River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1921-02-17

/ Something of what this law has done
| for economy in the Legislative ex-
! penditures is shown in the figures
comparing the cost of the Wisconsin
Legislature and that of Iowa. The
total salaries of officers and employ
ees of the Wisconsin Legislature of
the session of 1919 was S78, 1880, or
an average daily cost, for the session
of 204 days, of S38S.15. The same to-
tai for the. Iowa Legislature of the
38th general assembly was $7S,797.
This means that the average daily cost
for their session of 81 days, was
$76o.79.
Slight Hope for Labor Insurance Bill
Prof. Commons and his labor friends
who prepared the labor unemployment
insurance bill have slight hope of the
measure becoming law at this ses-
sion. Indeed, they are not at all sure
that the bill has been whipped into
such shape as they would like to have
it become law. It is sort of scout
measure put out quite as much to ed
ucate the public as to test public
sentiment. In some succeeding ses-
sion a measure of this kind will be
seriously brought forward, and not
unlikely will become law.
Administration Recall Bill Defeated
Perhaps the most significant fea-
ture of Legislative work the past
week, in its bearing upon future leg
islation, was the substantial defeat
of the administration legislative-r
call bill in the Senate on Friday. The
lineup indicated clearly that when
ever a direct issue is presented the
nti-administrative forces will be in
the majority. An interesting quest
ion about the bill, apart from the line
up on it, is that raised concerning its
constitutionality. In substance the
question is, can the Legislature by
any vote increase the powers conferr
ed upon it by the constitution? Ii it
can may it not ultimately encroach
upon the power of the executive? If
it cannot, of what avail is measure
comforting upon itself the power to
negative executive appointments? The
recall bill in question went farther
than merely prescribing the method
by which the Legislature could exer-
else inherent powers; it added new
powers.
Fight Marketing Division Bill
1t is understood that the Wisconsin
Manufacturers association is fight
| ing the new Marketing Division bill
on the ground that it assumes to con-
fer certain inquisitional powers on the
Division which would violate consti-
tutional rights. The friends OF the
bill point out that if the measure is
to affect the establishment of fair
prices it must ascertain costs, and
that this will of course, involve the
examination of books and records OF
manufacturers and merchants. In
other words, the Marketing Division
within limits, would have the same
power in determining fair prices for
the necessaries of life that the Rail-
road Commission now has as to utile
ity service.
Message on Economy
Governor Blaine will within the next
| few days send a message to the Leg
| islature calling attention to the need
| for economy in all departments OF
state activities, and urging the keep
| ing down of the tax rate. This seems
like very proper thing to do in view
of the general financial depression,
If the Governor could indite a mes
sage that would cultivate a more APP
preciative and willing spirit among
taxpayers he would make a perman-
ent contribution to his state and the
country at large. 1t is wise to dis
courage extravaganza in public ex-
penditures, and the Governor who can
effectively do this will be praised, but
the Governor who can teach the tax
paying public to ungrudgingly and
cheerfully render unto Caesar the
things that are Caesars is the one
who will live in history