Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1915-02-12
HIGHWAY COMMISSION is RE-
sTRlcTEo IN SEVERAL AS.
SEMBLY BILLS.
ALEXANDER is CONFIRMED
Made Members of Railroad Commits
aion by Vote of II to 15-Three
Election Bills Are Sent to
the Governor.
Madison, Wis, Feb. 5, 1915.

All Wisconsin is taking an active
interest in the question of road con-
struction, and q large number of bills
on the subject will be introduced in
Ehe 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-
8truction.
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-
Btruction 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 a committee of the county board of
such county, but investing the state
highway commission with general SUI
peryisOTy 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 $1,2O0,000 to
100000 and that for aid in building
bridges from 100000 to $4,000,
Senate Confirms Alexander.
After an hour of debate in when
the question of public policy played
4 conspicuous part, the senate, by a
vote of II to Is, confirmed the appoint
nent of Walter Alexander of Milwau-
kee as a member of the state railroad
commission to succeed David Harlowe.
It requires seventeen votes to confirm
any appointment made by the COVER
nor and passed upon by the senate.
The appointment of John s. Owen
nf Eau Claire 70 succeed himself as a
member OF the state highway commits
sion was confirmed by a vote of 20
20 2.
Because of the pressure of legis' a.
Give work, Senator Whitman resigned
as member of the visiting commit
tee, and Senator ROlIman was named
TO succeed him.
The senate passed the Martin bill
shortening the term of Judge Esch-
weller of Milwaukee.
Another bill to reduce the cost of
state government was introduced ty
Senator T0mkins. 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,
10 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. Philip 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 non
partisan superintendency," shall not
be deemed a designation of party or
principal within the meaning of the
election laws.
Hurry in the passage OF these bills
was inspired by a desire to have their
provisions apply to the approaching
spring elections.
WiG&enson Is Made Head
The state BOARD of agriculture at it's
annual meeting elected A. H. Wilken-
son Of Bayfield, president; DR. G.. A..
Kletzsch of Milwaukee, vice president,
and Oliver f. Remey, Milwaukee, sec
>1~>~~~~>~~~0~~-~,~>~~~~~~~
Lamp Explodes; Town Endangered.
Athens.-Thc harness shop of John
Cole burned, endangering the entire
village, An explosion of gasoline
lamp was the cause. Nearby frame
buildings were saved only by volun-