Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1915-02-03


q the Joint committee On finance Of a
big job. and hey were glad to support
tie new idea.
4 Committee Philip in Complexion.
Senators Fairehiid and Whitman
AID Assemblymen Helm. Van Gordon
and Harrington were named to serve
Cd the Investigating committee. This
committee is strongly Philip in its
! complexion, which again brings ont
2 the point that the new governor is in
fuii control Of the situation at the
capitol. The makeup of the eonmit-
tee assures an Investigation along the
Ere outlined by Mr.. Philip in his
campaign speeches, and it means that
Wien the time comes some very posi-
tive ideas in economy and retrench.
ment viii be presented to the Iegisla-
ture for consideration.
Mr. Whitman thus far in his sess-
ion has played modest role. but he
is scheduled to become the admins.
! uation leader in The upper house. To
him has been assigned the duty OF in.
Producing some Of the most important
measures to come up in the senate.
lie is lawyer and banker, and is
expected 10 make an impression show.
irg in behalf of the administration
program.
The joint committee on finance is
already at work. john Tanner, expert
accountant with the state board of
public affairs, has filed with this COM
mittee a budget in which it is esti-
mated that the cost of government will
amount to s16,o0o,O00 a year for the
next two years. Mr.. Tanners budget
viii form a working basis for the COM
mittee. The work OF the finance com
mittee. next to that of the committee
Which viii investigate state boards
and commissions, is of immense i'm
pcrtance for the reason that it deals
directly with subject in which he
governor is especially interested
Everything in this legislature resolves
tpon the desire of the administration
to CIT down the cost of government.
Ackley Directs Waterpower Fight.
The waterpower bin recently intro
duced by Senator T. r. AckIey by
which the waterpower law enacted two
years ago is repealed, and a new. sys-
TEN Of regulation offered as a subst
tute has been placed before a special
committee on conservation in the sen
ate. Senator Ackley was named
chairman of this committee. Being
chairman of the committee and author
of the bill, he win assume the leader
ship in the waterpower fight
Wisconsin will again debate the sub
jeet OF ugenics. Senator Bennett has
introduced a bill to wipe out the eu-
genies law now on the statute books.
The first bill signed by Gov. Philip
extends the time for the payment of
taxes to March l. without penalty
Under the former law the date set was
Feb. l. This measure is expected to
bring much relief to the taxpayers Of
tie state at time when business con-
ditions are considered depressing.
A great food of bills have come in
on the subject of highway construc-
ton. All of these measures are based
upon the theory that counties should
enjoy a greater degree of home rule
in road building, and the measures in
troduced give to the county wide pow
ers of supervision. 1t seems certain
that out of the strong sentiment that
prevails for county supervision in road
building, that the state highway COM
mission will pass out of existence
Senator Bennett is one Of the most re-
cent members to offer bill to abolish
tee highway commission and to substi-
tute system of county supervision
Teachers Retirement Fund In Danger.
Senator Bennett also introduced a
measure to do away with the teachers
retirement fund in Wisconsin This
fund always has had.ss friends and
enemies. The fact that another fight
is to be waged against the teachers
fund indicates that the fund is in real
danger.
Senator Burke has introduced bill
" lAAApOttdA " INC WI hlilEluCh VI
Wisconsin who come under the work
mems compensation act, Mr. Burke's
bill changes the schedule of compensa-
ton of the state industrial commission
BY making the amount or compensa-
tior for the loss of an arm at the
shoulder 800 weeks instead of 240. at
the elbow $50 weeks instead of zoo,
forearm, 200 instead of 100; palm, 100
instead of so, and thumb 70 instead
of so.
Early indications of sentiment point
to a struggle for the primary cleo
ton law The senate has already
passed the Martin bill to remove the
second choice requirement from judi
cial and school board elections in Mil
waukee. Several bills will be intro.
duced to repeal the general primary
election law. and the opposition to this
law looms up as strong.
Milwaukee's group of socialists,
eight in the assembly and one in the
senate, are on the trail of the state
railroad commission Assemblyman
Vint is drafting a bill which will cause
a good deal of excitement when it
comes un for discussion This meas