Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1919-03-20
STATE TO DRAIN
ALL SWAMP LANDS
Bill Will Be Presented to LegisIa.
ture Soon.
APPROVED BY GOV. Phillip
Estimated That Wisconsin Has 4,5O0,.
Acres of Land Which Could
Be Turned Into Good
Farms
By FRED l.. HOLMES.

Madison, March 1S.-What Governor
Philip believes to be some OF the most
important measures before the legis-
lature are the bills providing for the
drainage of the swamp lands of Wis
consin. The main bill has been prac-
tically agreed upon and will be pre-
sented to the legislature for adoption
within the next few weeks.
For four years the Legislature has
been attempting to enact a drainage
measure. The bill died at the 1917
session of the legislature because it
was received by the governor too late.
The special session of the legislature
attempted to take up the matter, but
the time was too short to give ade-
quate consideration and it was finally
decided to lay the bill over until the
1919 session. Two measures have
been presented on the subject. These,
if passed, would affect upwards Of g.
800, 900 acres of land.
1t is estimated that Wisconsin has
within it's borders over 100000
acres of marsh land and A.
100000 acres of land too wet to pro-
duce the best farm products. Of these
millions of acres probably 100000
acres have been drained, leaving g.
100000 acres for future drainage.
While these lands are considered
among the richest in the state, they
are of inferior value in their present
condition.
1t is proposed by these bills, if
enacted, to repeal all other drainage
laws on the statute books of the
state The drainage district bill pro-
vides for the easy drainage of large
areas. 1t provides also for the pur-
chase, condemnation and removal of
milldams when necessary to drainage,
If the public health or welfare will be
promoted thereby, and further pro-
vides that navigable waters may be
used for drainage purposes where the
public health or welfare will be pro-
noted and navigation not injured.
Pensions for aged persons is prOvid-
ed in a bill offered in the upper house
of the Wisconsin legislature by Sen
atOr Zumach. The bill will be given a
hearing by the senate cOmmittee on re-
construction next Thursday. The
measure is far-reaching in effect. 1t
provides that any person who is sixty
five years of age, or who is at least
sixty years of age and is incapacitated
from gainful work by permanent and
mental disability, and who possesses
certain qualifications, shall be entitled
to aid under the bill.
In cities of the first, second and
third classes the board of control shall
appoint an old age pension committee
capacity to the county judge of the
county. Upon receipt of an applica-
ton the county judge shall make an
investigation through the old age pen
sion committee and shall certify the
findings thereon to the state board of
control. The board of control shall
consider the matter and shall have
power to allow or disallOW the applica-
ton. The board Of control is given
power to increase or decrease the
amount of the allowance at any time,
upon information of a change in the
circumstances of the petitioner.
Further power is given the state
board of control to increase or de-
crease or revoke che pension of any
person upon it's own motion. All or
ders and determinations Of the board
of control shall be certified to the
county treasurer of the county.
under the terms of the bill, one-half
of the amounts paid in pensions shall
be a charge against the county and
One-half shall be a charge against the
state. The state board Of control may
in certain cases provide for the care
and maintenance of q penSiOner in the
Wisconsin Veterans home at Waupa-
ca, or in any other suitable home for
old persons, 'but no pensioner shall be
committed to an almshOuse unless his
pension shall have been revoker."
The Nue. bill, making it possible fo'
a city to purchase the property of a
private uIlllty, Will NC given u0dIIuS
Tuesday afternoon. A number Of
cities of the state are urging the pas
sage Of this measure. The Kandutsch
resolution for the REIMBURSEMENT of
the control of the federal government
of the telephone system will be heard
by the senate corporations committee
on Wednesday. The Conant bill, rec
ommended'by the central board of edu-
cation, for a state textbook committee
is on for hearing before the senate
committee on education Wednesday.
The Schultz and the Fons bills to pro-
hibit the teaching of foreign languages
in the grades will be heard on Thurs
day. The Bentley bill to increase the
salary of circuit judges will be heard
Tuesday afternoon. The Jennings bill
repeating some of the so-called harsh
restrictions in the marriage laws and
providing for a certificate from WON
en-, will be heard by the senate judi
ciary committee on Wednesday.
The Coe bill to repeal large part of
the personal property tax and the Jor-
dan bill to increase the grain tax are