Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1923-07-21
MANY NEW LAWS PASSED BY
STATE LEGISLATURE
Important Changes Affecting Var
ious Departments of Government
Now on Statutes.

Madison-Although the 1923
Wisconsin legislature is expected to
be remembered largely for the
things it refused to do. the list of
acts that finally became laws before
sine-die adjournment had risen to
over 450 Many Of the new
statutes, while lacking any sensa-
tional features, make changes of i'm
portance affecting taxation, labor,
government, agriculture, education
and highways.
Legislation Obscured.
Much Of the legislation was OBJ
secured by the happening that oc-
cured to give sensational trend
to the acts Of the two houses
throughout the session. With
nearly 1400 bills introduced and
acted upon, out Of this number over
$50 survived the opposition of the
houses and the exercise Of the
governors veto.
Changes actually made in the
statutes affecting in an important
way the interests of the state, are
listed in the following summary Of
legislation enacted into law.
Taxation
A $500 exemption from property
taxation on all homestead improve
ment goes into effect with the next
years assessment. This law is ex-
pected to remove $155, 100000 Of
real property from the assessment
rolls of the state.
The secrecy clause to the in
come tax law was removed, opening
all revenue returns to public
scrutiny under regulations establish
ed by the tax commission.
Property Of the American Legion
and Veterans of Foreign wars was
relieved from taxation,
The legislature provided a prop
erty tax exemption on land values
amounting to 81 800 for settlers in
the cut-over sections of Northern
Wisconsin.
The tax commission was given au-
thority to educate the public in tax
facts
Fifty chickens included in per
sonal property exempt from taxa
ton.
Labor
One day rest in eight for police
men in second class cities was pro-
vided
The right of defendants in con
tempt of court cases to demand a
jury trial was established.
The legislature legalized peaceful
plcketing in industrial disputes.
Provision was made for extension
of public works during periods Of
unemployment to furnish work for
Wisconsin citizens in need Of an oc-
eupation. State departments are
called on to cooperate in providing
added employment.
Hotels were brought under pro-
visions of the wJmen's hours of
work law, with a maximum 10 hour
day and SIS hour week established
for day work and a hour day and
"a hour week for night work
One days rest in each six for
policemen in cities of the fourth
class was established
The womens hours of work law
was amended lowering the hours to
9 a day and so each week
lnjunctions in labor disputes to be
issued only by circuit courts or
coU of concurrent jurisdiction,
under Barber law
Government
Conservation commission power TO
confiscate limited to require court
order before acquisition.
Ncrdicts of juries in civil cases
may be by five-sixths vote of
jurors.
Creation of a one-man conserva-
ton commission, accomplished by
session
The legislature provided for
establishment of a public debt
amortization fund in Milwaukee.
Appointive State officers We're
made subject to removal by the leg
islature.
The state board Of education was
abolished
Home rule was granted to coun-
ties subject 90 certain limitations.
The size of the University Of