River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1913-04-03
CONSTITUTION
AMENDMENTS
From Fifteen to Thirty VIII Be
Offered This Session.
RESOLUTION BY JUDGE ROSA
It Provides for a Referendum Vote In
1914 on the Question of Holding
Constitutional Convention - Effect
of Senator LaFoIIette's Visit to
Madison-Loans to Farmers.

Madison-Loans to Farmers.
Madison, Wis, April 1.-(Special)
Progressive leaders in Wisconsin
feel that the Badger state is outgrow-
ing its constitution, and Indications
are that a constitutional convention
will be soon held. This is evidenced
by the fact that the judiciary COM
mittee of the assembly reported favor
ably on a joint resolution offered by
Judge Charles ID. Rosa, Beloit, which
provides for a referendum vote in
1914 on the question of holding a con-
stitutional convention. Such gath
ering would be held in the capital city,
as provided for by statute.
Judge Rosa points to the fact
that from fifteen to thirty amend
ments to the constitution will be offer
ed at this session of the legislature,
nearly all of these bearing upon the
basic law. He believes that a consti-
tutional convention is necessary to
bring the constitution into legal har-
mony with the many new ideas that
are being presented here in the form
of proposed legislation. Although a
new member in the assembly, Judge
Rosa is regarded as one Of the most
substantial and thoughtful men in the
Legislature, and his suggestions re-
ceive serious consideration in the
senate as well as the assembly.
LaFoIIette's Visit to Madison.
The brief visit of Senator LaFol-
1ette here last week has done much
to clear the clouded atmosphere in
legislative circles relative to the en-
actment of all progressive legislation.
Senator LaFollette came here primar
ily to see his brother, William, who
is seriously ILL., but while here he con-
ferred with his own party leaders and
a general discussion was had concern
ing the status of legislation at this
session. Wisconsin's leader in his
conversation with members of the as
sembly and the senate took clean
cut and positive stand, urging the
progressives to work in the interests
of progressive legislation no matter
Iation came. He made it clear that
IF Governor McGovern, who is recog-
nized as the senator's most dangerous
rival, suggested progressive legisla-
ton that it should receive the same
careful consideration that it would
receive were it offered by LaF'ol-
1ette leader
The senator does not care to give
Governor McGovern any political am
munition through the failure of the
LaFollette progressives to support
legislation which is progressive. 1t
is felt that if LaFollette men fell away
from the governor in matters of prin-
cipIe purely out of any factiona1 feel
ing that may exist that it would hurt
the LaFollette progressive movement
and benefit the program of the gov
ernor.
For Loans to Farmers.
An interesting committee recon-
mendation came out in the assembly
this week when the Nye joint resolu-
ton opening the way for the state to
make loans to farmers was favorably
recommended. The plan is part of
the general cooperative program out
lined to develop northern Wisconsin,
which heretofore has been controlled
to a large degree by land spectators.
The details of the scheme will be
brought out when the reso lution comes
ND for debate in the house. Wiscon-
sin is devoting much attention to
northern Wisconsin and some import
ant legislation for the benefit of that
section of the state doubtless will be
enacted at the present session.
Joint Use of Car Tracks.
The legislature has passed bill in
troduced by Assemblyman Holmes,
Madison, which is of wide Importance
and of general interest in Wisconsin
in all communities which aspire to re-
ceive the benefits incident to good
suburban service. Most municipali-
ties object to having their streets cut
up by street railway lines, and local
traction companies frequently delay
interurban development by holding
out for prohibitive compensation for
the use of their tracks when interur-
ban companies show a desire to use
them as part of their equipment in
cities.
The Holmes bin provides for the
Joint use of tracks, it being left with
the railroad commission to fix the
compensation. This bill, if it becomes
a law, Will do much to develop inter
urban service. The measure is OF
particular interest at this time in Mil
waukee, which city has experienced a
controversy of long standing over the
Joint use of tracks. Madison, too, is
especially interested in the measure,
for the reason at least that one OPP
portunity to secure interurban service
here was blocked because the local
line held out for such a large fee for
the use Of its system by an outside
concern
Equal Suffrage Question.
That ever interesting issue of equal
suffrage will be disposed of in the
legislature within a few days. The
Glenn bill providing for a referendum
vote in 1914 on the suffrage question
has already passed the senate and il
now before the house. Public hear
ings have been held and the assembl.
will vote on the proposition soon.
Indications are that the vote will b.
close. Both sides claim that the,
have sufficient votes to win. Part
leaders have taken silent but de
cidedlv active interest in the nrnnnS