Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1913-05-07

can Platform Is Hanging Fire
Only One Measure Put Through So
Far-ReguIation of Waterpowers-
School and Labor Legislation.
Madison, Wis, May 6-(Special.)
Only one measure has thus far pass
ed the Wisconsin legislature which
carries out one of the more important
pledges in the platform of the Repub-
aican party. In this connection it is
discouraging to some of the progress
ssive leaders to note that not a few
members are growing impatient and
are expressing earnest desires to re-
turn to their homes to look after their
personal interests. If all of the
pledges in the Republican platform
are fulfilled, some exceedingly i'm
pOrtant bills will have to be hurried
Through without receiving the usual
careful consideration. There is dan
ger, however, that not all Of the
pledges will be carried out.
The Republican party pledged itself
TO enact legislation to meet business
conditions and thereby reach out to
the big, vital question of the high cost
of living. Such a bill, the Hull anti
discrimination bill, has passed both
houses, and is before Governor Nc
Govern for final consideration Just
what the governor will do with the
Hull bill is matter of interesting
To- In
measure of his own dealing with this
same subject, and this fact may in
.augnce the chief executive in passing
Judgment on the measure introduced
and fought for by the speaker of the
house.
All matters set forth in the plat
Horm Of the majority party in this
state are covered in bills pending be-
fore the legislature, and some of the
leaders still cling to the hope that all
of these measures will be favorably
acted upon.
WaterpoWer of Wisconsin.
The greatest fight is being waged
on a bill to give to the state, through
the railroad commission, greater regu-
lat1on of the waterpowers of Wiscon-
sin. strong lobby is making an &C.
tive fight on the waterpower bills,
which are highly technical and for
that reason will receive lengthy con-
sideration in committee hearings.
Senator Hastings, Democrat, will bear
the brunt of the work to have a COM
Drehensive bill on this subject pass
ed at this session.
In the matter of school legislation
several bills are pending and others
have been passed. Among the edu-
cational bills still under considera-
ton is a measure by Speaker Hull
providing for the consolidation of
schools wherever it appears advan-
tageous to follow such a plan. Mr..
Hull also has a bill to add one more
year to the high school course, his
theory being that high school courses
should be made as broad as possible
Gor the reason that many of the
young men and women of the state
conclude their educational training at
1.-THE close of the high school course.
- Labor legislation as it was recon-
mended by the state industrial com
mission is in no danger of defeat.
Much of this legislation is to strength
zen and broaden the workmen's COM
pensation act, which is working out
satisfactorily in Wisconsin. The Ma
hon bill to establish minimum wage
for women and minors will not have
al hut tIn e.
De safe.
Mothers Pension Law.
The same amount cannot be said
3for the several measures introduced
SO establish a mothers pension in
Wisconsin. There is strong senti-
ment here for the enactment of such
"a proposition, but there is such a
wide and determined difference of
opinion as to the best method of ad-
ADMINISTRATION, that the whole PROPOSE
ton may be defeated. Some of the
strongest social workers in the state
are opposing a mothers pension law
at this time on the ground that the
:state should first make thorough in
westigation of the subject.
One bill relating to waterpowers
has been passed in the house. That
IS the Hull bill placing the amount
Ior which stockholders in dams may
be liable in case dams prove made
quate and damage results. In such
cases the bill provides that stockhold
ers shall be liable for the amount of
stock they hold in the corporations.
A bluo sky bill covering a pledge in
the Republican platform has been
;agreed upon, and no serious opposi-
Stion is anticipated Several changes
in the election laws of the state are
pending and all of them are expected
TO pass.
Views Of Or. Mccarthy.
DR.. Charles Mccarthy Of the Wis
ecorsin reference library is taking
decidedly active interest in the enact
ment of legislation along the most