Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1913-08-13
MEANS MONEY IN
BADGERS POCKETS
Chairman Roemer Talks on Ex.
press Decision.
MILLIONS SAVED CONSUMERS
Asserts Companies Attacking State
5ody's Verdict viii Have to Over
turn Ruling Made by Federal
Commission First.

obdO4SOu--- ne QeclSlOH OF the inter-
state commerce commission cutting
express rates throughout the United
States will affect material savings in
Wisconsin, according TO Chairman
John II. ROemer of the railroad com
mission. Mr. Roemer said that the
decision of the Wisconsin commission
announced two months ago would
save the consumers of Wisconsin near
~ a million dollars annually. Almost
as much more, he claims. can be add
ed as the saving under the interstate
commerce commission ruling
The decision of the interstate COM
merce commission doyetails with the
one made by the state commission. .
said Mr.. Roemer. The express COM
panies are attacking the decision of
the Wisconsin commission. but before
they can overturn ii it will be neces-
sary for them to overturn the inter
state commerce commissions ruling
also. Both rulings will save millions
to Wisconsin consumers. The per-
centage of reduction is practically the
same as under the decision announced
by this commission"
One of the new laws enacted at this
session which has just gone into effect
gives the railroad commission power
TO require the erection of a union de-
pot where IL is practical and public
necessary demands. Ia Crosse will
probably be the first city to utilize
the enactment of this law. The com
mission may pro rate the cost be-
tween roads. II may order a union de-
pot in any city village or town
The commission may compel joint
use of tracks by two street car COM
panies. Other powers given the COM
mission are:
To examine shippers bills and or
der refunds; regulate conditions in
switching yards, and require crews to
be large enough for safety; to regu-
late district telegraph messenger COM
panies; compel roads to make tracks,
bridges and structures safe; compel
roads to keep up and require changes
in approaches; order dangerous cross
ings abandoned and new ones built,
and require cities to use safety appli-
ances where bridges are raised for
passage of boats.
New duties of railroads: When a
road changes its route in a city it
must notify the municipality and get
permission from the state commits
sion before making the change: all
trains. passengers and freight. must
carry emergency medical cases: roads
must keep crossings in repair be-
tween tracks and four feet on the
sides; must abandon the old style
"box-car" caboose; may reduce capital
stock when the commission approves
and when all the stock votes for it.
Shippers have two years now to
make complaints concerning over
charges Bill of lading must be so
issued that when a shipment is dam
aged 1t can be traced to the road on
which the damage occurred so that re-
covery may be made. Operation ~
trains and OF urban and interurban
cars has been made a work of neces-
sity on Sunday.
Under laws passed at this session of
the legislature the state department
OF instruction has apDortioned the
state graded school funds for the year
ending June 20. 1918, The total
amount to be divided is $1,000. One
hundred and sixty-nine first class
state graded schools receive $500
each. and POS graded schools OF the
second class receive $500 each.
The state board of control of Wis
consin. which has the management of
the state charitable. penal and re-
formatory institutions, is receiving a
large number of inquiring from rela-
tives and friends OF criminal insane,
feeble-minded and epileptic persons
confined in state and county institu-
tions regarding the provisions of the
new law providing for the steriliza-
ton OF such degenerates
The board of control is the Judge
as to the advisability OF sterilizing
any degenerates in the public charge
and there is no appeal from its de-
cision. The board intends to begin
with the female degenerates and later
take up the males. Several hundred
female degenerates will be steriliged
this year.
The liquor license fee law has been
amended so that in towns where the
license is 800 the electors may In
crease it to 5000. $3.50, $3.50 or $500
and in cities. villages or towns where
the license is 5000 1t may be increased
TO $3.50. $500 or $500