The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1911-02-17

of Madison is friendly to the bills so
far as they relate to his department.
The passage of these bills spells
shorter ballot for the people and long
er responsibility for the governor.
Leaders in both parties believe that
the attorney general should be direct
ly responsible to the chief executive
of the state and that the governor
should be directly responsible to the
people for the actions of that public
official. The acts of the attorney gen.
eral in many instances are of partic-
ular Importance to the administration.
There will be opposition to this bill
and 1t will take a firm stand against
the measure on the ground that too
many appointments by the governor
tend to build a political machine. In
the case of the insurance commission
err. the argument is used that the Of
flee should be filled by an expert on in
surance and rot by some ambitious
politician.
Attorney General Levi H. Bancroft
occupies a position of special interest.
Recently he appeared before the Wis
ccnsin civil service commission with
the request that the position of first
assistant attorney general should be
placed in the exempt class for the fea-
son that under the law it is regarded
as a position of confidence He said
that If the commission failed to de-
clare the place exempt under the civil
service law he would take the case
to the supreme court. The commits.
sion decided against Mr.. Bancroft and
1t is likely that the latter will keep
his word about fighting it out in the
courts. 1t is the popular impression
that commissions are careful not to
get into court because their jurisdic-
ton may be declared unconstitutional
and such ruling might ultimately
mean that several good jobs and the
commission itself might go glimmer-
ing. In Wisconsin, however, it is diff
ferent. The commissions consider
matters with great care and then de-
eide them upon their merits. Promf-
nent lawyers believe that Mr.. Ban
croft's petition in this matter will be
sustained: if it is, it will be regard
ed as a blow to the civil service COM
mission.
Assemblyman Gettle of Rock coun-
ty introduced bill which will not
make much of hit in Milwaukee. 1t
makes it misdemeanor to sell beer
or any other intoxicant to women in a
saloon, restaurant or any other place
makes it a misdemeanor to permit
women to loiter in these places. AS
the bill is drawn it applies to women
with escorts as we'll as when alone.
If passed it will take decided crimp
in the many palm gardens and fashion
kee as we'll as in other cities of the
state.
Congressman Victor Berger was in
Madison to confer with his people re-
garding a large grist of special NUM-
cipal and county Milwaukee bills The
Milwaukee administration, the crea-
ture of Mr.. Berger, has been roundly
criticised because of it's plan to es-
tablish 500 acre park, at great cost,
in the central portion of Milwaukee.
Alderman Berger has scheme, how
ever, whereby this park will not cost
Milwaukee one cent. He has a bill
giving Milwaukee the power to secure
property adjoining the proposed park
site. He would plat this property in
to lots and sell the lots at a good
market price. He estimates that he
can raise more than $1,OoO,OO0 in is
way. Mr.. Berger urged the socialists
to get early action on this measure so
that his park scheme will be not be
delayed.
Two new points stand out conspic-
uously in the arguments made against
the bill providing for workmens COM
pensation. One is provision that
the employer shall not be held liable
in cases where the employee fails to
report an injury, and neglects it. After
the injury develops serious symptoms
the case may be reported, but in some
instances that is too late. The other
point is that the common law defenses
should remain for the employer in
cases where the employer fails to come
under the act.
J. \ i
The proposed segregation of saving
deposits brought protest from the
bankers who came here to discuss
proposed laws relating to banking
In cases of failure it was pointed out
by Senator Owen of Maiden Rock that
the commercial deposition, or the man
having checking account, is in po-
sition to draw out his money upon i'm
mediate notice, while the saving de-
posits, representing the savings OF
people of small means, can not be
drawn out except upon a sixty day
notice. 1t was Senator Owens theory
that this placed loss upon the little
fellow. To this the bankers said that