Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1906-1908, 1907-05-24
WORK OF ASSEMBLY
SEVERAL IMPORTANT BILLS ARE
PASSED AT MADISON.
STERILIZATION MEASURE
Provides for Epieptic and Feeble
Minded of State and County
Asylums Wisconsin
River Power.

Madison, May 2S.-The assembly
has passed the Elver sterilization bill,
the Estabrook Milwaukee county park
commission bill, and the Froemming
mental anguish bill. The first provides
for the sterilization of the idiotic,
feeble-minded and epileptic inmates
of state and county asyluus, and has
created as much discussion as any bill
during the present session. Opponents
OF the measure have put up a strong
fight against it since it was introduced
early in the session, and having failed
in the lower house, will now try to
have the bill killed in the senate. The
opposition to the bill Is based largely
on religious grounds, one Of the argu-
ments used being that sterilization is
contrary to divine law.
The so-called mental anguish bill has
been strongly opposed by the tele-
graph companies. but 1t went through
the assembly without dissenting
vote. 1t makes telegraph companies
liable for damages to the amount of
$500 for the failure or negligence of IT'S
employees in receiving. copying, trans
mitting or delivering messages"
Wisconsin River Power.
A number of representatives of the
industrial interests along the Wiscon-
sin river are endeavoring to interest
the members Of the assembly in the
development of Wisconsin river power.
In the argument presented before the
legislature, the representatives of the
development company seem unable to
convince the members who object to
the bill as it now stands that no rights
of the state or of individuals are in
vaded and that the project contem-
plated meets with the approval of
practically every user of water power
along the Wisconsin river. Under the
bill no charge of toll Is made to any
concern unless by reason of the i'm
provements a greater amount of power
is used. The development company
consists Of all the mill and factory
men along the river, who are unani-
mously asking for the passage of the
bill. Considerable work In the way of
building dams and creating storage
res.fgC."s has already been DONE the
company having secured the flowage
rights.
AS it affects the Wisconsin river
valley section and it's future industrial
life, it is considered one of the most
important measures before the legis-
lature and the men interested from
the various towns and cities are seek
ing to meet every objection that can
be raised in fairness to the bill
Telephone Interests.
The representatives of the inde-
pendent telephone companies have
had a hearing before the joint meet
ing Of the transportation committees
of both houses, arguments being made
generally and specially against the in
clusion of telephone companies from
The principal argument was made by
w. D. Critchfield of the Milwaukee In
dependent company, who advanced
reasons against the exercise Of 80
wide control on the part Of the state
as was given under the bill.
George P. Miller, Of the Wisconsin
Telephone company, said: "Tf you
want to serve the public with low
rates, then you must provide that
there shall not be more utilities in the
field than are necessary to furnish
adequate and sufficient service Of
particular kind. If there Is one plant
in the field, 1t is entitled to earn
fair return upon the investment II
there are plants of the same value,
dividing the business, each is still en-
titled to earn a fair return upon it's
valuation. If one plant is equal to the
task of performing the service the sec
ond Is an unnecessary burden upon
the public. With proper regulation
there is no necessity for competition"
Upon the request of Senator White
head the resolution calling for a con-
stitutional amendment to provide for
d consolidation of all courts In a coun-
ty has been withdrawn from the cal
endar, owing to the fact that the time
to consider a proposition so important
as this is too limited.
The bill permitting the capitol com
mission to acquire additional property
for the state capitol park Is being
carefully considered by members of
the legislature. Generally speaking,
the project is favored by many of the
members who believe that the present
ground space is entirely inadequate for
the new building now planned and to
be erected