The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1909-03-19

of Lacrosse, and Scion r. Perrin, OF
Superior, both railroad attorneys. Cor
don disposed of $1,000 and Perrin of
$4,000. Gordon could not remember
to whom he paid money, except about
$500 to Editor Gelatt Of the Lacrosse
Leader Press and Chronicle and
something under $500" to John Mnl
der. defeated candidate for the Repub-
lican nomination for the assembly
against John e. Mcconnell.
Perrin accounted for all but about
$500 of the money he received giving
a. detailed statement to the commit
tee. Unfortunately. however. this
statement contained many items OF
leash" which did not aid the commit
tee In finding out to whom they went.
And Mr. Perrin's memory did not help
matters any
Tax Committee Hearing.
An important hearing held last
week, the results of which are not
yet known. was that on the bill TO
amend the ad valorem law in such
manner as to permit the counties 10
get their share in cases where the
state gets about all the revenue &C.
rived from the railroads. The counties
most vitality affected are ManltoWoc
and Douglas, where there are great
railroad terminal properties Thus 81
per cent of the taxes of Superior are
on railroad terminals and all goes 10
the state, although the city has to
light and police these properties.
A large number of prominent attor-
neys and citizens of Superior appeared
before the joint committee on taxation
of the two houses and urged some
remedial course, and Judge Emil
Baensch came on like mission for
the city of Manitowoc. While no an
nouncement has been made as to the
recommendation of the committee. It
is understood that it will urge some
change at least from the present sys-
tenn.
Who Owns the Levees?
Assemblyman Hughes wants the
question settled as to who owns and
should take care of the levees of the
Wisconsin river at Portage, and is
pressing a resolution to have the mem
bers of congress of the state look into
the matter and settle the responsible
ity These levees were built princi-
pally by the government some years
ago and Columbia county also added
some Now these breakwaters are fall
ing into decay and the county has
been taxed SO heavily to sustain them
that it feels it can do little more
1t is said the government also dis
likes permitting the county touching
anything done by the federal power,
which creates an embarrassing situa-
ton. Mr.. Hughes says wisdom sug-
gests that some action be taken soon
by someone. as an unusual rise or
water in the river would mean the de-
struction of millions of property and
the probable loss of much live stock
and human life.
Will Consider Special Session. .-a
Early this week the assembly will
again consider the joint resolution for
a special session Of the legislature
next January to consider the PROPOSE
ClOn OL luCOD1S IdA, SOOO AOouo, WIZ n
ingmen's insurance and the guarantee
of bank deposits. This resolution,
which passed the assembly some time
ago, came up in the senate Friday last
and was materially amended by that
house before concurring in 1T. The
subject of good roads was taken out
of the resolution and that of water
ways substituted. While ordinarily
this would not make much difference,
there has come a change over the as
sembly as a result.
Many members think if the subject
of good roads is disposed of the others
included in the resolution also can be.
Mr. Ingram. who has presented the in
come tax bill, says plenty of data and
information has already been secured
on the subject to permit its safe con-
sideration and Mr.. Jones and Senator
Browne say the same relative to the
good roads proposition
Agreement Probable.
The various road bills are now be-
ing thrashed out before the commit
tee and satisfactory agreement would
seem within the bounds of possibility
In the light of these views by men
who have given these subjects partlc-
ular study strong sentiment is
springing up for the disposition OF
them at this session. even though 1t
does result in a somewhat long ses-
sion. and it is said that Governor Da-
wilson will probably urge the same
course
Should the assembly decide to
change its mind on the special SEES
sion proposition. as now seems likely,
it will mean that the committee Will
have to buckle down to renewed labor
in order that the business may not
drag out too long.
ti-Segreeation Bill
The Hambrecht bill forbidding any
step lool.ings toward segregation OF the
sexes at the university may possibly
bring on some surprises this week.
Largely as result Of a misunder-
q