Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1909-01-21
Immediate control of the State board o,
health.

immediate control of the State board Of
health.
Dairy and Food Commission.
The object of the dairy and food laws
and their enforcement is protection Of the
public health, and security to the consum-
ing public against fraud and deception in
the manufacture and sale of dairy and food
products Mere figures give but an imper
feet idea of the beneficial work of that de-
partment. That there has been effective
enforcement of these laws and great prog
resS made in driving adulterated and mis-
branded food products from the market Is
common knowledge.
Civil, Service.
The act of the LEGISLATURE of 1905 pro-
viding for the creation of a civil service
commission and for competitive examina-
tons as a test for certain positions in The
State service. was designed 10 supplant
what came to be known as the "spoilS sys
tenn in this country, under which appoint
ments of persons to public service were
made through influence. or as a reward
for party adherence
The report of the commission shows that
effective and eommendable work has been
done during ~the past two years, and that
generally the statute has met the approval
of the people of the State
Insurance Department..
The enactments of 1907 amending the
insurance laws of this State were designed
to reduce the cost of insurance to the pol
lev holders, and TO secure the solvency OF
insurance companies. The purpose for
which these statutes were enacted met at
the time. with my unqualified approval,
and nothing has since transpired which
changes my opinion of their practical value
to insurance interests.
Complaint is made that the present law
taxing fire insurance companies results in
imposing upon our domestic companies I'M
due burdens by the operation OF retaliat0-y
laws of other States. The law now imposes
a tax of per centum upon the gross pre-
miums received in the State deducting
amounts paid licensed companies for rein
surance. return premiums, and actual losses
less reinsurance losses. No other State col
lects its taxes upon this basis. As con-
sequence under the retaliatory laws OF
other States, our companies are compelled
in many States having such laws, to pay
the largest amount of taxes which can be
computed the basis of either their laws
or our laws. A readjustment of the basis
of taxation to avoid this injustice to our
home companies can be made without loss
of revenue to the State. 1t is recommend
ed that such change be made at this ses-
sion.
Board of Arbitration.
This board was created for the purpose
of using its influence in the settlement CT
any controversy or difference, not the sub
iect of litga ton. between an employer and
his employees. While the board has no jul
dicial power and can have none conferred
upon it by law, yet it has succeeded in
doing effective work in settling by persua-
sive means, many Industrial disputes.
Bureau of Labor and Industrial
Statistics.
This department occupies an important
position in the economic organization of
the State. Its duties are to collate ard
publish statistical information relating to
the industrial classes and the material re-
sources of the State, examine into the re-
lations between capital and labor, as well
as TO conduct our free employment bureaus,
and supervise the inspection of factories,
The department maintains a high and en-
yiable standing throughout the country, and
its needs are well worthy of the careful
consideration of the Legislature. The en-
ployment offices, under its supervision,
found work for 33,72S persons during the
year 1901-S.
free employment bureau for strictly
farm help might proitably be provided to
operate under the jurisdiction of this de-
partment The men who apply for work
at the offices now established are not a
class who are ordinarily acceptable as farm
laborers, and there appears to be a great
demand in this State for such help.
Conclusion.
Gentlemen, permit me to impress upon
YOU the desirability of being conservative
in the expenditure of the money of the peo-
pJe. For some years the resources of the
State will be heavily taxed in building a
new capitol. and this fact should be consid-
cred in making all appropriations