River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1913-01-30
WAR IS PLANNED
ON TAX SHARKS
Socialists Start Campaign on
Buyinu Titles by Moneyed Men.
OEPRIvEs POOR OF PROPERTY
Resolutions for Constitutional Amend
ment Are Expected to Come Be-
fore Both Houses for Passage
Within Next Ten Days.


Within Next Ten Days.
Madison. The Milwaukee Socialists
have started a campaign in the legls-
Iature intended to put an end TO the
practice of money sharks in buying
tax titles. Senator Zophy, the party
representative in the upper house, con-
tends that there are few 1nanclal
men IN each community who purchase
t.. titles each year, upon which they
reap an interest rate of 16 per cent.
IF they can secure three successive
tax titles to a piece of property they
can move in the courts to secure reg
ular title to the land. The Socialists
claim that through neglect poor work
ingmen are often deprived or their
property by this process. Senator
Zophy has introduced bill which
compels the state to acquire land to
be sold for taxes, and also tax titles
offered for sale in every county each
year. The state is to carry these in
vestments at six per cent. and return
the property tax title to the owner II
he redeems it in three years. Other
wise the land reverts to the state.
soIons to Get Busy Soon.
There were indications that the
legislature intended to get real
busy very soon. In the assembly
every joint resolution for const1tu-
tional amendment has been presented,
and Senator Paul Husting offered the
last amendment in the senate. This
means that hearings will be ordered
on these resolutions Immediately and
that within the next ten days they will
come before the two houses for pass
age.
Assemblyman Hanson has bill IN
the legislature permitting wife to
testify in trial against her husband,
and vice versa. This subject has al
ready been Endorsed in several states,
and the idea that two hearts beat as
one will doubtless be abrogated this
year in Wisconsin. Women's clubs
are generally in favor Of the plan.
Insurance For Workers.
The constitutional amendment pre-
allow the state to invest in the state
life insurance plan is one Of the adj
vance steps that will be taken at this
session of the legislature. This paves
the way for the Introduction OF acct
dent and sickness insurance for work
ingmen. in which the state will con-
tribute something toward the mainte-
nance of the state fund. OF course,
tefore this can be started the Hurlbut
resolution must be adopted by the
legislature and approved by the people
at the general election in 1914. Legis-
lation along this line cannot be enact
ed at this session, but a committee
will be appointed to investigate the
subject of sickness and accident in
surance, as conducted by European
countries, so that all will be in read!-
ness for the enactment of such legisl&-
ture when the constitution is finally
amended.
Fight Against Trust Methods.
i bill regarded by it's author as an
important step in the fight against
trust methods in dealings with the.con-
Stunning people is Speaker Hulls anti
discrimination" measure, introduced
IN the third successive legislature by
that solon. The speaker claims that
this bill was the first. of it's kind ever
introduced in this country, and that
today it is part of Woodrow Wilson's
legislative program for the nation and
was Endorsed by the three leading ma
tional parties, as we'll as by the last
Republican state platform. Twice in
Wisconsin was it defeated by close
vote, and the speaker is hopeful that
the third trial will bring success.
Unfair discrimination is defined in
the bill as any attempt by a corpora
ton, partnership, firm or individual to
sell products lower in one community
than they sell the same goods in an
other community in order to drive
competitors out of business. The bill
allows for any difference in grade or
quality and in the cost of transporta-
tioE. The penalty for violation ranges
from $40 to $4,000, or Imprisonment
for one year, or both fine and impris-
onment
Limits Sale of Liquor.
To forbid the sale of liquor in any
building or on grounds of any public.
private or parochial school in Wiscon-
sin, regardless of the character Of the
gathering being held there, day or
night, is the text of bill by Mr. Co.
recki, Milwaukee Socialist member.
This legislation was requested by the
Polish School association and the
Polish society of Milwaukee. The bill
also prevents sale Of liquor at church
bazars and school entertainments.