Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1918-02-13

WAR EXPENDITURES TO RECEIVE
CAREFUL ATTENTION SKIM
tia HSHHHO NTIK


called more than any other, is to pro-
vide funds by which Wisconsin may
continue to do it's part with the other
forty-seven states to help win the
war.
Although there are 10 other bills
now proposed by the governors call
many of these are of minor import
ance and if it were not for the finan-
cial situation would have gone over
to the regular session next January.
The legislature being in session, how
ever, these bills may be handled with
out additional time, as they all are
corrections in present statutes or
remedies for conditions arising out
of the war which will meet the ap-
prevail of practically every member of
the legislature.
1t is absolutely necessary, however,
that the legislature take some action
at this time to replenish the general
fund.- the working balance upon which
the state does it's business, because of
the extraordinary demands made upon
it by war. Wisconsin, perhaps as no
other state, has turned it's state treas
ury over to the national government
in the national emergency The ex-
penditure Of nearly $1,000000 for
equipment, soldiers pay and other
war expenditures might have been
held up by Wisconsin, if the policy
had been adopted to wait until the
national government furnished the
money. This state, however, moved
quickly, used it's own funds which are
to be returned by the national govern
ment and as result it's soldiers went
to Waco thoroughly equipped and
clothed. In all Of the congressional
Investigations of training camps and
the charges resulting of insufficient
clothing not one word has ever been
said about the camp where the Wis
consin National Guard is quartered.
The method to be employed to re-
plenish the general fund, and place
the state in a position to meet further
war demands, has been discussed by
state officials and there has been some
argument in favor Of direct tax The
bill which will go to the special SEES
issue of $1,000,000 The provisions of
this bill will be discussed by the leg
islature and it is expected that without
political or factional division it will
be worked out and receive practically
unanimous support. The only siren
uous opposition is expected to come
from those members who oppose the
etc nd inf Tn
the last session few members voted
consistently against all war measures
and it may be that when the final vote
is taken some members may still vote
mo" on this measure. The bill will
go to the legislature in about the fol-
lowing form:
1t will provide bond issue of ST.
100000, with the authority of group
of state officials, probably the COVER
nor, the secretary of state and the
state treasurer to issue these bonds
in any amount up to the maximum as
the money is needed. The bonds will
pay AZ per cent and will be redeem
able at stated periods beginning after
| five years.
The Legislature probably will be
given the power to appropriate money
to redeem any of these bonds before
five years, if the war should end and
the states finances make that advis-
able The bill, however, will provide
that after five years payments Of at
least 100000 year must be paid.
1t must be remembered that practi-
cally all Of the money which has been
expended is to be returned by the ma
tiOnal government and there is a
possibility that before the five year
period is over the government will be
able to reimburse the state In that
event, according to a provision of the
proposed bill, payments by the gov
eminent will be used to redeem the
bond. The government will pay in
! terest on the amount advanced also
so that in the event of a payment with
in five years the bond issue will have
been no financial burden upon the tax
payers of the state.
In the end the government will pay
the amount with interest, but the pur-
pose of this bond issue legislation
is to spread out the investment over
a period Of years and until the govern
ment does repay the money so that
there will be no burden upon the tax
payers.
In his support Of the proposed bill,
Governor Philip will take the posi-
ton that both industry and individual
have been and will be greatly taxed
by the national government during
the war through direct demands and
that at the same time Wisconsin has
been and will be called upon for many
contributions for the various activi-
ties of the war which will be paid as
the industry of the individuals are
able to meet demands. Because of the
great drain upon the pocketbook of
the taxpayers, necessary in the con-
duct of the war, and received in that
| shirt nv citizens Of Wisconsin tho