Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1907-05-29
BIC GATHERING
At THE CAPITAL
Joint Committee Gives Hear
ings on Public Utili-
ties Bill.
OBJECTIONS ARE UNAVAILING
Passage of the Measure in It's
Present Form Practical
ly Assured.
New Capitol Bill Favorably Reported
June 15 Favorite Date for
Final Adjournment-Pri-
mary Election.
OBJECTIONS ARE UNAVAILING

utilities bill. TO place all electric, gas,
water power and telephone companies
under the regulation of the railroad
rate commission has occupied the cen
ter of the legislative stage this week.
The various interests affected have
been given public hearings IN the sen
ate chamber, before the joint commit
tee on transp and the discus
sions have attracted great gathering
of capitalists, attorneys, experts and
other interested citizens.
Representative of the various utili-
ties have inveighed strongly against
various features of the measure and
1t is possible that in the light thus
given, the committee may find it ad'
visable to amend the bill in some
particulars, but most of them had
heard the same objections before and
are Of opinion that the notifications
will not effect the bill in any essential
respect.
Objections UnavaiIing.
The point of unconstitutionality is
made against that provision OF the
measure which requires that utilities
must bear the expense Of appraisal by
the csnmission. 1t was urged too
that good margin of profit should be
allowed instead of simply reasonable
rate in order that companies might
create a fund for extensions of serv,
fee.
Representatives of the companies
contend that the bill in its present
drastic form would have tendency
TO keep capital out OF the state; retard
the growth OF public service aud there
by the growth Of cities and the state,
The bill has been so carefully drawn
In committee, however that it is prob
able most of the objections will be un,
avalling and the passage of the bill in
practically its present form is as
sured.
New Capitol Bill Reported.
The way for the building Of the new
capitol seems to be clearing at last
A bill has been favorably reported in
the senate providing for an appropria-
ton of $500, 600 year for nine years,
making the total cost of the new struc-
ture between $5,000,000 and $62000,000
Built of beautiful Vermont granite it
should present an imposing appear
anee, when finally completed, and be
an object of pride to the state.
BY the terms of the bill, the capitol
commission is empowered to dispose
of the old capitol by sections as the
work on the new building progresses.
The new structure will stand on the
site of the present state house, not
withstanding the fact that the big
scheme for the extension of the capitol
park Is stlll under way, which scheme,
by the way, will confront the legsla.
tive mind in a very few days now.
Final Adjournment.
June II continues to be the favOrite
date for final adjournment. While
the houses have not acted Jointly on
the question there seems to be gen
eral understanding that business shah
be wound up by that time. Many of
the farmers are already chatting at the
iohS uGIdS anu IL Is SAFE 10 Say lIidl
from now on few of the grangers of
the two houses will be on hand. When
nature calls they are easily weaned
from the drudgery of law making,
even from the destinations of politics
This was shown in the case of Sen
ator Wolff, who went home during the
closing hours Of the senatorial agony.
The Hatten men We're in dire straits,
his vote was badly needed if it could
be lad and message upon message
was sent him, but this impeturbabe
Cincinnatus simply replied: Il am
planting onions and can't come" But
then W0lh held aloof from the caucus
anyway, and took little interest In the
great game.
Hundred Day Session.
Mr.. Roethe ofGrant county is among
those who believes too much time is
spent In making laws and last week
/ introduced a joint resolution to amend
the constitution so as to limit the
| length of the session to one hundred
days While 1t is entirely unlikely
that the resolution viii go through.
/ yet II was received without opposi-
/ tion and all admitted the desirabiity
I of shortening mn tho sessions