Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1917-01-31
DECISION, AMONG OTHER THINGS,
MAY BE CONSIDERED VICTORY
FOR GOVERNOR Philip
OWEN TO BE CANDIDATE
AGAINST JUDGE MARSHALL
Especial Correspondence to Herald.
By II. b. PIXLEY.

Especial Correspondence to Herald.)
BY II. B. PIXLEY.
Madison, Wis, Jan. 30.-Chief
happenings of Importance in the
state capital this week were the
decision Of the railroad rate COM
mission in the TittemOre freight
rate case, the announcement by
Attorney General Owen that he
would be a candidate against
Justice Marshall at the next
election, and the latest exhibit
ton of harmony in the leglsla-
ture.
The freight rate decision will have
far reaching effect the reduction be-
ing on the smaller shipments OF less
than carload lots. 1t is estimated that
the reductions will average fifteen
per cent Although it is only a guess
to even estimate the total saving to
the people in a year, experts who
claim to know, say it will not be less
than 100000. The best proof will be
the annual gross earnings of the COM
Danies, after the business not affect
ed by the decision is subtracted. Only
about twenty-five per cent OF the
freight bills paid in Wisconsin are on
interstate business, or for shipments
from one point within the state to an
other. The commission has no juris-
diction over freight rates where the
consignment starts outside the state
or is going outside the state.
The decision was in the nature OF
III; "a
governor had absolutely nothing to
do with the investigation, and did not
know except in a general way what
the decision was after it was made
until it had been announced it will
be remembered that when he made his
first appointments to the railroad
commission he was criticised. Charg-.
es were made that he was packing the
commission in favor of the railroads.
Now that the commission is composed
entirely of his appOintees, it hands
down a decision against the railroads,
and some of his critics at least, will
be disposed to modify their views. AS
matter Of fact, if it means anything,
the commission has not made a decis
ion in favor Of corporation since
Gov. Philip was inaugurated, and it
has made three reducing rates.
The Owen announcement created
considerable political talk here. JUS
tice Marshall is an old member Of the
supreme court and it is known that
he has ambitions to serve as chief
Justice before he retires. He will
have the advantage of sitting Judge.
which works to better advantage for
a supreme justice than for another jul
dicial officer He has an extensive &C
uuaintance, also. On the other hand
Mr.. owen is perhaps better known,
and he has the reputation of being a
hard campaigner. He may or may
not make a personal canvass, but it is
certain that a good organization will
be maintained in his behalf. His good
run in the last election will help him.
1t should be an interesting contest.
-O-O-O-
Another political rumor is that J.
S. Donald, former secretary of state,
is to be a candidate for governor two
years hence. There may be something
to it, because Mr.. Donald was in Mad
ison and did not take the trouble to
deny it, An organization of Scotch
citizens nominated him as their can
didate, and he accepted the honor.
The latest sign of harmony in the
legislature was the unanimous con-
firmation in the state senate Of two
appointments by the governor. One
was that of George J. Weigle, reap
pointed dairy and food commissioner.
Two years ago Mr.. Wiegles appoint
ment was bitterly opposed by some
Of the men who voted for him this
year Among them was Senator Skog-
mo Of River Falls.
The other appointment was that of
Henry A. TrUmbower to the railroad
commission. Both were confirmed by
vote of 80 to 0.
***
Strictly speaking, the legislature
has done little work except that of the
finance committee, and to the unitiat-
ed it would seem that the members are
not hurrying. The fact is nothing
which shows on the surface can be
done the first month except get the
financial bills ready and that is what
has been done. In former sessions a
hearing on an appropriation within
two months was unheard of. To date
the finance committee has finished
with most of the departments, and it's
first bills will be in this week.
The governor already has signed
one law, continuing the state board Of
public affairs. No. 1 of the Session
Laws of 1917 is on the books, the first
time bill carrying an appropriation
except for immediate use, ever was