Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1913-05-09

Madison, Wis, May Especially
Only one measure has thus far pass
ed the Wisconsin legislature which
carries out one of the more important
pledges in the platform Of the Repub-
discouraging to some OF the progress
sive leaders to note that not a few
members are growing impatient and
are expressing earnest desires to re-
turn to their homes to look after their
personal interests. If all of the
pledges in the Republican platform
are fulfilled, some exceedingly i'm
portant bills will have to be hurried
through without receiving the usual
careful consideration. There is dan
ger, however that not all of the
pledges will be carried out
The Republican party pledged itself
to enact legislation to meet business
conditions and thereby reach out to
the big, vital question of the high cost
OF living Such bill, the Hull anti
discrimination bill, has passed both
houses, and is before Governor Nc
Govern for final consideration. Just
what the governor will do with the
Hull bill is a matter of interesting
speculation. Mr.. McGOvern has a
measure Of his own dealing with this
same subject, and this fact may in
fuence the chief executive in passing
Judgment on the measure introduced
and fought for by the speaker of the
house
All matters set forth in the plat
form of the majority party in this
state are covered in bills pending be-
fore the legislature, and some of the,
leaders still cling to the hope that all
of these measures will be favorably
acted upon.
Waterpower of Wisconsin.
The greatest fight is being waged
on a bill to give to the state through
the railroad commission, greater reeu-
lation of the waterpowers of Wiscon-
sin. A strong lobby is making an ac-
tive fight on the WaterpoWer bills,
which are highly technical and for
that reason will receive lengthy con
sideration in committee hearings
Senator Hastings, Democrat, will bear
the brunt of the work to have a com
prehensiye bill on this subject pass
ed at this session
II he oF I'll
several bills are pending and others
have been passed. Among the edu
cational bills still under cOnsidera-
ton is a measure BY Speaker Hull
providing for the consolidation of
schools wherever it appears adyan-
tageous to follow such a plan. Mr.
Hull also has bill to add one more
year to the high school course. his
theory being that high school courses
should be made as broad as possible
for the reason that many of the
young men and women of the state
conclude their educational training at
the close of the high school course.
Labor legislation as it was recon-
mended by the state industrial com
mission is in no danger of defeat
Much Of this legislation is to strength
en- and broaden the wOrkmen'S com
pensation act, which is working out
satisfactorily in Wisconsin, The Ma
hon bill to establish a minimum wage
for women and minors will not have
clear sailing, but the bill appears to
be safe.
Mothers Pension Law
The same amount cannot be said
for the several measures introduced
to establish a mothers pension in
Wisconsin. There is strong senti-
ment here for the enactment of such
proposition, but there is such
wide and determined difference of
opinion as to the best method of ad
ministration, that the whole PROPOSE,
ton may be defeated. Some of the
strongest social workers in the state
are opposing a mothers pension law
at this time on the ground that the
state should first make a thorough in
vestigation of the subject
One bill relating to waterpowers
has been passed in the house That
is the Hull bill placing the amount
for which stockholders in dams may
be liable in case dams prove made
Quate and damage results In such
cases the bill provinces that stockhold-
ers shall be liable for the amount of
stock they hold in the corporations.
A blue sky bin covering a pledge in
the Republican platform has been
agreed upon, and no serious opposi-
tion is anticipated Several changes
in the election laws of the state are
pending and all of them are expected
to pass.
Views of Dr. Mccarthy.
DR.. Charles Mccarthy of the Wis
consin reference library is taking a
decidedly active interest in the enact
ment of legislation along the most
advanced cooperative lines. He is
particularly impressed with the wis
dom ant force of Governor Mccoy
ern's bill providing for marketing
commits sion DR.. Mccarthy helieysR