River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1913-05-01


as no opposition to the plan has mani
tested itself at the public hearings
conducted on the bill. In fact, the
program as outlined in a recent mes
sage to the legislature by Governor
McGovern is receiving strong sup
port. Former State Senator San
born Of Ashland appeared for the bill
at the last hearing.
Senator Sanborn believes that the
McGovern idea, if carried out by the
state, will do much to improve condi-
tons and reduce the high cost of liv
ing. He said "this market question
is the biggest proposition we have
before u.s. Senator Sanborn believes
that too many are engaged in dis
tribution. and we are collecting tolls
from the consumers. "Tn cities and
villages" he said, there are twice as
many grocery stores than are need
ed
Uniform System of Text Books.
Assemblyman Mahon has intro
ced bill providing for uniform
S. stem Of text books in Wisconsin.
Mr.. Mahon is chairman of the com
mittee named two years ago to in
vestigate the text book situation in
| Wisconsin. BY a careful canvass of
the situation this committee learned
that there is little division of the
| book business in Wisconsin, two pub
| fishing houses practically having con-
troll of the market. The system of
competition is unfair and the small
er companies, no matter how much
merit their book may have, are given
little opportunity Under the Mahon
| plan the state would use a uniform,
| system Of text books, and the purchas-
| ing power would be vested in a cen.
| trail commission.
| All publishing houses. whether large
or small. new or old, would be given
| the same kind of hearing. The state
would then be placed in the position
| of seeing the best books, and being
| free to make it's own choice 1t is no
| longer doubted that in Wisconsin the
| book companies have a powerful in
| fiuence, and that the present system
conducive to the most adequate edu-
cational system. 1t is believed that
| the book houses will make their old
fight against the uniformity bill. A
| similar proposition was defeated two
| years ago. Following the defeat of
the bill, Assemblyman Mahon intro
| duced a resolution providing for an
| investigation of the text look situa-
| ton. The investigation was conduct.
| ed, and Mr.. Mahon is back at the old
stand ready to make the fight all
over again. He feels that he is better
| fortified to meet the publishing
| houses, and seems confident that this
legislature will go on record for the
state uniformity plan
Speaker Hull for Governor.
One of the richest bits of gossip at
the capitol is that Speaker Hull of
Black River Falls will be the next
! leading Republican candidate for
| governor. Mr.. Hull, barring some UNI
expected development at this session
| of the legislature, appears to occupy
an ideal position in politics. Meow
ern men were satisfied with his cleo
ton as speaker of the assembly, but
the fact remains that the La Toilette
people put Mr.. Hull over as speaker,
which makes him decidedly strong
| with that faction of the Republican
| party.
1t is true that Mr. Hull has been ac-
tive in his opposition to the univer.
sity, but, politically, at least, this
will do him no great injury in the
| event that he becomes a candidate
| for governor, if the vote on the state
superintendency is to be considered as
| any criterion There is much about
the affable speaker of the house that
| recommends him as strong candi-
date to succeed Governor McGovern.
He is a strong speaker, a clear-head-
ed thinker, and his honesty is uni
versally recognized in this state. Mr..
Hull has never given any public init
| nation that he aspires to become gov
ernor. but political events in Wiscon-
sin are shaping up in such manner
that his candidacy appears to be a
logical development. During this
session, Mr. Hull has maintained an
impartial attitude, and he has many
friends.
Mothers Pension Bill
It is disturbing to the friends of the
mothers pension idea that some of
the strongest opponents to the bills
that have been introduced on this
subject are well known social work
ers in the state. The chief objection
coming from this source is based up
on the contention that the mothers
pension idea is too new for Wiscon-
sin to act intelligently upon the sub
ject without first making a careful
investigation as to the best methods
of administering such law, and the
most workable plan for mothers pen
sions. The Republican party plat
form pledged the majority party in
this state to the enactment Of law
providing for mothers pensions, and
there is a good strong sentiment on
the outside which is opposed to de-
lay.
| Several hearings have already been
held and a number more are seized.
uled.