Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1921-01-28
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.

Madison.-So that the Wisconsin
state legislature may be given an OPP
portunity to enact such railroad legis-
lation as win be necessary under the
federal transportation act, NJ. Il. OIL
brich, special counsel for the state.
has asked the United States Supreme
court at Washington to bring the Wis
consin passenger fare cases to immedi-
ate trial.
The state cf Wisconsin has taken
the position that the Wisconsin legis-
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-
cal counsel for The state has asked
that the case be advanced on the cal
endar and it will probably be argued
on February %, or very soon thereaf-
ter
las 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.. 0lbrich 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
o. other states in which controversies
are pending, many Of which are like
wise in session, will be wholly at a
loss for guidanse as 10 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-
latlon OF their Internal commerce /;
that the legislature Of Wisconsin win
ii the oadinary course of events, have
adjourned long prior to a decision of
tlle present actlou, if the hearing Of
The same be delayed to await its regu-
lar course ana order on the docket
The passenger fare matter viii be
one Of tn, most important to come be-
fore the seSsion of the legislature. Ii
favorable decision is obtained from
the United States supreme court the
Wisconsin legislature will probably
enact some passenger fare law. Gov.
einOr Blaine has recommended how
ever, that the railroad commission be
given complete power to supervise alf
passenger fares in Wisconsin. The
state OF Wisconsin takes the position
that II has the power to regulate inter-
state fares II the contention of Wis
@consin is upheld some action will be
taken hy 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 $6,000000 annually On in
comes in the state of Wisconsin. SEN
ntor Stevenson Waupaca county
takes the position that incomes have
been escaping from bearing their lust
burdens of taxation and his bin pro
Vides for surtax ON all individual
and corporation net earnings i'm excess
Of $4,000. II 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 bin will
produce approximately S6,0000OO an.
ntaily. No personal property offset
can be used against this stax. Stock
dividends and bank stock are taxed
under the provisions Of the Severson
bin The latter two provisions were
not originally Incorporated in the sol
dier bonus act
The bill creates a general fund from
which said fund the common schools
viii receive so per cent of the tax so
collected, the state university - per
cent. the state normal schools 10 nor
cent. and tie state highways Is per
cent. Under the provisions of this
bill the common schools get approx.
mately S3,000,0OO, the university
$l500,00o, state normal schools. 5000
GOO; state highways will ret 5000 900
BY the provisions Of the Stevenson bin
no increase in mill taxes will be neces-
sary bat additional amounts which
will be needed to run the government
come from i"come taxes,