Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1915-06-30
LAWMAKERS ACT
ON BIG MEASURES
Waterway Bill on Way to Gov
ernOT; Merger Plan Passed.
TAX COMMISSION BILL BURIED
Defeat of Administration Measure in
Assembly Biggest surprise-Motion
to Reconsider Vote Loses Out-Hct
Legislative Battle Waeed on Gen.
trial Education Board Bill.

TO heCOnSIuSr vote Loses OuC-E1SL
Legislative Battle Waged on Gen.
trail Education Board Bill.
Madison, Wis, (SpeciaD The net
result of last week in the legislature
SO far as the more important bills
are concerned is that the waterpOwer
bill, which, it is believed, will encour-
age waterpower development, is on
its way to Governor E. L. Philip, the
bill creating a state board Of conserva-
ton passed, the administrator meas
ure reorganizing the state tax commits.
sion is buried, and action on measures
creating the central board of educa-
ton, new state board of agriculture,
and state board of publis welfare is
pending in the senate.
Little surprise was occasioned by
the action of the senate concurring in
amendments made to the Ackley wa
terpower bill in the assembly. The
bill in its present form carries the
Nordman amendment eliminating the
unearned increment feature in the de-
veiopment of waterpowers, but despite
this change, sponsors of the original
bill say the present measure is moro
acceptable than the existing Husting
law. Governor E. L. Philip is expect
ed to sign the measure.
Action on Philips Bill Surprises.
The biggest surprise of the week
came in the assembly, where defeat
was the fate of the administration
measure to reorganize the state tax
commission and changing the admin
istration of the income tax law. The
bill proposed to reduce from three
salaried members to one salaried
member the makeup of the commits.
sion, and to take away from the COM
mission the administration of the in
come tax and place the same in the
hands of assessors of incomes to be
named by the several counties. This
measure met defeat, and then came
a long, hard fight to bring about re-
consideration of this vote in order that
the administration might bring in an
amendment to modify the bill.
Under the amendment it was pro-
posed to change the makeup of the
state tax commission to one salaried
member to be appointed by the gov
ernor, and the chairman of the state
railroad commission, and the governor
as an ex-officio member. The amend.
ment also provided that the admin.
istration of the income tax would be
left with the state commission except
that the number of income tax as.
SCISSORS would be reduced from Al to
not more than 81.
The motion to reconsider the vote
by which the bill was killed in the
assembly was defeated As to AZ, with
the administration three votes short.
Stiff Fight on Central Board Bill.
A great legislative war is being
waged on the bill creating a central
board of education. 1t is conceded on
all sides that the vote in the senate will
be very close on the plan to create
new state board of agriculture and a
state board of public welfare.
Governor Philip has issued state
ment to the effect that if the legisla-
ture enacts the bill creating a central
board of education, that DR.. William
II. Allen, who made the university
survey, will be named as executive
secretary of the board. DR.. Aliens
survey created a good deal of feeling
in Wisconsin, and the governors
statement probably was issued be-
cause the connection of DR.. Allen with
the central board proposition might
have something to do with the defeat
of the central board bill when the
roll is called in the senate.
Philip Scores Opposition.
Governor Phillip issued a statement
in answer to arguments of the state
board Of normal regents against the
central board of education. The gov.
ernor says:
TO oppose central board because
1t is new and to argue against any
change of present boards because
they have existed fifty years does
not sound like progressive Wisconsin.
Educational government should pro-
gress like every other government.
The most dangerous Of all standpat.
ters is the educational standpatter.
Decentralization has cost our common
schools too much while it was building
up university and normal schools.
Reasons for unification are old and
pressing.
Additional sponsibilities and great
er powers under the new board will
not deter big men. The honorarium of
IS day will permit able men on mid.
die and lower incomes to give dis
tinquished service and will permit Ia
Dor to have place and voice which
educational progress demands. More.