The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1919-02-14
Today Is Last Day to Present
Bills to Legislature.
MUST GO TO COMMITTEES
Wisconsin Country Schooiteachers
Probably Will Be Granted Higher
.Saiary-Senste Passes Bill
Making Minimum SIS.
BY FRED [. HOLMES.

will close today. For the past five
weeks any member of the legislature
has had the opportunity to Introduce
bills. After today all new bills must
come in through committees. The
present indications are that there are
about twO-thirds as many bills at this
session as at the session two years
,, ago.
Wisconsin country schoOlteachers
may be given higher salary. The up
per house of the Wisconsin legislature
has sent to engrossment a bill increas-
fng the minimum salary of country
teachers from $45 month TO $40
month. The original bill as introduced
| asked for $50 month. The commit
tee recommended $50, but when the
senate received the measure it boosted
it TO $40. This latter is in line with
the suggestion of State Superintend-
ent G. p. Cary. The amendment for
the $40 increase was offered by Sena-
tor Witter and was adopted IS to 5.
The Coe bill to give women the right
to vote in presidential elections will
be taken up by the senate late on We'd
neSday.
In the assembly Hellweg has offered
a bill for the semi-annual payment of
taxes. and another measure would
make the penalty for stealing an auto
mobile from 10 to 20 years in prison.
Another lin would make the opening
of a grocery store or meatshop In any
part of the state on Sunday violation
of the Sunday law. punishable with
, heavy fine.
AsSemblyman Lersche, Calumet, has
gone after the packing plants. He has
offered memorial asking the federal
government to own and operate the
plants He claims that the big Five"
should be taken over by the govern
ment. Connors resolution to ask the
government to furnish explosives at
low cost to settlers for use in clearing
lands was adopted.
A veritable food of bills greeted the
legislature today This is the last day
to introduce bills in the house.
Now that the national prohibition
amendment has been ratified the pro-
hibition party in the state of WiscOn-
SIN win probably disband. If 1t does
ii will be the first time In SO years that
the prohibition party column has
not appeared on the state ballot. VIII
liam G. Dean Of this city. recent Pro-
hibition candidate for governor, says
that the future of the party depends
on whether It is intended by the states
to enforce the dry amendment now
that it has been passed.
I'VE are going to stand pat and see.
what the government does" says Mr..
Dean. IF it thoroughly enforces the
prohibition amendment we shall cease
to be q thorn in the flesh"
Cities of Wisconsin viii have an op-
portunity to acquire street railway
property along the same lines as they
may now purchase other utilities If
the bill to be offered in the lower
house by Assemblyman n. e. johnson
!, is enacted into law. The measure to
accomplish this purpose has been
drafted by City Attorney William
Ryan, Madison.
Under the terms of the bill the
council of any city in the state Is en-
powered to adopt by majority vote
resolution calling for vote by cleo
tors on the acquisition of a street
railway property by the city. If the
vote is favorable and the company
does not hold an indeterminate permit,
then the city officials may begin action
in the circuit court. The jury in the
circuit court will pass on the question
as to whether the convenience of the
public demands the expense of taking
over the line.
IF the property is purchased, board
of three utility commissioners, in adj
ditiOn to the mayor and one alderman
to be elected by the council, will take
charge of the utility. This board will
appoint street car manager and de-
termine upon his salary. The bond
matter to finance the system must be
submitted to a vote of the people.
Tt is generally estimated that
voting dry has reduced the
number of liquor bills 20 per cent Of
the total. At the close OF the session
two years ago the senate had consid-
cred TO bills originating in that house
and there were 720 measures original
ing in the assembly, total of 1,429
measures. This does not include
nearly 200 resolutions that were con-
sidered. At the opening of the session
Tuesday 153 bills had been offered in
the house as compared with 100 on
the same date two years ago. These
figures were compiled by Chief Clerk
q. e. Shaffer of the assembly.
A large flood Of measures are ex-
pected today The legislative drafting
department has had 633 applications
for bills, resolutions and amendments
and other information thus far this
year. Many of the bills have not yet
been drafted and will be presented in
the house by title only. On the same