River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1920-12-30
that for road building.
Farm Hand Wages


by J. A. Becker, Joint Crop Static
ian for the state and federal depart
ments. wages paid for farm hands
in 1920 averaged much higher than
in previous years. The monthly rate
| for year-around hands is estimated
at $3.50 with board and $3.50 with
out, compared to S4S.70 and $4,000
in 1919, $43.50 and 5000 in 1918,
and $2S.50 and $4,000 in 1915. Day
rate for harvest hands with board
was $4.10 and $4.90 without, compar-
ed to $3.50 and S4.02 in 1919, $500
and 1894 in 1918 and $1.83 and $2.2S
| in 1916. Mr.. Becker shows also that
| the price for sugar which prevailed
| the early part of the year stimulated
sugar beet culture, increasing the
acreage from 16,100 acres to 26,70o
acres. The total yield of beets was
$4,000 against $4,000 tons in 1919.
Conservation Commission Figures
Approximately accurate figures on
the work of the State Conservation
/ Commission from licenses of all
kinds amounted in 1920 to $296,000
while the cost. of carrying on the work
| of the commission was about $751;
900. The Commission not only paid
| for itself but added 100000 to the
general fund of the state and in adj
dition to this it caused to be turned
into the school fund of the state about
| $4,000 in fines resulting from its en-
| forcement of the conservation laws.
| The State Conservation Commission
| is one of the few state boards that is
self-supporting and more. As the
| figures show the state is about $780,
600 to the good, after paying the en-
| tire expenses of maintaining the Com
mission.
The inauguration Ceremonies
The committee in charge of the in
auguration. ceremonies of January 3
have adapted several new features
to the program. 1t is planned now to
have the ceremonies held in the ro-
tunda of the first floor above the
ground floor of the Capitol instead
of in the Assembly Chamber. The
rotunda will give at least 5000 peo-
| pie a chance to see and hear the GER
emonies, as against 600 if they were
held in the Assembly Chamber. These
ceremonies are always wholly DEM
ocratic, open to tevery citizen, but a
few special invitations will be mail
| ed to different civic organizations,
! and to the editors of the state. Chief
| Justice Siebeckers' address will I'M
mediately precede the administering
! of the oath of Office to the new offie-
| ials.
Who viii Mr.. Blaine Appoint?
! Nothing has leaked out as to how
different official vacancies which oc-
cur early in the year will be filled by
the new governor Nothing is known
even about he new private secretary
Of the governor, which proposed APP
pointment is generally known at least
a week in advance. There is an inn
preston abroad that Mr.. Blumenfield
| Superintendent of Public Property,
will be retained for time, at least
The impression also prevails that
Mr.. Haugan of the Tax Commission
and Mr. Allen of the Railroad Com
mission, whose terms expire in Feb
ruary will not be rcappointed. Two
unconfirmed appointments on the Civ
1 il Service Commission may be chang
ed. Mr.. James Nevin of the State
Conservation Commission, demo-
crat, will, it is generally conceded
be reappointed. He, has charge OF
fish propagation and culture in this
state for forty years, and is recog-
nized as high authority on@fish cul-
ture all over the country. All in all
is is not expected that there will be
any more changes than there were
in 1915 when Gov Phillip came in.
Busy Year For State Treasurer
State Treasurer Henry Johnson
says the year 1920 was the busiest
year for the Treasury Department
that it is likely to have for years to
come. The total receipts for the year
including transfers, amount to $685.
| 100000 This includes the regular
| soldiers bonus of S16,290,000, and all
so the educatinal bonus of $1,155,000
The department has issued during
the year 100000 drafts, of which
107, 400 went to the soldiers for cash
bonus, and36, $50 for educational bo-
nus which is paid monthly. The peo-
pie of Wisconsin, said Mr.. Johnson
deserve great credit for paying the
soldiers bonus in cash instead of is
suing bonds The amount of money
required to run the treasury depart
4 L Ii