Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1911-01-17

of the employer Even then his action
may be defeated by showing that he was
guilty of contrioutory negligence no mat
Ter IN how slight degree that the acci-
Gent was due TO the ordinary risks of the
employment which the law says he as
sumed when he went to work, or that it
was due to the fault of fellow servant
Tested by these rules probably in not
over fifteen per cent of these personal
injury cases does a valid right of action
exist.
The present system which bases the
r1ght or recovery in these cases upon
litigation should so far as possible be
abolished altogether ard a system of
just, promDt and certain compensation
or all wage-earners injured in the course
OF their employment should be substi-
tuted for it.
II seems to me that OF all plans thus
Tar put in operation, the German system
Is the best. 1t is compulsory and re-
quires no contribution from employees in
accident cases. So long as the constitu-
tons OF the state and nation remain as
they are, any system of workmens COM
pensation established here, unlike that of
Germany, cannot be compulsory, but must
be optional or elective. have faith that
even with this exception and in the face
OF constitutional difficulties, the ingenu-
a
for the enactment of a statute which
will do for US substantially what the
German law has accomplished
Conservation of Natural Resources.
Tho conservation of the natural re-
sources OF the state is a question Of vital
public interest. 1t is comparatively
new subject, having received but little
attention until few years ago. The
general movement in favor of conserva-
ton, nationwide and all-embracing as 1t
now is, has found expression in this state
In more sober and sensible attitude REL
alive to the preservation of the fertility
or the soil the care of our forests and
the utilization Of our water powers The
time has come. therefore, for the adop-
ton of a definite general policy in Wis
consin concerning there subjects to take
the place Of the special and sporadic leg
islation characteristic of the past
Income Tax.
Governor McGovern recommends that
the proposed sixteenth amendment to the
constitution of the United States, which
confers on congress the power to enact
an income tax law be approved. and also
that state law taxing incomes be en-
acted. The enactment of such a law
the governor says, will compel men of
great wealth who now in measure es-
cape performance OF their public obliga-
tons to contribute their just share to-
ward the support of the government. Con-
GLIDING this subject the executive says:
ITO what extent an income tax NAV
become a substitute for our present per-
sonal property tax, or any part Of IT,
probably time alone and experience In
the administration of such a law can
tell. Until we have had such experience.
1t may be well to proceed with caution
In the matter of the immediate abolition
or Reconsideration of the present personal
property tax"
The present method of taxing ca;o-
mobiles is. according to the governor, ut
terly inadequate. The present plan of
advalorem taxation IL not adapted to
them. Instead. there should Re provid-
ed a license fee based upon weight or
horsepower of these cars. and the rev.
enue should be applied to highway pur-
poses.
Minerals.
The taxation of minerals Is a subject
which should receive attention and the
laws relative thereto possible revision.
says the governor. The mineral wealth
OF the state under the present law prac-
ticaliy escapes all taxation. This situa-
ton may be met by taxing The lands as
we now do without regard to their min
latter an occupation or privilege tax
when they are mined, proportionate in
value to the amount of ore removed
Telephone Companies.
The state treasurer reports that under
the present method of taxing telephone
companies on their gross earnings, fifty
eight companies paid no tax whatever
last year, while forty-f1ve other com
panies paid less than one dollar each
The satisfactory results obtained by the
taxation Of railroads. street car and tele-
graph companies on an advalorem basis,
seem TO the governor to justify an ex-
tension of the advalorem system to all
telephone companies in the state In
this way these companies will be taxed
upon basis just and fair to all and
many thousands of dollars will be added
to the public revenues.
Initiative and Referendum.
The great task of the time is how to
make and keep the government really
of the people. The initia-
tive, the referendum and the recall have
been proposed as effective means for ac-
this result, SAYS the COVER
nor. They havs engaged the thoughtful
of the entire country and in
The recent campaign in this state receiv-
ID the endorsement of all political par
ties
Concluding an exhaustive discussion Of
these measures. the governor says:
These measures. intended as they are
10 bring the government closer to the
people and make 1t a more flexible in
in their hands for the promo
ion Of the public welfare, cannot be in
reduced in Wisconsin by mere lesisla-
i've enactment. Under the constitution
IF this state, all legislative power is
vested in the senate and assembly, and
any attempt to confer such power or any
part OF II. upon others, even upon the
people themselves. without an appro-
pirate amendment to the constitution
would be ineffectIal. Believing, as I do,
IN the wisdom and practicability of these
reforms I most earnestly urge the pas
sage of a Joint resolution by this legisla-
.ure for the submission TO the people of
m amendment to Section I, Article A. of
the constitution of this state. so drawn
as to permit the exercise nv the people
II the covers to which I have here re-
'erred."
The governor next takes up the subject
II home rule for cities. On this subj -ct
he says:
Every consideration Of good citiEan-
ship, efficient local administration end
wise public policy suggests a change In
This regard. and the enactment of legis-
atlOn which Will NNIlleT upon tilleS nun
powers OF local self-g government includ-
ing the right to adopt the initiative. ref
arerdum and recall"
Good Roads.
The governor urges the creation OF a
state highway commission to supervise
and assist counties and towns in the
work OF road building. He says:
THE state commission should have am
pie authority to protect the states in
terests. and should be provided with ade-
auate funds so that all work done with
state aid may be properly inspected be-
fore IL is finally accepted. The policy Of
state aid should be one Of real co-opera-
ton between the state and its subdivi-
sions not only in . financial way but also
In the matter OF supervision and orSani-
cation of forces in the actual construc-
ton of roads"
The value OF the legislative reference
department Of the Free Library commits
sion Is pointed out and more liberal fnan-
cial support is urged.
The governor urges the passage OF
law authorizing the publication Of the
aFf -