Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1915-01-29
DIFFERENCE OF OPINION AS TO
BEST WAY IN WHICH TO CON-
DUCT INVESTIGATION.
BREY OFFERS AMENDMENT
Wants Probe Transferred to the State
Board Of Public Affairs--Adopt
Rules Of 1918 Session of
the Legislature.
Madison, Jan. 81. 1916.


That state boards and commissions
shall stand trial has been fixed by an
overwhelming sentiment in the legis-
lature, but the senate developed diff
ference of opinion as to the best man
ner in which to conduct the investiga-
ton.
When the Axel Johnson resolution
for an investigation of state boards
and commissions by a subcommittee
of the joint committee on finance came
up for consideration, Senator Bray Of
fered a substitute amendment by
which the investigating would be
transferred to the state board of pub
lie affairs, of which Gov. E. l.. Philip
is a member.
Plans Thorough Probe.
Mr. Bray's resolution provides that
the state board of public affairs is d.
rected forthwith to investigate and ex-
anime into the organization of the
various state commissions, boards and
state departments, the duties per-
formed and the activities engaged in
by the heads and employees thereof,
the efficiency of such boards, commits
sions and state departments as now
organized and conducted, the duplica-
ton of work, if any, with a view of
determining whether any of such COM
missions, boards or state departments
should be abolished or consolidated"
Mr.. Bray contended that the affairs
board is composed of expert investi-
gators, trained to conduct a probe of
state boards and commissions.
Home Rule Asked.
The question of home rule is again
before the Legislature. Senator Ar
mold, the only Socialist of the upper
house, introduced joint resolution
giving to cities and villages the right
of home rule.
Senator Bray offered a joint resolu-
tion for an amendment to the consti-
tuition to make the Office of secretary
of state, state treasurer and super
intendent of public instruction ap-
pointive by the governor instead of
elective by the people. HIS resolu-
ton was offered in the interest Of q
shorter ballot.
The senate adopted joint resolu-
ton adopting the rules Of the legisla-
ture of 1913 for this session.
Legislature May Last Five M5nths
While but one bill and one jointly
luton Of major Importance are before
the legislature, leaders in the senate
and the assembly it is urged that legis-
lative committees should begin work
at once Little Roadway can be made
| IN committee work until a greater
number of bills have been introduced,
but it appears to be the program to
take the work as it comes and try to
shorten the session.
Five-Month Session Seen.
Many guesses have been made as to
the probable length of the session, the
consensus of opinion being that it
will continue for at least five months.
If the session is kept within that 3eri-
cd, it will be gain over two years
ago. when the Legislature remained
here more than seven months. Much
delay was occasioned two years ago.
when the La Toilette men led an at
tack on former Gov Francis E. Nc
Govern, who attempted to remove
Commissioner of Insurance Herman
L. Ekern for political activity.
Want Game Laws Revised.
A complete revision of the fish and
game laws is offered as the basis for
legislation by State Fash and Game
Warden J. A. Sholts, Sparta, in his
annual report submitted to Gov. Phil
| ipp today. Complicated and conflict
ing provisions in the laws are him
drance to effective enforcement, he
asserts.
The deer killed and shipped by resi-
dents and non-residents during the
past three hunting seasons are: 1912,
5.S53; 1913, $3.50; 1914, 1876.
From incomplete reports, 1S,37s,76s
pounds of fish that sold for $685., O42
were taken from Lakes Superior and
Michigan and Green bay in 1913 by
commercial fishermen From licenses
and tags issued this industry brought
I $4,179.25 to the state. 1t is recon-
mended that the license fee system
be changed to the graduated system
depending on the amount of nets used.
| Commercial fishing on Lake Michi-