River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1921-04-28
Matheson Measure Back to
House for Concurrence.
TO GOVERNOR IN FEW DAYS
Amendment Made Striking Out Fea-
ture Which Would Permit Officers
to Jail Persons Who Refused
to Answer Questions.


ly as desired by the Wisconsin Anti
Saloon league, and within ten days
this bill will be presented to the gov
ernor.
The senate, % to IL, adopted the ori-
ginal Matheson bill after incorp0rat-
ing an amendment striking from that
bill the feature which would allow Of
ficials to cast into Jail persons who re-
fused to answer any questions. A
score of amendments were offered TO
the bill but no amendment was ac-
cepted. The victory in the senate the
past week means that the bill will be
back in the house in a few days for
concurrence in amendment and will
then go to the governor.
An institution for the care of 25O
shell-shocked soldiers will probably be
erected on the shores of Lake Mendo-
ia, near Madison, on what Is known as
the Mendoza State Hospital grounds.
Following communication from the
federal government, 1t has been de-
cided to erect four temporary shacks
and one large infirmary building for
the care of these soldiers. President
Harding has indicated that he believes
that these shell-shocked soldiers
should have immediate attention ana
wisconsin will be one of the first
states to avail itself to furnish hos
pital facilities. All of the expense OF
operating will be paid by the federal
government.
These temporary shacks will be
ready for occupancy late in August IL
the legislature passes the bill which
has just been reported. The bill pro-
vides for the transfer of 100000 from
the soldiers disability fund, of $4,000
Of the feleral state aid which has al
ready been paid for the care OF SOL
diers, and $4,000 from the general
fund. DR.. w. f. Lorenz, head of the
psychopathic institute, has been the
prime mover back of the soldiers hos
pital idea. The original bill which was
introduced provided for an appropria-
ton of half million dollars. The new
bill provides for an appropriation or
taxpayers money of only $4,000, and
the remainder of the expense comes
In the form of transfers. The state or
wisconsin is already caring for up
wards of 100 soldiers at the psycho-
pathic institute and If the new insti-
tuition is built $50 can be accommo-
dated.
Senator Louis Arnold, Socialist, has
introduced a bill empowering Miiwau-
kee to purchase public utilities ON
referendum vote and giving the city
authority to regulate and control such
utilities after they are purchased,
without dealing through the state
railroad commission.
The senate refused to reconsider the
vote by which it passed the Arnold
bill, authorizing the mayor of Milwau-
kee to appoint police and fire commits
sioners without submitting these APP
pointments to the council for confirma-
ton.
The senate refused concurrence to
the Polakowski bill which restricted
the use of paint spraying machines and
placed such operation under the con-
troll of the industrial commission. Sen
ators Morris and Titus led the fight
against the bill on the grounds that
such machines were no more injurious
to health than painting by hand.
Assemblyman Johnson's bill was
passed allowing counties of over 20,OOO
population to give q maximum ala 10
fairs of $4,000 and maximum aid
of $1,000 for all counties under 10000
population.
Despite adverse committee recon-
mendation, the senate advanced to
third reading the Summerville bill CIV
ing county option for adopting the
commission form of government.
Every county in the state will have
county agriculture representative by
1923, if the governor signs the Mark
bill given concurrence by the senate.
This bill allows increase TO So counties
by July 1, 1921; 60 counties in 1922,
and to the full quota of II counties by
July /, 1923.
The joint committee on highways
has reported on its conference with
similar committee from Minnesota re-
parding interstate highways and
bridges.
The committee recommended legis-
lation for the construction, mainte-
nance and improvement of all roads
leading to interstate bridges and for
the construction Of such bridges as
may be necessary.
Gravel Rate Causes Loss to Roads.
That the railroads have lost $780,
900 this year on sand and gravel rates
being too high, was the statement of
A. r. Hirst, supporting the Wisconsin
Mineral Aggregate association claims
in the hearing before the state rail-
road commission. A. f. Cleveland, as
sistant traffic manager of the Chicago
e Northwestern, told the commission
orc the nresent scale G. rates prevail