The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1921-01-27
STATE WANTS RAIL
FARE CASE RUSHED
Special Counsel for Wisconsin
Asks u. S. Court Ruling.
LEGISLATURE READY TO ACT
Badger Authorities Seek Immediate
Decision So That Lawmakers Can
Enact Legislation Necessary
Under Rail Act.
BY FRED |. HOLMES.


Madison, Jan. 24.-So that the Wis
consin legislature may be given an OPP
portunity to enact such railroad legis-
laton as will be necessary under the
federal transportation act, NJ. b. Oh
brich, special counsel for the state,
today asked the United State Supreme
court Mt Washington to bring the Wis
consin passenger fare cases to immedi-
ate trial. The state of Wisconsin takes
the position that the Wisconsin legls-
lature has the right to fix passenger
fares in this state. The federal dis
trict courts have denied this, holding
that the interstate commerce commits
sion and congress have complete con-
troll Of this matter. From this decision
an appeal has been taken by the Wis
ConSin authorities so as to have the
case determined while the legislature
Is still in session. Mr. Olbrick, spe-
Cial counsel for the state, has asked
that the case be advanced on the cal
endar and it will probably be argued
on February %.
"As a matter Of common knowledge,
some adjustment of the rate structures
in intrastate passenger transportation
from that established under different
economic conditions should probably
be made says Mr.. Olbrich in his APP
peal to the United States Supreme
court, that, pending the final decision
and disposition of the present appeal,
the legislature of Wisconsin, which is
now in session, and the legislatures
OF other states in which controversies
are pending, many of which are like
wise in session, will be wholly at a
loss for guidance as to the extent OF
the power and authority with which
they are respectively possessed. and
without guidance to enable them to
make such adjustment of their legisla-
tive policy with reference to the regu-
lation of their internal commerce;
that the legislature of Wisconsin will
in the ordinary course Of events, have
adjourned long prior to a decision
The passenger fare matter will be
one of the most important to come be-
fore the session of the legislature. If
favorable decision is obtained from
the United States Supreme court the
Wisconsin legislature will probably
enact some passenger fare law. Gov
ernor Blaine has recommended, how
ever, that the railroad commission be
given complete power to supervise all
passenger fares in Wisconsin. The
state of Wisconsin takes the position
that II has tho power to regulate inter-
state fares. # the contention of Wis
Consn is upheld some action will be
taken by the legislature to reduce the
present passenger fare rates in Wis
COnSin.
Hearings are expected to start on
Tuesday or Wednesday on the Sever
son taxation bill, which would raise
upwards of 100000 annually on in
comes in the state Of Wisconsin. Sen
ator Stevenson e Waupaca county
takes the position that incomes have
been escaping from bearing their lust
burdens of taxation and his bill pro.
videS for a surtaX on all individual
antl corporation net earnings in excess
of $1,000. 1t is probable that big
hearing will be started Wednesday
with joint SESSIONS of the senate and
assembly and that leaders from all
sections Of the state will be called in
to present their views on the matter.
1t is estimated that this bin will
produce approximately $GOOO,OOO an
nually. No personal property offset
can be used against this stax. Stock
dividends and bank stock are taxed
under the provisions of the Stevenson
bill. The latter two provisions were
not originally incorporated in the sol
der bonus act.
The bill creates general fund from
which said fund the common schools
will receive so per cent of the tax so
collected, the state university % per
cent, the state normal schools 10 per
cent, and The state highways Is per
cent, Under the provisions of this
bill the common schools get approyI-
mately S30OO,0OO, the university
ST 100000, state normal schools. 5000.
0O0 state highways will get 100000
by the provisions of the Seyerson bin
no increase In mill taxes will be ncccs-
sary but additional amounts which
will be needed to run the government
come from income taxes.
individuals and corporations nav the
same rate of tax. The first $1,000 Of
earnings for individuals and corpora.
tons is exempted. The rates are then
ms follows:
On the sixth $1,000 or any part
thereof, per cent.
ON the seventh $1,000 or any MARI
thereof, 2la per cent.
On the eighth $1,000 or any part
thereof 3 per cent.
On the ninth $1,000 or any part
thereof ~ per cent.
On the tenth $1,000 or any mart
thereof, per cent.
On the eleventh $1,000 or any part
thereof. 2 per cent,
On the twelfth $1,000 or any part
thereof, 6 per cent.
On all taxable income in excess OF
$4,000 9 per cent