Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1907-02-06

but reserves the climax for the last
moment. Ii can be safe to say that
the last day will see probably more
bills than any other. However, to keep
up the figure, the dramatic consistency
may be preserved and the time be
extended for tapering off of the habit
of presenting bills. OF course com
mittees can present measures after
that date. but they must be in the
form of substitutes for other bills that
may have been found unsat sfactory.
Big Things Come Last
While many bills OF large import
have already made their appearance,
the great mass of measures so far in.
trodnced have been of minor or local
character. The real big things have
been reserved for the last. Because
of their important character their spon-
sors are giving them the deepest study
to make them effective and satisfac-
tory. and all this requires time Mr..
LeRoy's big IN for the regulation of
all public service corporations, which
has been reserved for the closing days.
rs an illustration In point 1t il one of
the most sweeping and comprehensive
measures to come into the legislature,
yet is regarded as quite fair, and the
opinion Is that it will be passed with
out any very great changes.
Stronger Than the Present Law.
This measure aims for the regula-
ton of every sort Of public service Gtil-
ity in the state, including railroad com
panies, telegraph, sleeping car. express
corporations and gas companies. All
are put under the jurisdiction Of the
present railroad rate commission,
whose scope c, operations is greatly
Increased. The first part of the bill Is
practically copy of the law creating
the present rate commission. The bill
Is much stronger in many respects re-
latlng 10 railroads than the present
law and gives the commission power
to regulate passenger fares, right
which has been disputed under the
law AS IL now stands. BY public serv-
ice corporations is meant all gas, cleo
trio light, heat and power companies,
and telephone concerns, express com
panies. etc. and all persons author
lied to exercise the right of eminent
domain or to use or occupy highways
in manner not permitted TO the gem
eral public. Logging and other pri-
vate railroads not doing business as
common carriers are exempt
Powers of the Commission.
Large authority Is given the com.
mission. { Is empowered to ascer-
tain as early as possible the amount
of money invested in the construction
and equipment of every transmission
company and the amount of money It
would require to reconstruct all lines,
plants or buildings Of public service
corporations The outstanding bonds or
Indebtedness as well as the floating
Indebtedness shall be ascegtainel also.
BY this process II Is hoped 10 arrive at
"a true valuation that the water may
be squeezed out OF stock and the dues-
tlon of a fair profit determined.
The bill provides that each company
shall file with the comm sSiOn ii list
of It's officers and their salaries. tn
wages paid TO employees aud the maxi.
mum hours OF continued service re.
Quircd in each class. Strict penalties
are provided for Determinations and
procedure for complaint TO the com,
mission Is outlined Ii reduction In
rates Is ordered the defendant com
=; ny has sixty days in which to APP
ltd fiOm the ruling
Enthusiastic Over Measure.
Ia discussing the measure Mr., Le-
l. y said: II have considered the pro-
Ni.ici,S of the lii with many senator
and aSsemblymen and have not seen
o." who has not been enthusiastic
over Il. There is no necessity Of re-
athg another commission TO regulate
sa- as some would have II. Let us
hat" all Of these public utilities regu-
lattl NY tile same commission, 10y in
creasing the powers OF the railroad