River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1913-03-20

kee has. stirred up the heads. of state
departments with a bill which extends
the Jurisdiction of the civil service
commission to about every job in the
state that is worth holding. His bill
aims to place under civil service the
heads of all state charitable and penal
institutions and every employe in the
state departments except the elective
heads, including tle governor, secre-
tary of state and so on down the list.
Under the present system the state
officers are permitted to name chief
clerk and confidential stenographer,
but under the proposed bill even this
privilege is wiped out. State Of
ficers are fighting the measure. Mem
bers of the state civil service COM
mission have announced that they
are not back of the bill.
Nordman Taxation Resolution.
Assemblyman Nordman of Langlade,
one of the new members of the low
er house, has suddenly sprung into
prominence because of his taxation
resolution which approaches single
tax proposition. He gave the subject
study for years and believes that it
is the one real way to open up north
ern Wisconsin. Mr.. Nordman's idea
is regarded with favor by T. S. Adams
of the tax commission and John r.
Commons of the industrial commits
sion, and the support of these men
has brought the author of the resolu-
ton into the limelight
Mr.. Nordman would tax lands and
exempt improvements, his theory be-
ing that many men who would settle
in the northern part of the state are
prohibited from doing so because of
their limited means and because the
present system of taxation does not
Oxford them sufficient lee-way on farm
Improvements. The idea has the
backing Of DR.. Charles Mccarthy of
the Wisconsin legislative reference
library.
The BoIens Incident.
That events often take curious
turn is evidenced by an incident that
occurred here short time ago, when
Harry w. Bolens, one of the best
known Democrats in the state, un-
consciously ran amuck with a new
rule of the senate under which any
person not a member of the iegisla-
ture who is interested for or against
bill is not allowed the privilege of
the floor either when the senate is
in session or when it is informal Mr..
Bolens has been here on several occa-
sions since the legislature met. Be-
cause he is conversant with condi-
tons and because his advice is con-
sidered of value in the framing of
bills relating to labor and economic
conditions, Mr.. Bolens is frequently
called into conference by state COM
missions.
The incident over the rules of the
senate was given publicity merely
because Mr. Bolens is so well known.
While no one here was disposed to
give a wrong construction to the in
cident, many regretted its occurrence
for the reason that it might have been
misunderstood in some quarters.
Davies Boom for Governor.
AS anticipated in these columns
weeks ago, Joseph e. Davies, secre-
tary of the Democratic national COM
mittee, is enjoying quiet little boom
for governor. Mr.. Davies has been
offered an appointment under Presi-
dent Woodrow Wilson, but thus far
he has given no indication of chang
ing his mind about not accepting a
government position.
If he remains at home, it appears a
foregone conclusion that he will be
the progressive Democratic candidate
for governor in another year. Be-
cause of his record as a progressive
Democrat Davies is regarded as a
strong candidate. Reports reach here
from Washington, d. c., that the lead
ing Democrats have great faith in
Davies to turn Wisconsin into the
ranks of Democracy if he runs for
governor.
Fuel from Peat Marshes.
OF special interest to the farmers
of the state is the report made to the
legislature by the state conservation
committee. The report indicates that
within a few years Wisconsin may
find its broad areas of peat marshes
an important source of fuel.
1t is suggested that within fifty years
that these marshes will yield cash
return of from 5000 to $4,000 per
acre.
The report indicates that about
seven per cent of the total area of
the state, comprising nearly 100000
acres, is marshy. That this land may
be used for three purposes is pointed
out by the commission.
1t may be drained and used for
agricultural purposes; it may be held
until such time as conditions will per-
NIT the marketing of two and a
quarter billion tons of finished peat;
or the land may be submerged and
used as reservoirs for the regulation
of stream flow.
The commission recommends that
the legislature change the present
drainage laws so as to reduce the
great expense now attendant upon