The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1915-08-13

I'm view of the foregoing. facts
think it is fair inference to say that
this board will not be as effective as
a board chosen from among the peo-
ple
No One to Study Needs.
"The bill is open to the further oh
jection-that it does not provide for
high grade commissioner of education
to study the needs of all of our edu-
cational institutions and to keep the
board advised of their requirements.
"The general powers conferred up
on the board by this act are broad
and as complete as the powers confer
red by the bill that was rejected by
the senate. 1t gives the board exclu-
sive control of the financial affairs Of
our educational institutions and gen
eral charge of their business affairs,
including. the selection of sites for
new schools, the purchase of property
and the construction of new buildings.
While it gives the board no power
over the Institutional side of the uni
versity and normal schools, except so
far as the same may be Influenced by
the expenditure of money, it does not
differ widely in this respect from the
bill which was rejected, as it was not
intended that the central board should
exercise any broad authority over the
course of instruction to be carried on
in those institutions.
Will Bring About Closer Cooperation.
while this bill is open to Objec-
tiOns it is nevertheless a recognition
of the value of a central board of edu-
cation. 1t will be helpful to the edu-
cational institutions because it pro-
vides for a financial correlation, and
if it's affairs are wisely and honestly
conducted it will bring about much
closer cooperation in our educational
work, and it will be very helpful in
the upbuilding of our public school
system.
"Inasmuch as it is the duty yf this
board to present budget to the legis-
lature setting forth the financial needs
of each institution it is hoped that it
will put an end to the practice of lob
bying; by educational officers before
the legislature and that henceforth
the money which the people can afford
to raise by taxation for educational
purposes will be distributed among
the several institutions in more
equitable manner.
"The powers conferred upon this
board leave but little for the boards
of regents to do, and l believe that
experience will prove that in the flu
cure those boards will not be regarded
as helpful to the promotion of educa-
tional interests"
Corruption Charges Fall Flat.
The legislature is emerging; from
a little furry of talk which found it's
way into some of the Wisconsin pa
pers. A Milwaukee afternoon paper
printed story that members of the
legislature had been unduly Influenced
by the lobby which appeared here in
favor of the bill to regulate the jitney
traffic. Charges were made that mem
bers were wined and dined, were
given 10Y" rides and were unbecom-
ingly entertained.
The news article was written by
Fred Heath, a Milwaukee reporter,
upon information furnished by Fred
w. Wilson, of the Milwaukee FEEDER
ated Trades Council. When Wilson
was called before the committee Of
the assembly appointed to investigate
charges of alleged corruption in the
legislature, the whole affair fell fat.
Wilson had no specific information to
give to the committee.
Bill Creating State Council Passed.
The senate, by a vote Of Is to 10,
passed Senator George Skogmo's bill
abolishing the state board of public
affairs and creating a state council to
be composed of elective officers and
the heads of practically all state de-
partments. Senator Skogmo's bill car
ries an annual appropriation of $780,
OO0
Senator Skogmo contended that the
measure, IL II D0COIu0S q law, Will re-
suit in greater efficiency in govern
ment. The purpose of the proposed
Jaw shall be, so far as possible, to
bring about coordination and correla-
| ton of the work of the state
The council may devise uniform
| systems of accounting, may put into
| force a plan of classification of work
in the state service, also a plan for
| salary limitations. 1t shall be the duty
| of the council to report to the legisla-
ture of 1917, as to the feasibility of
establishing central department of
| purchases for all public bodies.
A bill appropriating 100000 annual
ly to the National guard was passed
| by the assembly by vote of 80 to 20.
1t represents an increase of about $780,
900 to meet the additional expenses of