Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1907-01-22

thrift on the part or all people by pros
tecting savings banks. Bank failures de-
moralize the habit Of saving and to no PEG.
Die are failures so disastrous as to those
whose rawlings were the results Of hard la
Dor and strict economy. This Is recognized
in the banking law which has carefully linn
tied the field for investment OF savings
funds by mutual savings banks. But there
are in this State Iarge number OF COM
mercial banks which conduct savings de-
partments In addition to their commercial
business or as their main business, and
they are authorized ia specific terms to re-
ceiye savings. To commercial banks much
wider field for investment is permitted, but
with the increased return on some Of those
investments there is also an Increased risk.
1t is unfair that the savings deposited in
commercial bank should not be guarded by
the same regulative statutes as apply to
savings when intrusted to q mutual savings
bank / recommend legislation to correct
this inconsistency.
During recent years Wisconsin has had
occasion to witness the establishment OF
many branch banks cannot but regard
this as tendency which may some day
develop disastrous consequences. Legisla-
ton is urgently recommended, either pre-
venting the establishment OF branch banks,
or requiring an Increase in capitalization
by the parent bank for each branch institu-
ton opened by it,
Co-EmpIoye Legislation.
will permit railway employees to recover
damages for injuries, if it is found that
their negligence was less than that of the
railroad or that of co-employe contribut.
ing to the injury, and that in all cases
there shall be submitted to the jury the
question of the existence of contributory
negligence and the comparison of the negli-
gence as between railroad and emplOye. Ii
seems no more than just that where the
negligence of the railroad contributed to the
injury the company should bear proper
tionate share of the loss.
Civil Service Con- miSsion.
This commission was treated, pursuant
to chapter 1853, laws of 1905, and consists
of three appointive members charged with
the administration of the civil service law.
The experience and investigation OF the
commission has conclusiyely demonstrated
that the working organization of the differ
ent State departments is not suited to pres
emit conditions. l recommend that re-
organization of the State service be made
to the end that duties be more specifically
defined, unimportant offices for which there
is not sufficient work be combined wherever
feasible, or abolished and their duties as
signed to other employees, and that salaries
be paid in proportion to the value OF the
service demanded. / am confident that SUCH
a. change would greatly increase the Elf
Cheney of the different departments and re-
suit in material saving TO the State.
Free Library Commission.
The educational work represented by the
activities of the Free Library Commission
has been carried to many heretofore un-
reached sections of the State during the
last biennial period. The travelling libraries
have been multiplied several fold and now
reach more than five hundred stations in all
sections of Wisconsin. The number of pub
lie libraries which have been established
with the aid of the commission, now reach
the gratifying total of ISL, representing a
than
Northwest, and in proportion to population
comparing favorably with any State in the
Union.
Geological Survey.
During 1905 and 1906 Geological and
Natural History Survey, in cooperation
with the U. S. Geological Survey carried
on an Investigation of the water powers,
and a full special report viii be presented
to the legislature. This important work
should be continued until the principal
rivers Of the State have been carefully sur
veyed.
State Board of Forestry.
The small beginning which the State
made in scientific forestry in 1903 has
grown until the forest reserve now COM
prises 254,072 acres, under the supervision
of the State Board of Forestry. No State
is more bountifully provided with great
rivers and lakes, and geological surveys
show that Wisconsin is tie greatest water
power State in the Union. When it is borne
in mind that the forests of the northern
part Of the State preserve the head waters
Of these great streams and prevent both
drought and floods, the necessity of wise
foresty policy is at once apparent The
financial returns in those States and coun-
tries which have practieed forestry often
show an annual income of from $3.50 to
$500 per acre.
Primary Election.
H. L.. l. y.
legislature Of 1903, and adopted by a vote
Of the people at the general election in
1904 was given its first trial in 1906.
While opportunity had been previously af-
forded to observe the operation of the law
in the nomination of municipal officers, it
remained for the general election of 1906
to subject this measure to the severe test
of statewide application. In general the
law has been success, and gives every in
dication of accomplishing the results prom
Used for it. In view of the fact that all
members Of the present legislature, with the
exception of senators elected two years ago,
were nominated under this law, the expe-
rience and opportunity for study this afford
ed should serve as valuable aid in deter
mining what amendatory legislation should
be enacted at this eession.
Commissioners of Fisheries.
The fisheries of Wisconsin are assets
which the State should carefully foster
The work which has been done by the COM
missioners of fisheries in the past in the
propagation of game and commercial fishes
Is commendable. Statistics tell US that
100000 was received by the fishermen of
the Great Lakes in Wisconsin during the
year 1905 and the inland fisheries of the
State are worth as much to our people.
Their value Is not alone in the product, but
is found also in the money spent within
our borders by summer tourists and fisher
men from without the State and the recrea-
ton afforded for our citizens
State Militia.
From personal observations at the annual
encampments Of the State guards, and from
an examination of the report of the Adju-
tant General, / am able to state that the
Wisconsin soldiery has been improved to a
standard of efficiency, unsurpassed, if equal
ed by the National Guard of any other
State This most satisfactory condition is
the result of the improved personnel in the
different branches of the service.
Land Titles.
Our present system of transferring land
titles has become exceedingly complex. In
every sale of land it is necessary to trace
the title through a long chain of transfers
back to the original patent. Mortgages,
liens, judgments. administrations. and other
legal proceedings all present obstacles neces-
stating careful examination before the land
can be safely transferred 1t is significant
that many leading American States have
adopted the "Torrens System as a simpli-
fication of title transfers, while such sys-
tenn has been in vogue in European coun-
tries for many years. Under the "Torrens
System the title to realty is registered as
distinct from the deed. The owner Of the
land applies to the register Of deeds for its
registration, and where the title is found
perfect it is registered and guaranteed
The official guaranty of title Is the dis
feature of this system The
Importance of land titles requires your most
careful investigation. and IL in your judg-
ment the present method of transfer is too
cumbersome. a safe but more economical
system should be adopted.
State Capitol.
The commission charged with the procure
ment of plans for new capitol under the
acts of the last Legislature, have. after
much care and consideration accepted the
design prepared by George Il. Post & Sons
architects Of New York City. The plans
eventually, as the legislature
shall direct. the construction OF an entire
building which it is believed you will find
promises to be highly satisfactory. and
which. il built of materials adapfed nrou-