Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1907-01-17

ton living up TO their contracts should
have their franchises revoked at any
particular time. An important sug-
gestion is that a new commission be
created to regulate gas rates. The
idea Is to have a body like that OF
Massa chusetts, which would ascertain
the valuation Of gas properties ana
then after figuring a fair profit regu-
late the rate accordingly. The first
plan to make the state pay all the sal
aries of such commission will be
abandoned and part payment will be
effected by charging fee for exami-
nation. This was done because of the
opposition Of rural members, who hold
that since they get no benefits from
such commission they should not be
made to bear any Of the burden of
maintaining it. 1t is understood the
Democrats will oppose such measure
ara will favor having the tax commits
sion ascertain the value of gas prop
critics, which it Is now doing.
Two-Ccnt Fare Rumor.
r1mor which has all the appear
nncc of a sub rosa announcement from
high authority is going the rounds to
the effect that the long desired two
cent passenger fare on railroads is
soon to be reality. Two-cent fare
bills have popped up at every session
for many years only to be uncere-
moniously knocked on the head. Two
years ago, however, the much buff
fcted child had waXed so strong that
1t was thought advisable TO treat it
with more respect. For n time it
looked rs if the measure might pass,
but the railroads won temporary vic
tory by having the business left to the
newly created rate commission. In
the meantime the rate commission and
tax commission have made exhaustive
investigation of the valuation and
earnings Of the roads and is under
stood to be prepared to act Railroad
Thomas some time be-
fore retiring also recommended that
a tWo-cent fare be imposed on all
roads earning $500 mile per annum.
1t Is understood that the rate commits
sion is prepared to put such an order
into effect, but is willing to let the
legislature have the credit II it de-
sires it and II is probable that be-
fore any action is taken there will be
a thorough going over Of the ground
by the commission and the railroad
OF the two houses, so that
whatever acton is taken shall be as
MS possible from the legal
point Of view.
Not Mentioned in Message.
The fact that Governor Davidson's
had no mention of the two
cent proposition has led to some
criticism of the document but II Is
the governor knew of the |
action Of the commission
and was willing to give that body a
free hand. The impression seems to
prevail that the time is ripe for this
change and that there will be less OPP
position than usual to the measure this |
winter The first twO.cent bill to |
by Asscmblyman Turner, of Portage |
and provides for such rate on |
roads earning $1,000 mile 1t is like
ly that other bills will also come In
md that out of them some composite |
will be created and recon-
mended by the committee.
Takes IA Step Backward.
II seems trille paradoXical that |
In state which has taken such ad- |
vanced ground for the publication of |
politics as has Wisconsin there should |
be disposition on the part of con,
siderable portion of the legislature to
take backward step. Yet 50 must |
the measure be regarded which was |
by Senator Sanborn pro-
viding for taking all legislative en- |
ployes from under the jurisdiction of |
the state civil service commission. 1t |
appears that the legislature built more |
wisely than il knew two years ago |
when II passed the civil service law
Mt least so the friends of civil serv-
Ice reform would Say--as II does not |
seem TO have been the intent to put |
these positions out of reach of the |
members VINO nave lOOllu lntln so con- |
venient for the payment of political
debts or the giving of nice berth to |
of their families or CIDER |
relatives. The attorney general mas |
ruled, however, that these places must |
be assigned on the basis of merit alone
and the commission is going ahead on
that assumption and giving eXamina,
tons to all Corners,
viii Have Hard Shedding.
That Senator Snnboru, who has |
been so conspicuous fighter for re,
form In past sessions, should be will |
ing to father such a measure caused
some comment and that the session
should start in with n measure-lt |
was the first introduced in either |
house--was pointed out as unfortun-
ate but It was important that the
point should he settled ut once that
organization might be effected. How
ever, indications are that the measure
will have hard shedding and It's pas.
coz n thn ,y ax,,nlg,,,.l,.