The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1915-08-20
END OF LONGEST
SESSION is NEAR
Practically All Work Completed;
Governors Action Is Awaited.
LAWMAKERS HAD HARD GRIND

Appropriations viii 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 adjournment sine die,
within a few days.
At the close OF last weeks sessions
both houses practically completed all
work, but Governor Z. l.. Philip has
eraI 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 Gut
Until expert accountants have had
an opportunity to made an accurate
survey of all bills carrying approprla-
tions it will be impossible to say to
what extent the administration has
been successful in its economy pro-
gram. While some impOl SAINT phases
OF this program went down to defeat,
the governor inspired many heavy
cuts in appropriations. The total
amount of appropriations as compared
to two years ago will show sub
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 agrl-
cultural activities are brought under
the former department. All cOnserva-
ton matters will be taken care OF by
the new state conservation commits
sion. It is certain that these depart
ments will result in some economy,
and 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 a result of heavy cuts III
appropriations. Practically no change
of importance were made in the way
OF 'tax" laws, that is, L-Ts relating
to the adm. nistration 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
in it's 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 new laws re
of note that many bills to destroy
some of the states best laws on this
subject were defeated.
The session would have been mucf
shorter had not much time beer
taken up by the legislative investigat
ing committee which outlined the gov
ernor's 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 /;
vacation During the late summer an(
early fall he will visit many count!
fairs in Wisconsin.
Big Victory for Administration.
Governor Philips forces scored ;
victory in the senate by passing /;
general appropriation bill, embodyinl
the administrations recommendation
as against those of the committee OF
finance, for the University of Wiscon
sin.
The senate adopted amendment Il
to the committee bill by which tn
proposed appropriation of S4,743, 45
was reduced $45S,0OO, making the az
preparation $4.2S5,45O for the two yea
period.
In recognition of some of the argu
ments advanced by President Charlie
R. Van Hise, the senate amende
amendment is to provide $4,000 TO
new bleachers at Camp Randall
$4,000 for a field building for the un
versity women who take in outdoo
athletics; and $4,000 for new barns
The house concured in the bill a
amended in the senate.
Before the vote was taken Senate
Otto Bosshard made last ditch stan
in favor of the bill recommended
the committee as against the subst
tute offered by Senator Plat Viii