The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1915-02-09
HOME RULE Of ROAD
BUILDING PLANNED
HIGHWAY COMMISSION is RE-
STRlCTED IN SEVERAL AS
SEMBLY BILLS.
ALEXANDER Is CONFIRMED
Made Members of Railroad Commits
sion by Vote of II to 15-Three
Election Bills Are Sent to
the Governor.
Madison, Wis, Feb. 5, 1915.


All Wisconsin is taking an active
interest in the question Of road con-
struction, and a large number Of bills
on the subject viii be introduced in
the senate and assembly The prevail
ing idea is for greater degree of home
rule, restoring to the counties voice
in the supervision of highway con-
struction.
Several of the bills already in would
wipe out the state highway commits
sion, others would reduce the commits
sion to state engineer, whose duty it
shall be to act in an advisory capacity.
struction is one of the items of ex-
pense in state government which the
administration expects to cut down.
Administration Plan.
Administration views on the subject
of road building will be brought out
in bill now being drawn by Senator
Whitman The measure would give
counties supervision in road building,
would abolish the macadam road and
return to good dirt roads 1t would
withdraw state aid, except, perhaps,
for cutting down large bills. 1t would
reduce the highway commission so
that it no longer will stand as a source
of considerable expense to the state.
To place the administration of the
state highway aid law in the hands
of a committee of the county board Of
such county, but investing the state
highway commission with general SUI
pervisory powers is the plan of the
bill introduced in the assembly by Mr..
Woodland Of Chippewa county. In an
other bill Mr.. Woodland proposes to re-
duce state aid from $1,200,000 to
100000 and that for aid in building
bridges from 100000 to $4,000.
Senate Confirms Alexander.
After an hour of debate in which
the question of public policy played
a conspicuous part, the senate, by a
vote of IL to Is, confirmed the appoint
ment of Walter Alexander of Milwau-
commission to succeed David Harlowe
1t requires seventeen votes to confirm
any appointment made by the COVER
nor and passed upon by the senate.
The appointment of John S. Owen
of Eau Claire to succeed himself as a
member of the state highway commits
sion was confirmed by a vote of 20
to g.
Because of the pressure of legisla-
tive work, Senator Whitman resigned
tee, and Senator Rollman was named
to succeed him.
The senate passed the Martin bill
shortening the term of Judge Esch-
weller of Milwaukee
Another bill to reduce the cost of
state government was introduced by
Senator Tomkins. This bill wipes out
the state fish and game warden's de-
partment, state board of forestry, state
conservation commission, commission
of fisheries, and state park board and
transfers the duties of these depart
ments to new commission to be nam
ed the state conservation commission,
to be made up of three members, any.
one of whom may be discharged by the
governor for inefficiency. 1t is provid
ed that the members of this commits
sion shall hold no other office.
Bills Await Signature.
bills originating in the senate and sent
them to Gov. Philip for his signature
Two of the bills, introduced by Sena
tor Martin, provided that the second
choice law shall not apply to judiciary
elections or to nomination of school
directors in cities of the first class
The third, originating with Senator
Burke, provides that the statement
"a nonpartisan judiciary" or ga non
partisan superintendency," shall not
be deemed designation of party OF
principal within the meaning of the
election laws.
Hurry in the passage of these bills
was inspired by a desire to have their
provisions apply to the approaching
spring elections.
Wilkinson Is Made Head
The state BOARD of agriculture at its
annual meeting elected A. H Wilken
son of Bayfield, president; Dr. G. A
kletzsch of Milwaukee, vice president
and Oliver E. Remey, Milwaukee, sec
>~~~~~o~~~~~~~~~~~~~o~o
Lamp Explodes; Town Endangered.
Athens.-The harness shop of John
Cole burned, endangering the entire
village. An explosion of a gasoline