River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1921-01-20
MULBERGER LAW
MAY BE CHANGED
Plan to Make Measure Same as
voIStead Act.
OFFERS BILL FOR HOME RULE
Constitutional Amendment, Passed BY
Both Branches at Last Session Of
Legislature, Again Up to Wis
consin Lawmakers.

Madison.-An early attempt to
amend the Mulberger prohibition law,
which permits 25 per cent beer. SO
that 1t will be the same as the Volstead
act with all of its law enforcement
provisions, will be made in the legisla-
ture. prohibition leaders announce.
The bill, prepared by attorneys for
the Anti-SaloOn League, is expected to
pass, leaders say. because such legis-
latiOn was Endorsed by the Republican
platform convention at Madison. Sem
ator Huber, Blaine supporter. will
probably introduce the bill. 1t is said.
Great interest is being manifested
by members Of the legislature in the
boxing commission. Under the Wis
consin law boxing contests are regu-
lated In the state and the boxing COM
mission Is appointed to supervise all
the contests. There is such great In
terest in boxing in the state, especially
in the larger cities, that Governor
Blaine may be asked to sign bill In
creasing the number Of men to serve
on the boxing commission. The COM
mission Is self-supporting license
fee being charged by the state for the
exhibition. 1t is now proposed to In
crease the membership of the boxing
commission from three to five men,
bers.
The two Democratic members of the
Legislature have chosen the first two
seats in Cherokee strip" the name
given the Socialist side of the assem-
bly, at the 1919 session of the iegisia-
ture. The six Socialists at the present
session are seated at the bottom of the
strip, with half dozen Republicans
filling the gap between the other two
parties. There are 80 former members
in the legislature and these have been
given seats of preference. John G.
Shaffer. Milwaukee, has bra.ed super
stition and has selected seat No. 13.
Grade crossing legislation asked for
by Governor Blaine in his message will
be followed by Immediate Introduction
of bill by Senator j. Henry Bennett
Of Viroqua. embodying his IDEAS on the
grade crossing situation. The bill
which Senator Bennett win offer en-
bodies the idea incorporated ia the
grade crossing measure which was de-
| feated by close vote in the senate
two years ago. 1t provides that wher-
the street has been laid out then the
railroad must bear the entire expense
Of grade crossing separation.
Senator Bennett in a statement
pointed out the appalling loss Of life
by automobile accidents at dangerous
crossings and said he would call upon
the railroad commission to furnish to
the legislature, If possible, data upon
the number of grade crossings in the
state and those which are considered
eminently dangerous by the commits
mission. Senator Bennett commented
upon the governors message and said
that he intended to help carry out most
of the governors program.
1.-THE first message Of Governor
Blaine strikes me as conservative
state paper and one that compares IA
vorably with the messages of his pre-
decessors In Office" said Senator Ben
nett. "The conservation of human life
and the elimination of the periis of
grade crossing accidents are important
Generally speaking. am in accord
with the governors recommendations"
OF the 100 members of the lower
house, four are Johnsons. Visitors to
The legislature to see one of the John
sons must make it very plain TO the
sergeant-at-arms which one of the
Johnsons he wants TO see. After call
ing the names of the four Johnsons in
the roll one afternoon Chief Clerk
Shaffer asked whether he had all the
Johnsons who had been elected to the
Legislature. Albert C. Johnson Is a
farmer and banker at Soldiers Grove,
Crawford county; Erick III. Johnson is
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. of Frederick.
Burnett and Washburn counties; Hen
~ r. johnson is a farmer at Calelo-
MIA, Racine county, and John E. John
sen is iumber-coal merchant at Bran
don, Fond du Lac county. Henry +.
Johnson and John f. Johnson are old
members OF the Legislature.
Three defeated members of congress
are making plans to take up civil work
after March 4, when their terms of Of
fee will have expired. according TO
word received from Washington. D.
C.. Congressman Clifford z. Randall.
Kenosha, who is serving his first term
from the First district, will return to
the practice of law. He has served
two terms as municipal Judge in his
home city and has not lost his identity
as member Of the bar.
May Vote as independents.
1t is expected that the four Demo-
Gratis will vote as independents. In
the absence of party group they will
frf,