Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1915-03-09
THE LEGISLATURE.

derStOOd the b1llS have been drafted
and are now being given considera-
tion by leading members of both
senate and assembly. The two bills
which have been drawn so far both
provide for the retention of the pre-
sent forestry reserve, but differ in the
provisions for the sale of agricultu-
raj lands now located within the re-
serve. 1t is said both bills are the
result of careful study, and that both
offer solution of the forestry ques-
tion although viewing it from a
different standpoint. There is talk
that bill may be drafted by the
opponents of the forestry reserve
which, should it become law, would
do away altogether with the reserve.
1t is claimed the supporters of the
present waterpower legislation are
planning when the hearings are held
on the bill giving the Wolf River I'M
provement company further time to
complete its reservoir system to ask
some more amendments to the law
under which the franchise is granted.
The amendments asked will be in line
with the existing state waterpower
policy, the main features of its fran
chise remain unchanged.
The waterpower interests are pre-
pairing to make some very forcible
statements in regard to the water
power situation in Wisconsin at the
hearing which is to be held next Tues
day. 1t is said maps will be present
ed showing the undeveloped water
powers and giving instances of powers
which could be developed and put to
good use if the present waterpowei
legislation should be changed in the
way the waterpower owners desire.
Newspaper publishers of the state
pleaded the lack of necessity of a law
to prohibit higher rates for political
advertising than are charged for
other classes, in opposing the Bray
bill before the senate state affairs
committee. They resented attempts
to prevent them from running their
own business, as one editor put it.
A. P. Nelson, Grantsburg, was
elected president of the board of re-
gents to succeed j. f. Trottman,
whose resignation was accepted. I'm
mediately afterwards the regents
passed resolution providing that no
president of the board is eligible to
succeed himself Regent G. d. Jones
of Wausau, was elected vice presi-
dent of the board.
No hearing was held Wednesday
afternoon upon the weekly wage pay
ment bill, as it was discovered there
are several bills on this subject before
the legislature and it was decided to
collect all of them and hold joint
hearing on all of The measures with
the senate committee having charge
of similar bills.
That state printing plants are
wasteful and extravagant is the opin-
ion of o. d. Brandenburg of Madison,
contract printer for the state. He
appeared before the assembly COM
mittee on printing Tuesday afternoon
in opposition to the Kent resolution
amending the constitution for the
creation of state printing plant.
A strong effort is being made by
the typographical union to secure re-
cognition for the bill limiting the
hours of work on state printing con-
tracts to eight day. The state
printing is now let to large number
of printers, and many of the shops
where the printing is being done are
open shops.
Petitions are coming in from all
the cities in the state having state
educational institutions against the
Helm bill which aims to place limi-
tations on students voting where
they are attending school. By many
1t is believed the bill is unconstitu-
tional. This point will be raised
against the measure.
The anti-treating bill will be heard
by the committee on excise and fees
Wednesday afternoon. This measure
which was introduced by Assembly
man Heden of Ogema, provides that
no person will be allowed to treat an
other to any liquor. 1t does not ex-
tend to the buying of cigars.
The bill to repeal the state boxing
commission and prohibit boxing in
this state under heavy penalty will
be given hearing Friday afternoon
by the assembly committee on state
affairs.