River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1919-02-20
Resolution in Legislature De-
mands Investigation.
PRICE RAISED 100 PER CENT
Bill Provides That Special Committee
of Five Be Appointed to inVesti-
cate Cost of Manufacturing
and Machinery.

ed If the legislature passes the resolu-
ton offered by Assemblyman A. NJ.
McClone of Outagamie county. The
resolution provides:
whereas, the prices of various kinds
of farm machinery have increased DUR
ing the past two years by at least 100
per cent; and
whereas, the price of such machln-
cry for the year 1919 will be abnor-
mally high at a time when demand
therefor will be necessarily great by
the farmers of this and other states
in their attempt and desire to respond
to the worldwide appeal for an UMPIRE
cedented production If food; and
Whereas, the price Of butter and
other dairy products has greatly de-
creased and is decreasing, while feeds
and farm machinery continue to main
tain their price levels; therefore be 1t
"Resolved, that a special committee
of five be appointed to forthwith inves-
tigate and inquire into the present
costs of manufacturing the various
kinds of farm machinery, taking into
consideration the cost OF labor, ma
terials and other elements entering in
to the manufacture thereof"
A bill in the assembly provides for
the competition of the state with the
harvester trust by paving the way Tor
the establishment of factory for
the making Of farm implements OF all
kinds at the state penitentiary by
prison labor.
The assembly is on record as resent
ing any interference with the powers
of the state superintendent of public
instruction by the central board OF ed
ucation. Senator Pullen'S bill to give
the central board power to call school
teachers to Madison for consideration
was killed with only the Socialist
members standing for it.
Two bills have been presented to the
legislature for the semi-annual pay
ment of taxes. Assemblyman Cakes,
author Of one of the bills, claims that
the plan is working successfully in
Minnesota.
The bill to hold a state constitutions
al convention to rebuild the constitu-
ton was killed again. 1t has been IN
troduced and killed each session for
20 years. This. time it was Socialist
measure.
Thursday was the day set for a vote
on the bill to cancel the personal prop
erty tax as an offset to the income tax.
1t was agreed to delay action until
March 6, which was set for field day
for all tax legislation. All hope is
gone for a short session.
The special committee marketing
bill came into both houses of the legis-
lature Wednesday. The bill provides
for state market director, to be ap-
pointed by the commissioner of ag-
riculture, at salary of $4,000 annual
ly. The equity bill, offered last week,
provides for a commission. The mar
ket bill offered Wednesday provides
that the legislature may remove the
director by a vote of lack of conf
dence in the legislature.
Wisconsin bakers may have an OPP
portunity to make the same sized loaf
of bread. Senator George B. Skogmo,
River Falls, offered a bill fixing the
standard of the loaf of bread. He says
that when all bakers have the same
sized loaf the price will take care Of
itself. There will then be an opportu-
nifty for competition. A similar bill
was before the senate two years ago
and defeated by a close vote.
Assemblyman John Chapple, Ash
land, would reduce the number of ac-
cidents at railroad crossings. He of
fered a bill requiring all automobiles
to stop at railroad crossings. He says
that some of the worst accidents have
occurred by automobiles not stopping
at railroad crossings. There will be
strong opposition to this measure.
The state board of health will have
supervision and control over the wa
ter supply and sewerage system of the
state if the bill drafted primarily to in
sure the city of Milwaukee with pure
water, but which has been extended to
include the entire state, becomes
law.
killed the Bartingale Society of Equity
bill to make the railroad commission
elective, but only after sharp debate.
A letter from President TittenmOre OF
the Society of Equity begged in the
name of the society for the bill.
Oppose Bill Aimed at Aliens.
A packed room confronted the as
sembly committee on education when
it met in the assembly parlor to con-
slider the AXel Johnson bill, which
would prohibit the teaching of foreign
languages in all public schools, includ-
ing high schools. About 500 persons
attended the hearing, and those pres
ent included representatives from
churches and parochial schools in all
parts of the state. Charges Were
made that the measure was un-Ameri-
can and uncalled for and tending to