Our land = La Nostra terra. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 191?-1913, 1913-03-29
MADISON NEWS

curbing monopoly and promo ting CO.
operation will almost certainly be en-
acted by the legislature as a solution,
in large part, of the problem of the
high cost of living.
Cooperative marketing and the cost
of living were first made an issue in
Wisconsin in 1910 in the Republican
platform. The planks were drafted un-
der the direction of Senator LaFolette
by Prof. f. A. Gilmore, of the univer-
sity. Fred w. McKenise, editor of La
Follette's magazine. and other advisors
of the Senator.
The legislature of 1911, to carry out
the plank for investigation of the sub
ject. created the board of public affair.
State senator Henry Krumrey brought
the attention of this board to the
cheese trust and the need of co-opera-
tion among cheese operators. The
board made particular investigation in
this industry. being assisted by Prof.
/ H. c. Taylor, of the Department of
Agricultural Economic of the univers-
/ ty. Upon recommendation of the board
of public affairs, the university now
has Prof B. H. Hibbard investigating
the whole s bject of cooperation.
In 1911 President Van Hise. of the
university Prof. Commons Prof. T. S.
Adams. of the tax commission, Dr.
Charles Mccarthy of the reference Ii
brary and several others made long
study of high prices. Thereupon,
Charles r. Crane. of Chicago, provided
fund to employ expert drafters to
draw up a bill for Senator LaFollette.
Two conflicting plans were presented
one to control by government commits
sion the price of commodities; the
other to prohibit discrimination in
price between localities and individuals
and other unfair practices and so pro-
tect free competition. Senator LaFol-
lette opposed such control of price by
government commission as would recog
nize existing capitalization or watered
stock as basis for fixing prices.
Two bills were drafted but the bill
for control of prices by commission
was finally given up. The three bills
provided an interstate paid commission
and prohitied price discrimination and
all unfair practices. The time for the
introduction of the bill in congress,
was not opportune.
Several bills have been introduced at
this session of the Wisconsin legisa-
ture. Most for reaching of these bills
is bill by Senator Browne, and the
bill creating a market commission, re-
commended by Governor McGovern in
a special message. The latter bill is
moulded after the inter state trade
commission bill combining with it the
protection and promotion of co-opera-
tive enterprises as pledged in the plat
form of 1910.
! The bill has not been closely examn-
ed by members Of the legislature. but
it does not prohibit control Of prices
and it is thought by some that it might
indirectly bring about such control.
The recognition of watered stock and
its legalization as basis of fixing
prices. thereby fastening upon the
people, for all future generations the
tribute that the trusts are now exact
ing as income upon watered stock, is
the nation plan which Senator LaFol-
lette has fought against for several
years. The progressives in the Wiseon-
sin legislature will undoubtedly insist
that a trade commission bill be so
drafted that such an Interpretation or
result shall be impossible. The pro-
gressives will be practically unanimous
however. for bill to protect and fos-
( ter cooperative marketing and to pro-
hibit price discrimination and other un-
fair practices of the trusts to stifie
( free competition.
Madison Wis. March. SpeciaI-Bin-
der twine will be sold direct to the far
ners this year cheaper than dealers
can buy trust made twine at wholesale.
This statement was made by r. G.
Smith Of the state board Of control in
an argument before the senate state af
fairs committee.
The establishment Of the twiaa plant
at Waupun was fought with much crti
cism and yet. not Nithstsuding the
fact that the price Of raw fiber is rapid
ly soaring the plant will save much
money to the farmers Of the state, be
sides re5eemiug in part the Republican
platform pledge TO abolish contract pri-
son labor anl substitute another sys-
TEN whereby the benefits Of convict Ia
Dor will accure to the state
The probable or put Of the prison
twine plant for this wear IS cooserva.
uyely estimated at tHo and one half
million pounds The state board of
l.,rfr-.f 10 e[- i,4.r far fha srfarf rr4f~f r.f