Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1923-06-21
LOOKING IN
ON THE
LEGISLATURES

highway tax legislation mapped out by
the joint highway committee of the
legislature to finance the states road
building program for the next two
years, was finally passed by the as
sembly and sent to Gov. Blaine for
his signature
The program, estimated to produce
$9,O00,000 annually through the impo-
sition of 2-cent gasoline tax and the
assessment of a graduated license fee
on automobiles ranging from $40 to
$26, based upon weight, was accepted
by the lower house with vote OF 70
to Is in its favor.
Gov. Blaine is reported on good
authority to be favorable to both
measures passed by the legislature.
His signature to the measures is an
ticipated by members of the highway
committee who sponsored the tax plan
in both houses.
Central Highway Fund Created
Under terms of the bills, which also
received good majorities in the SEN
ate, a central highway fund is created
from proceeds of the gasoline and
weight taxes. From this fund the
state takes rs per cent of the pro-
ceeds, estimated at $6,750,000, to be
used for the construction and mainte-
nance of 10,000-mile state trunk
highway system. The remaining %
per cent, or $2,25O,0OO, is distributed
back to the counties for use as the
county boards see fit.
The gasoline tax is assessed against
all motor fuels sold for use in auto
mobiles. A rebate is allowed farmers
who buy gasoline for tractors and OPP
orators of motor boats. 1t is to be
collected by the state oil inspector
from dealers.
The weight tax plan is assessed on
q graduated scale against all automo-
biles. The increase is moderate, rang
ing from SO to $26, and according to
the sponsors of the measure, is intend
ed to represent the heavier expense
incurred by the large cars operating
on highways.
Assembly Engrosses Dahl Bill
The Dahl general income tax bill,
lone remaining revenue measure in
the legislature, was engrossed by the
assembly, 81 to II, after the G. E.
Hanson substitute amendment, in
dorsed by Gov. Blaine and Speaker
John L. Dahl, had been adopted.
The. La Toilette Progressive Repub-
licans and Socialists had complete
control of the lower house as they
advanced the Dahl bill, defeating all
proposed amendments to the compro-
mise plan, estimated to produce $14,-
100000 annually from incomes.
Five. attempted amendments were
killed one after the other, with G. E.
Hanson, author of the compromise,
merely moving their rejection.
The bill establishes many of the
rates contained in the finance COM
mittee bill killed by the senate. It is
essentially the original Dahl bill in
most Of its provisions, with few
changes affecting corporation tax
rates and certain administrative fea-
lures.
Conservatives say they will oppose
the measure on the same ground that
they have fought other tax measures.
Senator Kuckuk takes the position
that there is no need for increased
taxes He emphasized that the bal
ance in the state treasury has grown
from $3,943,579 in 1915 to 14,588,560
in 1922. This large increase, in his
opinion, shows such a satisfactory
condition of affairs in the state that
there is no need for larger taxes
State Dry Act Repeal Voted
The Tucker bill providing for repeal
of the Severson prohibition enforce
ment law in Wisconsin was finally
passed in the assembly, SO to 35. This
measure now goes to the dry senate,
where indefinite postponement is an
ticipated by both those opposing pro-
hibition enforcement and those favor
ing it.
Dry forces in the assembly were I'M
able to overcome the lead established
by the vets when on June they en-
crossed the repeal bill, 48 to 43. Much
the same alignment was made on the
motion for final passage.
The stand of the state senate on
former occasions against even mod
crate modification of the Severson en-
forcement statute indicates that the
Tucker bill will meet certain death in
that house, members say. They ex-
pect that little consideration will be
given the proposal.
Courts of concilliation may be insti-
tuted in Wisconsin. The senate passed
a bill for the establishment of such
tribunals. Under this plan people
with small claims could come into
such an informal tribunal and gain
settlement with the aid of a judge act
ing as official umpire without the cost
entailed by law suit.
The joint finance committee recon-
mended for indefinite postponement
Assemblyman Robert Caldwell's bill
for gradual abolition of the teachers
retirement system and Assemblyman
Thomas Duncan's bill for bonding and
registering of private detectives.