River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1913-04-17

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oint resolution providing for the re-
;all of elective officers, except the
judiciary. The same proposal to
amend the constitution was fayorably
scted upon two years ago. and II the
resolution is adopted in the assembly,
and it seems likely that it will be, the
people of the state at the next cleo
ion will pass upon the question.
Senator Ashley caused a stir when
he attempted to amend the resolu-
ton so that it would include the re-
call of judges. Several senators who
are not unfriendly to this proposition
pointed out that Senator Ackley might
Introduce separate resolution pro-
viding for an amendment to the con-
stitution to bring about the recall OF
Judges. To amend the Husting reso-
luton, however, would delay vote
in the recall of other elective Offices.
Senator Ackley declined to withdraw
his amendment, which was defeated
oy = heavy vote, Senator Ackley be-
ing tho only ono to support it.
The HuSting joint resolution pro-
viding for home rule in cities and vii
lage and the one providing that the
legislature may adopt a joint resolu-
ton By a three f1fths vote instead Of
two-thirds vote have been adopted
Fight on Waterpowers.
Senator Husting is making his old
time fight on the waterpowers and is
hopeful of having the issue squarely
before the legislature in short time.
Tie believes that the loss of life and
the great damage to property in the
flood district of Ohio will prove help
full to the bill before the legislature.
The cheap construction OF dams, he
says, except under extraordinary cir
cumstances, is largely responsible
for the flood losses. Senator
Hastings idea is to give to the state
the right to say what kind of dams
shall be built and where they shall be
built
His bill makes it necessary for
companies to file with the state rail-
road commission plans for any dam
which it is proposed to be built All
dams are to be constructed under the
supervision of the commission.
1t is safe to predict that the assem-
bly, will kill the bill which originally
provided for five mile dry zone
about the state university. When the
bill came up in the house Assembly
man Roethe's amendment was pre-
scented making the measure apply to
all cities having state educational in.
situations. The amendment will
probably be adopted and that will as
sure the killing of the bill.
Old-Time Fight Is On.
An old-time fight is being made in
Wisconsin; a fight whic recalls the
days when the state railroad commits
sion was first proposed and aroused
great business interests in this state.
The situation which confronts the
legislature over the report of the
special fire insurance committee is
based upon the same line of argu-
ment presented by the railroads in
I 905, when the railroad commission
law was passed, and in 1907, when
the public utilities law was passed.
The orestion ct issue upon the re-
port Of the special fire insurance COM
mittee is the same question that was
at issue upon the passage Of the rail
roads and public utilities acts The
~oads wanted the rover of the railroad
nd ~ tn
!iscriminative; the public utilities i'll
907 advanced the same desire; the
FIRE insurance companies now take
The same position. The railroad COM
mission, however, was given the right
to fix railroad rates, and in 1907 the
right to fix rates for public utilities,
and it seems likely that in 1913 the
insurance commission will be given
like power over fire insurance rates.
Appeal may be taken, of course, from
surance Commissioner Ekern is back
of the proposition to regulate fire in
surance.
Slow Progress in Legislature.
It is a source of regret to many
progressive leaders that the present
legislature is making little progress.
Hardly single major bill before the
session has really made Roadway. The
legislature has shown tendencies
similar to those displayed by the
legislature which elected Isaac Ste
phenson to the United States senate.
The fear has been expressed that lit
tie will be accomplished at this ses-
sion. The legislature will be forced
to pass on many important bills with
out giving them much consideration
or kill them. Much of the discomfort
that prevails may be attributed to
the startling lack of organization in
the lower house.
Not in years has there been such
manifest disorganization. No mem
Der of the assembly can be pointed to
as the Republican leader. There is
no man about whom the quarrelling
forces are disposed to unite in the in
terest of harmony and action on i'm
portant bills.
The Social Democrats and the
Democrats are in the minority and
can do little to improve the sftua-