The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1917-04-18
Governor Slams Insurance Bill.

Governor Signs Insurance Bill.
Governor Philip has placed his sig
nature to the Bennett bill for the
regulation Of fire insurance companies
operating in this state This measure
went through both houses of the leSlS-
lature practically without opposition.
1t was drafted by Insurance Commas
sioner NJ. J. Cleary and is designed to
subject insurance rates in Wisconsin
TO state regulation. Insurance compa-
MES will be compelled TO join rating
bureaus, which will be licensed and SUI
pervised by the insurance department.
All fire insurance business written
must 90 through a stamping office for
rating.
Members of the legislature, who had
hoped for a final adjournment by June
l believe that the session may even be
prolonged to the middle of July. The
turn which the war will take will de-
termine largely whether the legislature
will not be in session after that date
Although the assembly worked all
last week upwards n 300 bills still re-
main for consideration.
With this large grist of work stln
before the legislature, with the imam
cial appropriations of the university
and normal schools still unrepOrted,
and with war measures pending, the
proposition of an early adjournment
of the legislature grows more dubl-
Gus,
War Measure Has Right of Way.
After ten days of vacation the SEN
ate got down to business again. one
Of the first problems which it will take
up will be the consideration of meas
ures needed as a result Of the out
break of war. The assembly will pass
under suspension of the rules the Dill
creating a state council of y members
to gather facts regarding WiscOnSlns
war resources.
That this bin will be followed by
others induced by war conditions now
seems probable. DR.. Charles MCCar-
thy. head of the legislative reference
library, appeared before the leg;sla-
ture and admitted that he expected
other bills would be suggested by the
national government for passage by
the different state legislatures. 1t is
said that one 0f these bills may deal
with the censorship of news. This fact
was brought out when the house had
under consideration that portion of the
defense council bill prohibiting the
council from making public all of the
information which it had in it's posses
sion.
SO many bills are expected to be In
troduced, touching on the war situa>
ton, that it is proposed in some quar-
terS to create. q special joint commit
tee of five members of the legislature
to pass on all military and prepared
ness bills.
Highway Bill.
The state trunk highway bin is be-
ing pushed by the Good Roads asso.
citation of Wisconsin in the senate,
and there Is every Indication that 1t
will pass. 1t has been reported out
unanimously by the joint committee
on highways and the iOin' 0ittee
on nnance, ana reports IfU-
Of the state indicate that il - ~
approved.
The bill provides for the laying out.
by the state highway commission, of
system of state trunk highways not t0
exceed 5000 miles inter-cOnnecting
every county seat and city of 5000
people or over. Provision is made for
an appeal from the decision of the
highway commission to a legislative
committee. 1t provides for construc-
ton of this system under state super
vision and for its maintenance under
state supervision. Most of it's features
are outside the realm of discussion, as
in order to receive the federal aid 1t
was necessary to comply with the
terms of the federal law, which re-
quires a system planned by the state
through its highway commission, con-
structed under the supervision Of this
commission and adequately main
tanned. The financing of this system is
to come in equal parts from three
sourceS-the federal government, the
state and counties.
Million From the Government.
In the three-year period, 1918, 1919
and 1920, Wisconsin will receive from
the national government 1925, 416 for
construction, approXimating $650,000
a year on the average. The state is re-
CURED to meet this appropriation.
Under the terms of the bill the coun-
ties in the aggregate are required to
supply an equal amount. Thus each of
the units pay one-third.
The states portion is to come from
the automobile license fees, which are
to be increased to $40. 1t is estimated
that the number of cars in the above
mentioned period will average 100000,
meaning a revenue of 100000. After
deducting the cost of collection, one
quarter of this, 100000, will be re-
turned to the counties for maintenance
of the present state aid highways.
REGULATES Sale of Explosives.
Senator Witter has introduced bill
to regulate the sale of explosives and
firearms to private parties during the
war. Firms engaged in the sale will
be licensed by the clerk of the town or
municipality in which they do BUSH
ness. Pistols, revOlverS, firearms and
explosives may be sold to persons who
are supplied with permits. The firm
making the sale is required to keep a
complete record of the transaction.