The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1913-06-20


silence and perI2;s this interest to
take such an active part in the de-
feat of legislation. The forces led
by Senator Skogmo and Senator
Bosshard, however, were compelled
to bow TO the opposition, and a bill
favorable to the brewery interests
was advanced on the calendar.
Signals from Lobbyist.
The charge has since developed
that during the debate one member
of the senate received signals from a
brewery lobbyist who occupied seat
in the gallery. These signals, it is
said, were to aid the senator in his
course OF action on the floor. 1t is
now the plan to broaden the law re-
lating to the activity of lobbyists so
that in the future they may be bar
red from the legislative galleries
session. When the present wave of
Indignation subsidies, however, this
idea may be dropped, as many feel
that it would be an extreme step to
take.
The last notable fight on a saloon
few days, as the Teasdale bill to d.
vorce the brewery from the saloon is
still to be disposed of. Tile vote on
this measure will show the brewers
lining up their full strength as the
measure is considered a dangerous
che 1f
If it became law the brewers would
not be permitted to own buildings
and rent them for use as saloons 1t
would entirely eliminate the brewery
from the retail business, and would
make the saloonkeeper independent
Commissioner Ekern's Views.
Insurance Commissioner Ekern in
a recent speech before the senate COM
mittee on education and public well
fare told why he believes it is better
for the people of the state to have
the commissioner of insurance APP
pointive instead of election.
''You can't talk politics and sound
insurance at the same time," he said.
To return to the elective system,
Mr.. Ekern said would be to throw
the commissioner back in politics. Be
cause of conditions bearing upon the
political situation, the fact that the
Office was elective might cause the
commissioner to be less vigorous as
the head of the insurance depart
ment To make the Office appointive
%a1z ~ 0T
commissioner free rein in building up
a great insurance department. Mr..
Ekern did not believe that conditions
in the state had changed. He felt
that the same arguments which
caused the legislature two years ago
to make the office appointive by the
governor still held good.
He said that the rule that governs
the appointment of railroad commits
sioners, tax commissioners and mem
bers of the industrial commission ap
plies in the case of the insurance COM
missioner. He said that Wisconsin
has many laws of much merit touch
ing upon the question of insurance.
With these laws as foundation he
predicted that if the commissioner is
permitted to devote his full time to
his department that Wisconsin will
make great strides along insurance.
The Hanson bill was favorabIy report
ed in the senate and Immediately
killed.
During the debate before the COM
mittee the commissioner was called
upon to explain what he considers
the difference between insurance com
| missioner and United States senator
ship. He said a United States SEN
ator as a legislative officer represent
ed the views of the people and form
ulating public policy and should be
elective. Because the commissioner
is an administrative officer and mere
ly carries out public policy as laid
down by legislative BODIES, he believes
the office should remain appointive.
Louis r. Meyers Appointment.
The little political row launched
when the senate refused to confirm
the reappointment of Louis F. Mayer
of Milwaukee as state oil inspector
promises to blow over. Action on
Mr.. Meyers appointment was delayed
because Senator Bosshard said that
the charge was being made that the
oil inspector was indulging in too
much politics, and he though the sen
ators ought to be given time in which
to look into the charge. This action
gave rise to the impression that the
senate might conclude to conduct an
investigation. This report, however,
failed to bear fruit, and it appears as
though Mr.. Meyers appointment will
! be confirmed during this week.
Both houses are still at sword
points over adjournment. The SEN
ate has again refused OF pay atten-
; ton to the joint resolution adopted in
the house providing for final adjourn
ment June %. The resolution has
been referred to the senate commit
tee on rules and procedure, and prom
iss to remain there Indefinitely.
Some of the Democrats are growing
indignant over the length of the ses-