Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1921-01-28
Rail FARE CASE
TO HIGH COURT
Wisconsin Special Counsel Asks
Supreme Tribunal for
Decision.
IMMEDIATE TRIAL is ASKED
State Takes Position That Legislature
Has Right to Fix Passenger
Fares-May be Argued on
February %.

MadiSon.-In order that the legisla-
ture, now in session, may enact such
railroad legislation for the state of
Wisconsin as will be necessary under
the federal transportation act, the
United States Supreme court at Wash
ington, D. c., has been urged by M. B.
Olbrich, special counsel for the state,
to bring to immediate trial all cases
pertaining to passenger fares in this
state.
The state of Wisconsin has taken
the position that the Wisconsin legis-
lature has the right - fix passenger
fares in this state. The federal dis
triet 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 council for the state, has asked
that the case be advanced on the cal
endar and it probably will be argued
on February %, or very soon thereaf-
ter.
CAS- 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. Olbrick 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
loss for. guidance as to the extent of
the Rower and authority with which
they are respectively possessed, and
without guidance to enable them to
make such adjustment of their legfsla-
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 of
the same be delayed to await its regu-
lar course and order on the docket"
The passenger fare matter will be
one of the most important to come be-
Z fore the session Of the legislature. If
a 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 it has the power to regulate intra-
state fares. If the contention of Wis
consin 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 in
the next day or two on the Sever
son taxation bill, which would raise
upwards of S6,0O0,0O0 annually on in
comes in the state of Wisconsin. Sen
ator Stevenson of Waupaca county
takes the position that incomes have
been escaping from bearing their just
burdens of taxation and his bill pro-
vides for a surtax on all individual
and corporation net earnings in excess
OF $1,000 1t is probable that big
hearing will be started this week
with Joint sessions of the senate and
assembly and that leaders from all
sections Of the state will be called in
10 present their views on the matter.
1t is estimated that this bill will
produce approximately $6,0O0,002 an
nually. No personal property offset
can be used against this tax. Stock
dividends and bank stock are taxed
under the provisions of the Severson
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 10 per
cent. Under the provisions of this
bill the common schools get approx
mately $3,000,O00, the university
S1,5O0,O0O, state normal schools, $780,
600; state highways will get 100000.
BY the provisions of the Seterson bill
no increase in mill taxes will be neces-
sary but additional amounts which
will be needed to run the government
come from income taxes.
$500 srVets" Get "War Credits"
'War credits" have been granted by
the University of Wisconsin to about
2,300 former students who served in
the army, navy and marine during the
World war and returned on their dis