Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1905-12-07

| stations designated by the commits
sion. The governor urges that the
! law should be SO amended as to au-
thorize the commission to prescribe
reasonable regulations in reference to
dangerous grade crossings.
Going to another phase the COVER
nor says: Every dollar expended
| by railroad companies must be paid
| for by the people, the poor as well as
the rich. These corporations compel
the public to pay for every expendi-
| ture made. If it be to improve the
cumpany's road, or its service, or to
, add few thousand more per annum
to official salaries, or to conduct a
campaign against the public interest,
or to bride common council or buy
the passage or defeat of legislation,
the public is required to foot the bill.
From time to time these public serv-
ice corporations set up the claim that
their business was private business;
that any inquiry upon the part of any
one on the outside was an tmpudent
and meddlesome intrusion. They can
no longer maintain this fallacy. From
the very purpose of their organiza-
ton nothing of private nature per
tanning to them can be permitted. A
public service corporation can have
no secrets. Their business is public
business Every dollar OF expenditure
concern. The people have a right
is a matter of general interest and
to know"
Then adds the governor: That the
railroads have supplied campaign
funds abundantly to those who have
represented their interests In the
state; that they have employed SEES
sion after session large and expensive
Hobbies at the state capital; that they
have offered free transportation to
members of the legislature, in viola
ton of law and at the expense of the
ters of general report and belief.
The people Of Wisconsin have az
least as good a right to know just
what money has been expended by
the railroads and other public service
corporations in salaries, in lobbying,
in political campaigns and in legisla.
tive entertainment as the people of
New York have to know the same
facts with respect to the life insur.
ance companies 1t is no more be
trayal of trust relation for the presi-
dent of life insurance company to
pay himself salary amounting to a
plundering Of policy holders than for
railroad president to pay himself
salary in excess of the value or the
services which he renders to the rail
road company"
The governor wants a legislative
investigation to uncover all facts with
relation to this subject and he recon-
mends the appointment of legisla.
tive committee with powers to sum.
mon Witnesses, require the produc
ton Of papers and books and full
authority to investigate expenditures
and all matters pertaining to the
business methods of public service
corporations.
After suggesting a transfer Of GER
tain funds to tide over the university
temporarily, the governor closes by
Fc,in" that tho legislature will con
clude the business Of this session as
promptly as il may safely be dis
patched, with due regard to its great
Importance"
The last legislature enacted a law
creating a grain and warehouse con-
mission. and providing for licensing
and regulating warehouses ana clova !
tors, and for the storage, weighing and
inspection Of grain in Superior and
c0ndilionally at other points. The
railroads and the elevators combined
tc defeat ire orera,ion OF these laws
and, it is claimed by tao grain and
warehouse commission are openly de, .
flying them. In a communication to
the executive, the grain and ware
house commission states: In attempt
ing to enforce this law, we have met
with the stubborn opposition of not
only the railroads, elevators, and mills
in the city of Superior, but also the
Duluth board of trade The commits
sion has earned, during a period OF
fifty days the sum Of $5,S25; its eN-
pendiures for the same period have
been $4,000 None of the fees, how
ever, has been paid, the expenses of
the commission having been raised by
public subscription among the citizens
of Superior, The governor recon- I
mends that the act be carefully cen
sdered, and such amendments enacted
as will make the legislative intent .
clear, and afford a remedy for the +
evils complained of.
A new law requires booms and
piers as well as dams to be equipped .
with a special kind Of nshway. There .
does not seem to be any reason for re- E
curing fishways to be placed in .
hooms and piers, declares the COVER
nor.
County Aid in Building Bridges.
The governor recommends that the