River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1921-10-13
The Pasco Banquet


a very enjoyable affair in every res
pect, and the speeches and discussions
were highly entertaining and instruc-
/ tive.
The banquet itself was sumptuous
one, the menu consisting of Spanish
relish, cream of tomato soup, escal-
lcped potatoes, creamed cauliflower,
fried hubbard squash, roast young
chicken with cranberry sauce and
sage dressing, fruit salad, apple pie
la mode, and coffee.
Chas. Settergren Of Baldwin, presi-
| dent of the Pasco Board, officiated as
POSTMASTER Hon. c. E. Hanson, As
semblyman from Pierce county, was
called upon first
Mr.. Hanson gave his views on the
Torrens System, and explained the
failure of a bill ennbodying that sys-
tenn to pass the Wisconsin legislature
during the past session. This bill was
to have given each county an oppar-
tunity to adopt or reject the Torrcns
System by popular vote. 1t was jock
eyed cut of position on the legislative
calendar by opposition among lawyer
members according to Mr.. Hanson.
The Torrens System is method of
judicial registration of titles to land
whereby in legal way land owner
may avoid the necessity of expensive
re- examinations when the property is
subsequently transferred, mortgaged
or otherwise dealt with. 1t is now in
use in many states in the Union and
in several foreign countries. Mr..
Hanson cited incidents in his own
transactions to illustrate the value of
the system. He found that clearing
titles to property in Illinois and Min
nesota, where the Torrens System is
optional, the work was performed I'M
der that system much more satisfact-
orily and far cheaper than under the
old system which necessitates the EN-
ployment of lawyer and complete
clearance for every transaction.
Mr.. Hanson's topic was the cause
Of much discussion, and opposition to
the Assemblyman's views was ex-
pressed by Mr.. Emerson Webster,
Of Hudson. Mr.. Webster's objections
were based chiefly upon the manner
in which the state would be held liable
for any come-backs against Torrens
title, and he gave several reasons
why he would predict that there would
not be complete satisfaction in such
title. The proposition of adopting
the Torrens System will not be
brought Up again in Wisconsin until
the legislature convenes two years
hence, but it would be matter of
sound policy for the voters. to study
up on the matter so that they will at
least know whether they are voting
for physical exercise course or a
system Of clearing land titles.
Atty. J. H. Grimm was next ON the
program, and his discussion of the
tax problem, which included COM
parison of present and past taxes,
together with complete data concern
ing the distribltion of state taxes,
was one that every tax payer would
have profited by. His main point was
that taxes cannot be reduced without
reducing expenditures, and that the
cost of state government is not the
cause of burdensome taxes. Pierce
and St. Croix counties are both below
the average per capita tax for the
state, which is $670. In Pierce county
it is S5.07 and in st. Croix county it
is somewhat larger per capita.
]. G. Bakula of Wilson then gave
some interesting facts concerning the
Building & Loan Association.
Daniel P. Steinberg of Appleton,
president of the State Real Estate
Brokers Association, spoke on "The
Ethics of the Profession" giving some
NdluetutS iliiitS diiu ouSSSSIloilS dlOLS
that line.
Ebert Webster of Hudson, who has
but recently returned from an extend
ed visit in Europe, concluded the pro-
gram with very interesting account
of his trip and of the observations
which he made while there. He spoke
in favor of lower tariff on imports,
and gave his reasons. He also told
of peculiar industrial conditions in
England, where the salaried man pays
a per cent of his salary to the govern
ment which, on the average, makes
him work three months out of the
year for the government Food stuffs,
machinery, ETC., are higher priced than
here, while clothing, especially wool
clothing, is about one-half the price
that it is in the United States.