The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1915-07-09

idea is in the experimental stage and
should not supplant the well tried
system now in operation in Wisconsin.
eff we are to have any bill, the
measure introduced by Senator Staud-
enmayer impresses me as being about
the best kind of measure to pass"
M. j. McCIeary New Risk Head.
Commissioner of Insurance Herman
l.. Ekern, who has been an interest
ing and active figure in Wisconsin
politics, has been succeeded by M. j.
Cleary. The governors appointment
OF Mr.. Cleary has been confirmed by
the senate. The new commissioner
named Louis A. Anderson, Madison, as
deputy to succeed George E. Beedle
Mr.. Anderson was actuary under Mr.
Ekern until removed from office by
Mr.. Ekern during the latter's con
troversy with former Governor F. E,
McGovern. Ekern won out in the
courts, which left Anderson out in
the cold. Mr.. Louis A. Anderson is
conceded to be one of the best in
formed men in the country on insur-
ance, and his appointment by Mr.
Cleary has brought forth much favor
able comment.
Equal Suffrage Defeated.
Equal suffrage is closed issued
SO far as the present legislature is
concerned. The senate has refused to
reconsider the vote by which it in
definitely postponed the Glenn bill for
a referendum vote in 1916 on the
question of equal suffrage. The mat
ter can not be resurrected at this
session.
The administration fight to reorgan
ize the state tax commission has been
brought to life in the senate, the house
having settled the matter in manner
that meant defeat for the governor
Senator Fl. j. Bennett early in the
session introduced a bill relating to
the tax commission, and he has of
fe"ed a substitute for this measure,
which would reduce the membership
of the tax commission from three sal
aried members to one salaried mem
Der, with the governor and the chair
man of the state railroad commission
ex-officio members of the board. The
vote on the tax commission issue in
the upper house will be closer than it
was in the assembly. However, it is
not likely that this legislature will
tamper with the work of the tax COM
mission. The matter has been thor
odghly threshed out, and the commits
sion seems to be on safe ground.
Baker Law Remains Intact.
Milwaukee does not seem to be
making much Roadway to bring about
an amendment to the Baker law.
Fairly in the session the Stemper bill
to amend the Baker was introduced.
After long delay and much play of
politics, the measure passed. Gov.
Philip ordered an executive hearing
on the bill At the hearing he an
nOunced that he would not sign the
measure ~ its original form. The
governor said that the Baker law, after
eight years of trial, has e@cOme the
fixed policy of the state, and that he
would not in any manner attempt to
change that policy. The governor
said that if a bill were drawn to apply
only to Milwaukee and to recognize
certain other restrictions, so that the
policy laid down in the Baker law,
would not be attacked, he would sign
it. His disapprOval of the Stemper
| bill has led to great confusion in the
| ranks of the Milwaukee delegation, and
| It is not likely that any bill amending
| the Baker law will be enacted into
| law. The governors position was
| firm, and he has stood pat on all oc-
casions when Milwaukeeans called up
| on him to point out where he was
wrong. That the governor is not cas-
| lily moved was established by his
| stand in this matter. Very powerful
| pressure was brought on him.
Crownhart May Be Reappointed.
| There is a great deal of interest in
the probable choice of the governor to
| fill the vacancy of chairman of the
state industrial commission caused by
the expiration of Charles Crownhart's
| term. Mr. Crownhart has a very in
fuential following which has worked
| hard to have him reappOinted, and his
| reappointment would not occasion a
! great deal of surprise in legislative cir
| cles. George B. Hudnall of Superior
and Assemblyman George Hambrecht
| appear to be in the running for the
| place.
In a short time the success or fail
! ure of Gov. Philips legislative pro-
| gram will have been determined AL
ready it is as good as settled that GER
! tain features of his platform cannot be
carried out. 1t is certain that the
|. governor will be defeated in his efforts
to reOrganiZe the tax commission, and
/ fho icfr fi0,, hill FOR oonAroI