The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1915-02-11
Active In Road BuiIdlno,

Oh lHe SUBJECT VIII NC lhtIOuuCeu III
the senate and assembly. The prevail
ing idea is fer greater degree of home
rifle, restoring to the counties a 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 a state engineer whose duty it
shall be to act in an advisory capacity.
The present high cost of highway con.
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 $l,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 when
the question of public policy played
a conspicuous part, the senate, by
vote of II to Is, confirmed the appoint
ment of Walter Alexander of Milwau-
kee as a member of the state railroad
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 vote of 20
to 2.
Because of the pressure of legisla-
tive work, Senator Whitman resigned
OK Of lei ;ru
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 wardens 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 a 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 i1efficiency. 1t Is provid-
ed that the members of this commits
sion shall hold no other office.
Bills Await Signature.
The assembly passed three election
bills originating in the senate and sent
them to Gov. Philip for his signature.
Two of the bills, introduced by Seua-
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 "a non
partisan uperintendency," shall not
be deemed a designation Of party or
principal within the meaning of the
election laws.
Hurry in the passage OF these bills
was inspired by desire to have their
provisions apply to the approaching
spring elections.
Propose Income Tax Law Changes.
Three significant changes in the in
bills introduced.
Senator Bichler's bill terminates the
office of all present income assessors
December 81 next, and provides that
state tax commission list of six men
from which the commission shall
choose an assessor of income for such
district for a threeyear term.
Senator Baxter offered bill placing
the income exempt at about $4,000, the
same as the federal law allows. 1t is
now $1,000 for married man.
More Money for Capitol.
A bill introduced in the senate APP
propriates $1,20O,OO0 more to the state
capitol commission to complete the
capitol. OF this sum 100000 is to be
available IL 1915 and 100000 in 1916.
Up to the present s5,400,000 has been
expended With the appropriations
carried by the senate bill the total
amount will be $4,000, 600.
The Ballard resolution. commend
ing the administration of State Dairy
and Food Commissioner J. q. Emery,
and recommending his retention in Of
fee, was referred to the committee
on state affairs.
Honor for La Crosse Man.
La Crosse.-The honor of plotting