Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1915-02-16
BOARD APPROVES
new AUTO TAX
COMMISSION RECOMMENDS PLAc-
ING LEVY IN PROPORTION
TO HORSEPOWER.
FEW MEASURES INTRODUCED
Up to Date Less Than 200 Bills Are
Introduced in the Assembly and
Fewer Than 100 in the
Senate.
Madison, Feb. 9, 1915.

Copies of the seventh biennial re-
port of the Wisconsin tax commission
were placed on the desks of the mem
bers of the state legislature. The COM
mission recommends that the law pro-
viding for a state tax of seyen-tenths
schools be amended so as to decrease
the amount of money so raised, that
the license fee for automobiles be
based on the power or weight CT each
machine instead of on fiat fee of
SIS a year, that personal property be
exempted from taxation and that as
sessmentc ct property be made every
four years instead of every year.
Bills covering most of the recon-
mendations of the commission have
already been introduced in the legisla-
ture.
Few Bills Introduced.
1t begins to look as though there
would be fewer bills introduced in the
Legislature this session than in several
years. Bills have been coming in
slowly in both the senate and assem-
bly,.
Up to date fewer than 200 bills and
resolutions have been introduced in
the assembly and less than 100 in the
senate. At the same time two years
ago there were nearly 100 per cent
more.
The time for the Introduction OF
new bills expires on Feb. IL. Unless
this is extended the only way bill
can be introduced after that date will
be through committee or by permits
sion of the committee on rules.
May Not Extend Time.
There seems little likelihood of the
time limit being extended. Still, with
ten days to go, many bills may be in
troduced. Two years ago 400 bills were
introduced in the assembly on the last
day, clogging the legislative machin-
cry more than week.
Favors Open Sunday.
An open Sunday is contemplated in
a bill introduced in the assembly by
Assemblyman John B. Helm. The bill
amends the Sunday law by adding the
following: Provided that the keeping
open of any place of amusement or the
participation in any game or exhibit
ton on Sunday so long as the same
shall not disturb the peace, quiet or
der or morals of the community and
shall not be in contravention of any
law, ordinance or regulation OF said
community, shall not be deemed pro-
hibited."
Erickson Elected Chairman.
Falford Erickson was elected chair
man of the state railroad commission
at a meeting of the full commission.
L. e. Gettle was renamed secretary,
which puts at rest the report that the
appointment of two new commissions
ers meant reorganization of the COIN
mission. Commissioners Erickson,
Carl D. Jackson and Walter Alexan Ter
were present.
Mr.. Erickson was one of the three
commissioners who was appointed by
Senator La Toilette when he was gov
ernor of the state John Barnes, now
Justice of the supreme court, aid
B. M. Meyers, member of the inter
state commerce commission, with Mr..
Erickson composed the original state
railroad commission.
Wants Levees Built.
John A. Fox, secretary of the Missis-
sippi Levee association, waS caller
at the executive office. AS a result of
conference he had with Speaker
Lawrence Whittet, resolution will
be introduced in the assembly memo
rializing congress to appropriate mon
ey for the building of levees along the
Mississippi to protect the delta cities
from damage by floods. Mr.. Fox will
ask other state legislatures to adopt
similar resolution.
Auto Fees to Counties.
Senator Barwig has prepared a bill
which he will introduce by which the
several counties of the state will re-
tain fees collected in the licensing of
automobiles. Under the present sys-
tenn one-fourth of the amount collected
is turned over tot he state highway
fund.
Former Atty.-Gen. Frank L. Gilbert
has been appointed by the legislative
committee investigating state depart
ments, as attorney.