Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1913-01-22

Begin Work EarIy-Measures of I'm
portance Before the Wisconsin Leg
Extraordinarily Wants Large
Appropriation This Year.
Madison, Wis, Jan. 21.-(SpeciaI.)
The Wisconsin legislature is still
sup in the air" over the McGovern-
Ekern controversy, which has devel-
Oped into a McGovern-La Toilette
oped into McGovern La Toilette
factional row of much bitterness.
While Mr.. Ekern may ultimately be
removed from the office of state insur-
ance commissioner, following his dis
Tnissal from service by Governor Nc
Govern on the ground Of political &C
tivity, it seems certain that he may
serve for some time, as the senate is
in no mood to confirm the appoint
ment of Lewis A. Anderson, state &C
tuary, as the successor of Mr.. Ekern.
To complete the appointment by
Governor McGovern of Mr.. Anderson
twenty-five Of the thirty-three sena-
tors must vote to sustain the choice
of the governor.
The senate is strongly La Toilette
in its complexion, a fact which is
frankly admitted by McGovern lead
ers. 1t is said to be the plan Of the
senate to delay confirmation of the
appointment Of Mr.. Anderson Gov
ernor McGovern will continue to SUI
NIT the name of Mr.. Anderson each
time that the senate refuses confirm
alton. The controversy may be fought
out along this line for an indefinite
period. Ultimately, however, it is
considered certain that Mr. Ekern
will have to take his case into the
courts. This will be done the mo-
ment that the senate confirms the ap-
pointment of Mr.. Anderson, but until
this action is taken Mr. Ekerns attor-
neys, according to present plans, will
not go into the courts.
Grind About to Begin.
Sessions of the legislature last
week were short and few bills were
introduced. The real grind is about
to begin. Committees have been ap-
pointed in both houses and committee
rooms have been assigned. Speaker
Hull has outlined program of action
to bring the session to an early close.
He is urging the committees to begin
work early. The fact that the state
board of public affairs has compiled a
large amount of information along the
lines of the most important bills to be
introduced, points to a shorter session
than two years ago, although bills
dealing with taxation. mothers pen
sion fund, minimum wage and a bill
to give to the state greater regulation
of the waterpowers will all consume
considerable time
Of the many measures that will be
offered tending to open up and devel-
ope northern Wisconsin, perhaps the
most important is one proposed by As
semblyman Nordman of Langlade
county. Mr. Nordman CHARGES that
development Of northern Wisconsin
has been retarded by land spectators
who own the land and control market
prices. He viii ask the legislature to
appoint a committee of investigation
to study remedies to check these
spectators. To conduct a publicity
campaign to advertise northern Wis
consin is like barking up the wrong
tree, says Mr.. Nordman He contends
that the moment large numbers of set
tiers show a disposition to move into
the northern part Of the state, land
prices will soar. If land is purchased
at the price of the spectators, he de-
clares, the settlers will not be given
a fair opportunity to develop their
property and the state will gain little
Money for University.
Nearly a million and half dollars
above the regular university appropri-
alton is the sum asked by President
Charles r. Van Hise of the University
of Wisconsin for the construction of
educational and student buildings
The desires of the university are set
forth in a report made by President
Van Hise to Governor McGovern The
large amount of money being asked
for has caused wide comment among
the members, many of whom came to
the legislature pledged to program
of economy OF the sum asked for,
SS7S.0OO is for educational buildings
and 100000 for student buildings,
which include an infrmary, a COM
mons and union, two dormitories, beat
and bath houses and equipment.
In reply to critics of the university
President Van Hise in his report says:
During the biennium there has
been discussion in the state regarding
the cost Of the university. None of
these discussions, however, have
pointed out the other side-the SER
vice OF the university in compensation
for its cost. + Therefore. it
appears that the reckless statements
which are frequently made that the
university is a charge of 100000 a
year upon the state and that this ex-
penditure is for 5000 pr 5000 students
at Madison, are eroresque misrepre-