Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1907-01-10
FACED BY BIG ISSUES.
STATE LEGISLATURES ALL HAVE
LONG CALENDARS.
Railroad, Insurance, Primary EIec-
ton and Other ThinEs-Lov er
age and Pass Abuses Come Next.

4 mighty din from legislative FORCES
is about TO begin to echo throughout
the West as the general assemblies
convene and lawmakers take UP the
sledges to hammer out reform enact
ments. Few States are without live
issues of a varied and sweeping char
acter, and the year 1907 promises to
be prolific in new laws more or less
drastic.
Railroad reforms stand foremost
among the questions that confront the
legislators. The movement in favor Of
more rigid restriction is general in its
scope, and the anvils will ring with
the beating out of statutes that range
from anti-pass measures to acts estab-
fishing 2-cent fare, the latter forming
the chief issue in at least eight West
ern States.
Corporations in general are in for
treatment more or less severe, agita-
ton being on for new banking laws
that will protect depositors more ade-
quately, for new insurance laws that
will bring fire and life companies more
directly under the supervision of State
commissions, and for new taxing
schemes that will provide for greater
revenues from public utility concerns.
Changes in the Nolitical system also
are up for action in several common
wealths. four of which are pledged to
follow the lead of Illinois and WiscOn-
sin in the enactment of a law that will
give direct primaries and that will give
the electors a chance to scalp party
bosses and stife ring rule by taking
into their own hands the matter of
picking party candidates
The liquor traffic too, will be an i'm
pOrtant part of the years reforms. In
five States local option laws are to be
presented. Their fate is problematical,
but the fact that they will form part
of the legislative grist has led to a
lining up of the liquor elements and
the temperance forces in preparation
for fierce battles.
The question of taxation will be an
other bone of contention in at least
eight States, and measures arc being
prepared that provide for changes in
the revenue systems. In Illinois fight
will be made to make the railroads and
other public service corporations pay
all State taxes instead of imposing
them on holders of general property,
while in Wisconsin there will be an at
tempt to pass an act for a graduated
income tax.
The great live issue of general inter
| est throughout the general assemblies
of the West, however, is that dealing
with the railroad companies There are
| five phases to the question, the most
drastic and important relating to lower
| passenger fares. In eight States 2-cent
fares will be fought for. Accompany
| ing the reduction in fares is a general
| movement to abolish the pass system,
and seven States are preparing to toll
| the knell of the ANNALS with which
| the railroads have kept On the good
side of lawmakers and politicians. The
passing of the pass. it is expected, will
be attended by bitter contests.
The live issues which will engage
! the attention Of lawmakers of the Vs.
riOus States may be summarized as
| follows:
Car Shortage-North Dakota. Colo
RADIO, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, Ore
gon, Nebraska, Washington. Idaho. Wy
oming Minnesota. Reciprocal demur-
rage the main hope.
Railroad Regulation Dakota,
| Colorado, Texas, Michigan. Missouri,
| Nevada, Indiana, South Dakota, Oregon.
| Nebraska, Idaho, Kansas, Washington,
| Utah, Minnesota. Illinois. Create new
railroad commissions or strengthen exist
| ing ones.
Two-Cent Fares-North Dakota, Tex
as, Missouri, Michigan, Indiana. South
Dakota, Nebraska, Minnesota. Fights
will be bitter.
Anti-Pass Measures-North Dakota,
Missouri Illinois, South Dakota, Nebras-
ka, Kansas, Minnesota. Several assem-
bles virtually pledged.
Direct Primary Elections-North Da-
kota. Colorado. South Dakota. Nebraska,
| Washington, Kansas Four States pledg-
ed Governors in others favor. Rosse
will oppose strongly.
Liquor Traffic-Colorado. Missouri. In
diana, Washington, Illinois. Local OPP
ton or more drastic State regulation.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES Texas, Nebraska,
Oregon, Washington. Minnesota, Kansas,
Illinois. Aimed chiefly against public
service corporations. Entire revision of
several codes.
Income Tax-Wisconsin to consider bill
for graduated tax. Other States expected
to have hot fights.
State and Private Banks-Illinois and
Kansas particularly propose drastic new
laws to protect depositors. Other States
to fall in line.
Miscellaneous-Cal California and Nevada
to entertain bills against prize fights;
| Wisconsin to sterilize Predetermined and
insane and establish pension system for
the aged; Texas to wipe out cotton buck
et-shops Illinois to rehabilitate charita-
BILE institutions and to pass new charter
for Chicago.
Insurance-North Dakota. Texas. In
diana. Nebraska, Kansas. Missouri. Cali
fornia Minnesota, Illinois, Wisconsin.
Avalanche of bills expected, some radical
and sweeping.