Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1913-03-21


state that is worth holding. His bill
aims to place under civil service the
heads Of all state charitable and penal
institutions and every employee in the
state departments except the elective
heads. including the 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
hers 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 a 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. Nordmau6 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. Boiens, one Of the best
known Democrats in the state, un-
consciously ran amuck with new
rule OF the senate under which any
person not member of the legisla-
ture who is interested for or against
a bill is not allowed the privilege of
the floor either when the senate Is
In session OF when 1t is informal. MT.
Bo'ens has been here on several occa.
sions since the Legislature met. Be
cause he il conversant with condi-
lions and because his advice is con.
sidered of value In the framing Of
bills relating to labor and economic
conditions. Mr.. Bolens Is frequently
missions.
The incident over the rules of the
senate was given publicity merely
because Mr.. Bolens Is SO we'll known.
While no one here was disposed to
give a wrong construction to the In
cident, many regretted its occurrence
for the reason that 1t 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 Pres!.
dent Woodrow Wilson. but thus far
he has given no indication Of chang.
ing his mind about not accepting
government position.
II he remains at home, 1t appears q
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 il 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 it's broad areas of peat marshes
an important source of fuel.
i It is suggested that within Fifty years
that these marshes will yield a cash
return Of from $500 to $4,000 per
acre
The report indicates that about
seven per cent of the total area OF
the state, comprising nearly 3,000,0S0
acres, is marshy. That this land may
be used for three purposes Is poin ted
out by the commission.
T It 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 q
quarter billion tons OF finished reat:
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