Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1915-02-16
Active in Road BUILDING.

EAAA NASN0AcA4 10 tahkAE aA 0ALAfR
interest in the question of road con-
struction, and large number of bills
on the subject will be introduced in
the senate and assembly. The prevail
ing idea is for greater degree of home
rule, restoring to the counties voice
in . the supervision of highway con-
struction.
Several of the bills already in would
wipe out the state highway commits
sion. others would reduce the commits
sion to state engineer, whose duty 1t
shall be to act in an advisory capacity.
The present high cost of highway con-
struction is one of the items of ex-
pense in state government which the
administration expects to cut down.
Administration Plan.
Administration views on the subject
of road Building will be brought out
in bill now being drawn by Senator
Whitman. The measure would give
counties supervision in road building.
would abolish the macadam road and
return to good dirt roads. 1t would
withdraw state aid. except, perhaps,
for cutting down large bills. 1t would
reduce the highway commission so
that it no longer will stand as a source
Of considerable expense to the state.
To place the administration of the
state highway aid law in the hands
OF committee of the county board of
such county, but investing the state
highway commission with general 81
pervisory powers is the plan of the
bill introduced in the assembly by Mr..
Woodland of Chippewa county. In an
other bill Mr. Woodland proposes to re-
duce state aid from $1s2O0,000 to
100000 and that for aid in building
bridges from 100000 to $4,000.
Senate Confirms Alexander.
After an hour of debate in which
the question of public policy played
a conspicuous part, the senate, by a
vote of II to Is, confirmed the appoint
ment of Walter Alexander of Milwau-
kee as a member of the state railroad
commission to succeed David Harlowe.
1t requires seventeen votes to confirm
any appointment made by the COVER
nor and passed upon by the senate.
The appointment of John S. Owen
of Eau Claire to succeed himself as a
member of the state highway commits
to 2.
Because of the pressure Of legisla-
tive work, Senator Whitman resigned
as a member of the visiting commit
tee, and Senator Rollman was named
to succeed him.
The senate passed the Martin bill
shortening the term of Judge Esch-
weller of Milwaukee.
Ano.he bill to reduce the cost of
state government was introduced by
Senator Tomkins. This bill wipes out
the state fish and game warden's de-
partment, state board of forestry, state
conservation commission, commission
of fisheries, and state park board and
transfers the duties of these depart
ments to new commission to be NAM
ed the state conservation commission,
to be made up OF three members, any
one of whom may be discharged by the
governor for inefficiency. 1t is provid-
ed that the members of this commits
sion shall hold no other office.
Bills Await Signature.
The assembly passed three election
bills originating in the senate and sent
them to Gov Phillip for his signature.
Two of the bills, introduced by Sena-
tor Martin, provided that the second
choice law shall not apply to judiciary
elections or to nomination of school
directors in cities of the first class.
The third, originating with Senator
Burke, provides that the statement,
"a nonpartisan judiciary" or "a nom
partisan SUPPLEMENTARY" shall not
be deemed designation of party or
principal within the meaning of the
election laws.
Hurry in the passage of these bills
was inspired by desire to have their
provisions apply to the approaching
SpIlh5 CACSIiOAos
Propose Income Tax Law Changes.
Three significant changes in the in
come tax law were proposed in senate
bills introduced.
Senator Bichlers bill terminates the
office of all present income assessors
December 81 next, and provides that
each county board shall file with the
state tax commission list of six men
from which the commission shall
choose an assessor of income for such
district Tor s three-year term.
Senator Baxter offered bill placing
the income exempt at about $4,000, the
same as the federal law allows. 1t is
now $1,000 for a married man.
More Money for Capitol.
A bill introduced in the senate ap-
propriates $1,200,000 more to the state
capitol commission to complete the
capitol. Of this sum 100000 is to be
available in 1915 and 100000 in 1916.
Up to the present $5.4OO.oOO has been
expended With the appropriations
carried by the senate bill the total
amount will be $6.600,000.
| The Ballard resolution. commend
ing the administration of State Dairy
and Food Commissioner ]. Q. Emery,
and recommending his retention in Of
fee, was referred to the committee
on state affairs.
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