The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1913-04-25
From the State Capital.

Madison, Wis. April % (SpeciaD Max
ing permanent the State Board of Public
Affairs is one of the important question
before the legislature. Bills have been
introduced by Senator Glenn and Assem-
biyman Bowe.
Two years ago the board was establish
ed temporarily to investigate and recon-
mend methods for state accounting.
The result Of the boards study was the
proposed budget system for state account
ing which. incidental v, has the hearty
endorsement of the joint Committee on
finance.
The work Of the board, however. did
not cease with study and recOmmen-
dation of the budget system but has ex-
tended in several other lines of public
accounting and public welfare.
A complete audit has been comp pleted
by the board OF all charitable and penal
institutions of the state and shortly
charts will be placed in the hands of the
Joint committee on finance showing to
the smallest detail the cost maintaining
these institutions.
In Wisconsin there are boards and
commissions making approximately 100
of organization and if the Board of Pub
lie Affairs remains all these different de-
partments and boards will be placed on
a uniform accounting basis. 1t is the
aim of the board to resystemitize as
many as possible of the different depart
ments with in the next two years.
The board also gave attention to the
subject of cooperation in buying and
selling with the result that movement in
that direction has also been brought to
head and a comprehensive statute is in
the course of construction.
At present, in most of the state depart
ments, the same business and account
ing methods are in use as were in use
wears ago. This is the first state to take
comprehensive action toward the install
lation of reliable accounting systems and
the adoption of modern business meth
ods in carrying on its affairs.
1t thought certain that the Board of
Public Affairs will be made permanent
the only question being the scope of the
appropriation and powers given.
COOPERATION IN BUYING AND SELLING.
Organized opposition to the cOOpera-
ton bill by retailers makes certain a
fnr hp
eratiye law. The friends of cooperation
noint out that the enemies are endeavOr-
ing to picture it as calculated to aid
only Ihe farmers aud to hide its certain
benefit to the whole body OF consumers
i'm reduced prices. 1t is evident, however
that weeks and perhaps months OF COM
mittee work will be required to write
constructive statement in this new and
complicated field. The temper OF the
progressives against any provision ting
ing of the ROoseyelt-Perkins plan for
government control Of the absolute price
of commodities is shown by the fact
that Assemblyman MahOn, who fathered
the bill recommended by Gov. McGOvern,
has presented to the committee as an
amendment provision absolutely pro-
hibiting the fixing of prices by the pro-
posed market commission.
COUNTY sUPERINTENDENTs.
A committee bill creating county
board of education will probably be re-
ported for passage by the assembly COM
mitree. The county superintendentS'
support will be secured, it is said, by
continuing the office elective, and secur-
ing probable general increase in salary
bv giving the new county board of edu-