Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1905-12-11


stations designated by the commits
sion. The governor urges that the
law should be SO amended as to at
thU4ize 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
company's road or it's service, or to
add few thousand more per annum
to official salaries, or to conduct
campaign against the public interest,
Or to bride a 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 impudent
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
public service corporation can have
no secrets Their business is public
business. Every dollar OF expenditure
concern. The people have right
is 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
SIGN after session large and expensive
lobbies 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
people, have all for years been mat
tiers of general report and belief
The people CT 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 a trust relation for the presi-
dent of a life insurance company to
pay himself a salary amounting to
plundering of policy holders than for
railroad president to pay himself
a 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 a 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
methods of public service
corporations.
After suggesting a transfer of GER
tain funds to tide over the university
the governor closes by
hoping that the legislature will con-
clude the business Of this session as
promptly as it may safely be dis
patched, with due regard to its great
The last legislature enacted law
a grain and warehouse com
mission, and providing for licensing
and regulating warehouses and eleva
tors, and for the storage, weighing and
of grain in Superior, and
conditionally at other points The
railroads and the elevators combined
to defeat the operation Of these laws,
and, it is claimed by the grain and
commission are openly de
flying them. In 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 $5,825; it's ex-
penditures 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-
mends that the act be carefully con-
sidered, and sach 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 we'll as dams to be equipped
with a special kind of t1shway. There
does not seem to be any reason Tor re-
curing fishways to be placed in
booms and piers, declares the COVER
nor
County Aid in Building Bridges.