The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1915-02-02
sl6,000,OOO A YEAR
FOR STATEEXPENSE
LEGISLATIVE FINANCE COMMIT
TEE GETS ESTIMATE OF
JOHN TANNER.
BUDGET STUDY BASIS GIVEN
Details Of Report Secret and Interest
Is Aroused Over Figures ReIat-
Ing to State University
Under Economy Plan.
Madison. Jan. &c, 1915,

Madison. Jan. &c, 1915.
A budget estimating the cost of
state government as about $16,000.000
q year for the next two years has been
filed with the joint committee on fin
ance In the legislature.
This budget forms a working basis
for the committee. Bills relating to
the state dairy and food commission
ers department came up for discus
zion Commissioner J. O. Emery ap-
peared in behalf of appropriations
calling for an increase Of about $11 900
for his department.
Details Not Revealed.
The budget filed with the joint CON-
mittee on finance was compiled by
John Tanner, expert accountant with
the state board of public affairs. A
copy of the budget has been filed with
Gov. E. l.. Philip. 1t has been fixed
as the policy of the committee not TO
release the contents of the budget for
the present
1t is known, however, that $16,000,000
a year Is fixed as the estimated cost
Of state government for the next two
years. 1t is said that after that epriod
Mr.. Tanner, through his budget esti-
mates, points to marked economy and
estimates a decrease of $1,000,000
year In the cost of government in Wis
consin.
Detail Study Planned.
Great interest centers in estimates
relating to the state university. 1t is
understood that the university will
attempt to disarm a suspicion of ex-
travagance in administration by MAX
ing comparatively modest demand
on the general fund of the state 1t
has been limited by members of the
senate that the sudden wave of econo-
my at the university that appropria-
ton bills will be one of the notable
surprises of the session.
Tax Bill Is Signed.
The bill introduced by Assemblyman
r. J. Nye of Superior extending time
for paying taxes to March 1 without
penalty, in cities of the second third
and fourth class, was signed by Gov.
Philip, having previously passed both
houses of the legislature.
Governor Names Davidson.
Gov. Philip sent to the senate the
appointment of former Gov James 0.
Davidson as a member of the state
board of control Mr.. Davidson is to
succeed Ralph Smith as president Of
the board. In a statement issued to
the press at the time the appointment
was sent to the senate Gov Philip
says he intends to place Mr. Smith in
another position in the state service.
The Davidson appointment is effective
Feb. Is.
Two Committees Named.
Two important committees were an
nounced in the senate. Senators Ack-
ley, Hanson, Kellogg, Stevens and
Tomkins were named as the commit
tee on conservation, with Senator Ack-
ley acting as chairman. Senators Ben
nett Bichler, Cunningham, Everett
and Staudenmayer were named to
serve on the committee on highways
snort Routes" to Rule.
A bill has been introduced in the
assembly to save the people of the state
much money, now paid to railway
companies for transportation. The bill
provides that fares shall be based up
on the ''short routes" to a given point.
Propose Constitutional Convention.
The question of calling a constitu-
tional convention to be held in No
vember, 1916, was submitted to the
assembly in the form of a joint reso-
luton from Assemblyman MCGOWAN
of Adams county.
Assemblyman Waldron introduced a
bill for free textbooks in all public
schools.
Assemblyman Budlong, bill pro-
viding for the exemption of $1,000 of
property held by Mexican and Civil
war veterans.
Assemblyman Bradley, a bill to re-
peal the appropriation made two years
ago for physical education building
at the La Crosse normal school
Assemblyman MCGOWAN, a measure
to abolish the office of oil inspector
and place the duties under the dairy
and food department; bill to repeal
the law passed two years ago, increas-
ing the jurisdiction of the county
court of Adams county, and another