Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1915-08-18
END OF LONGEST
SESSION is NEAR
Practically All Work Completed;
Governors Action Is Awaited.
LAWMAKERS HAD HARD GRIND

Appropriations Will Show Substantial
Cut AS Compared to Two Years Ago.
Due to Philips Economy Program
Many Boards consolidated-No
Change in TAX" Laws-New Water
way Law.
Madison, Wis, (SpeciaD.-The ses-
sion of the Wisconsin legislature, the
longest in the history of the state,
will come to adjournmeLI sine die
within few days.
At the close of last weeks sessions,
both houses practically completed all
work, but Governor E. l.. Philip has
several days in which to pass on bills,
and until these have been disposed
of final adjournment cannot be had.
The session has been a long, hard
grind for the members, who have
been pretty game" about remaining
on the job.
Appropriations Will Show Big Cut.
Until expert accountants have had
an opportunity to made an accurate
survey of all bills carrying appropr1a-
tions it will be impossible to say to
what extent the administration has
been successful in its economy pro-
gram. While some impor Eant phases
OF this program went doNh to defeat,
the governor inspired many heavy
cuts in appropriations. The total
amount of appropriations as compared
will q h.
stantial cut. Just what this will mean
to the average citizen and taxpayer
cannot be ascertained at this time.
The two largest consolidation bills
enacted by the legislature and signed
by the governor create state depart
ment of agriculture and a state con-
servation commission. All state agri-
cultural activities are brought under
the former department. All conserva-
ton matters will be taken care of by
the new state conservation commits
sion. 1t is certain that these depart
ments will result in some economy.
ard will mean a greater degree OF
business management in the handling
of state affairs.
Whatever saving is accomplished
through the efforts Of the legislature
Will come as result of heavy cuts in
appropriations. Practically no change
OF Importance were made in the way
OF tax laws, that is, ls-ws relating
TIC the administration of the states
system of taxation, and the state tax
commission.
New Waterpower Law.
A new law of wide interest is known
as the Ackley waterpower law which
comes as a substitute for the so-called
Husting law. The argument was made
that the Husting law was so drastic
ia its provisions that men of money
would not invest for waterpower de-
velopment in Wisconsin. The new
statute, it is said, will result in more
development of waterpowers.
Little was accomplished by the
legislature in the way of hSw laws re-
lating to labor. However, it is worthy
of note that many bills to destroy
some of the states best laws on this
subject were defeated.
The session would have been much
shorter had not much time been
taken up by the legislative investigat-
ing committee which outlined the gov
ernOrs consolidation program. There
is no criticism of the committee, how
ever, as the job was big one.
Now that the session is about over,
Governor Philip is planning on a
vacation. During the late summer and
early fall he will visit many county
fairs in Wisconsin.
Big Victory for Administration.
Governor Philips forces scored a
victory In the senate by passing a
general appropriation bill, embodying
the administrations recommendations
as against those of the committee ON
finance, for the University of Wiscon-
sin.
The senate adopted amendment IS
10 the committee bill by which the
proposed appropriation of $4,74S.45
was reduced s45S, 200, making the ap-
preparation s4,2S5,45O for the two year
period.
In recognition of some Of the argu-
ments advanced by President Charles
r. Van Hise, the senate amended
amendment is to provide $4,000 for
new bleachers at Camp Randall;
$4,000 for a field building for the uni
Yersity women who take in outdoor
athletics; and $4,000 for new barns.
The house concured in the bill as
amended in the senate.
Before the vote was taken Senator
Otto Bosshard made last ditch stand
in favor of the bill recommended by
the committee as against the substi.
tute offered by Senator Plat Whit.
man.
IF you would continue to ha q
university worth of the name" de-
nInrnd Snnafnr RnSShard avnn cannnt