The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1917-03-02

mo. At the end of the debate the
senate did not feel like tackling a
vote on the bill, so it was decided to
send the measure and several amend
mentS back to committee.
Senator Henry Roethe said that if
the women of the state had few
more old fashioned ideas about max
ing bread, 1t would not be necessary
to get excited about the weight Of
loaves sold by the bakers.
The Skogmo bill is one of the meas
ures advocated by the state dairy and
food commission.
War May Kill Basic Law Plan.
From war-ridden Europe to peaceful
Wisconsin seems like far cry, but
it is fact that the European war has
a direct bearing on matters of legisla-
ton in this state. The chief argument
used to defeat a bill for constitu-
ton convention was that it would be
inadvisable to tamper with the cOnsti-
tuition at time when conditions are
so unsettled. Much the same argument
has been made against SO S, which
would wipe out the law allowing the
use of personal property tax as an
offset against income tax. Opponents
of the bill, which was recommended
by the governor, said the proposed law
would increase the taxes of mer-
chants, manufacturers and jobbers,
who may be called upon to make
heavy contributions to Uncle Sans
preparedness program, therefore it
would be poor policy to increase their
taxes in this state.
A bill recommended by the bank
ing department has direct bearing on
the relation of the European war to
conditions in Wisconsin The bill
proposes that persons who accept
money to be sent to points in Europe
shall be made to pay an annual IL
cense fee of $40 in addition to a bond
of $4,000.
Banker Examiner Xuolt says the
senders of small amounts often dis
cover the fact that their money never
reaches the old country. They are
told that the money was confiscated
by the Germans or sent to the bottom
of the ocean by one of the Kaiser's
submarines. There is no check or
protection in these cases, Mr.. Kuolt
says
1t appears that persans not connect
ed with any reliable agency, subject
to public regulation, are accepting
much money for transmission to points
in Europe Mr.. Kuolt is determined
to have some tab on these agents,
and he is asking the legislature to
give him power to license them.
Drys Flood SoIons With Petitions.
Hundreds of petitions, carrying
thousands of signatures, are coming
on the Evjue bill for a statewide ref
erendum on the prohibition question,
the dry forces being especially active
in the circulation and presentation of
petitions. A series of hearings will
be held on the Evjue bill.
A large number of bills relating to
the election laws of the state have
been introduced, the most drastic
measure in this group being one by
Assemblyman r. S.. Young to repeal
the primary election law. There has
been considerable criticism of the
primary system and leaders on the
conservative and progressive sides adj
NIT that the primary has it's glazing
defects, but it is doubtful if the leg
islaure would get back of any measure
to wipe out the so-called popular
choice method of nominating candi-
dates. To give his bill every possible
chance, Mr.. Young has attached a
clause which would submit the ques-
ton to a referendum vote of the
people.
The bill provides:
A state convention to nominate
candidates for all state offices. In
years when United States senators are
elected the state convention is to NOM
mate candidates for that Office. In
presidential years the state conven-
ton is to nominate candidates for
electors for president and vice-presi-
dent.
A county convention to elect dele
gates to the state convention.
A primary to elect delegates to the
county convention.
A district convention to nominate
candidates for the assembly and state
senate.
The nomination of candidates for
congress at separate conventions held
at the time of holding the state con-
vention.
A non-partisan primary to nomin-
ate candidates for elective city Off
GERS.
The nomination of candidates for
town or village officers at a caucus.
Provisions for the retention of the
corrupt practice act are included in
the bill.
Would Ban Trading Stamps.
Believing that trading stamps and
tokens in connection with the pur-
chases of tobacco, cigars and cigar
cites are an evil, Assemblyman Chas.
r. Hart of Oshkosh has offered bill