The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1917-01-26


the governors message dealt with the
'spernicious lobby" which operated
here two years ago, although the
passage did not deal directly with any
individual or any group. 1t may be
due, too, to the fact that there is
disposition On the part of the legisla-
ture to tighten up on the rules -relat-
ing to lobbying. A resolution is pend
ing which requires that all state and
federal employees who appear for or
against any measure shall be required
to register with the secretary of state,
setting forth for whom they appear.
Assemblyman C. D. Rosa introduced
another joint resolution which caused
an upheaval in the house. Under it's
provisions no person directly or in
directly interested in the promotion or
defeat of any bill would be permitted
on the floor of the assembly even when
that branch was not in session. Rosa
said the house at all times ought to be
a place for members to work. There
was exception to the resolution be-
cause it would apply to former mem
bers of the legislature, to the gov
ernor, justices of the supreme court,
in fact, to all persons. 1t was argued
that the members would not be per-
| mitted to invite citizens to their desk.
The resolution was supported by fifty
five members, thirty-f1ve votes being
cast against it, but was defeated be-
cause two-thirds vote is required I'M
der the rules of the house.
Move to Make Boards Pay Way.
| During the week there was a con-
! ference of legislators on the general
| subject of state commissions. 1t has
| developed that if the present program
of commissions is to be accepted as
| the permanent policy of the state that
| there can be little reduction in appro-
| priations unless some new system of
| administration is provided whereby
| the special boards would bring in
some revenue to meet part of the ex-
| pense of maintenance.
Governor Philip may come to the
rescue in a special message in which
| he will present to the members his
| ideas on consolidation Of departments.
| He believes that state boards like the
| industrial commission which render
services to large corporations should
| receive fees from the interests they
| benefit. The fees would be turned
! over to a fund to maintain these
boards. BY following such system,
| the governor believes, that appropria-
| tions might be cut down.
Under the present plan of operation,
with the special departments reaching
out and taking up new activities, the
| legislature finds it impossible to do
much cutting, unless it is willing to
| tell the boards what they shall and
shall not do.
| There is an inclination in some
| quarters to do away with several spe-
| cial departments in order to return to
| the old form of government admins
! tered by constitutional officers. Little
| progress in this direction will be
| made. however Governor Philip is
advocating economy, but it is under
stood that he would oppose the aboli-
ton of any boards rendering valuable
| services. He has been in close check
! with the work of commissions, and is
well informed as to their activities.
| Aid Northern Wisconsin Development.
Very early in the session the legis
! lature will consider a concrete pro.
gram for the development of northern
| Wisconsin. The republican party plat
| form carried a plank pledging some
| legislative action to aid in the devel-
| opment of unsettled counties, and
| members of both branches seem
| friendly to the idea of lending help
| ing hand to settlers. Just what pro-
gram will be presented and carried
| out has not been decided upon. AS
semblyman John C Chapple, Assem-
blyman A. M Rogers, and Assembly
| man NOrdman have already suggested
! single tax as one way of assisting
settlers. Assemblyman Rogers would
! inaugurate settlers improvement act
whereby the state would stand the
expense of clearing land, five acres
| to be cleared for a period of three
years. Assemblyman Chapple has not
yet worked. out his ideas.
Two Plans to Curb Liquor.
Two thoughts on the liquor question
will be presented to the legislature,
one recommending state wide prohibit
ton and the other stricter regulation
| Assemblyman William T. Evjue will
soon introduce his bill for referen-
dunn vote ON the question of prohibi-
ton. Several regulatory bills are in
One provides for state excise COM
mission of three members to be ap-
pointed by the governor with unlim-
tied power to regulate the liquor bust
ness
Thus far Governor Philip has not
expressed his views. In the closing
paragraph of his message to the leg
islature, however, he intimated that he
! would send in special message on