly is abroad in the land, and when
a big project came before the legisla-
ture looking toward controlling the
hugh powers of the Wisconsin river. a
cry was raised that capital was trying
TO encroach upon the rights of the peo-
pie. Originally a Wisconsin dam had
reference to logging operations, but
| now that logs are disappearing. a river
dam suggests water powers, electric
light plants. and other sources OF
| revenue.
The sentiment in the valley itself
| seems to be towards a liberal policy in
| the granting of these rights to build
| and maintain dams. while the econ
omists away from the scene look for
ward fifty years and see how valuable
| these powers will become. Wisconsin
J valley wants factories and the like,