The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1923-08-02


1923 legislature to pass a bill revising
the Wisconsin income tax system was
due directly to maneuvers by Governor
j. J. Blaine, Senator Severson, pro-
gressfve leader in the upper house for
number of years, charged here in
a speech nj which he declared that
under the Blaine administration the
Taxpayers money had been spent and
the expense of the state government
increased at reckless rate of speed"
The Progressive Republican sena-
tor, formerly Governor Blaine's floor
leader, author of a number of surtax
bills and laws, as we'll as of the state
dry enforcement act, laid responsibility
for defeat of tax measure and of the
resolution for investigation of condi-
lions in the site government, at the
door of the governor. His talk is the
first to be given, indicating an open
break between the chief executive and
number of his former followers.
Makes Sensational Charge.
In th@fcourse of his address Senator
Severson made the sensational charge
that women have been locked in Of
fees and assaulted by public officials
in the capitol" He asserted that Gov
ernor Blaine, Though his private sec
rotary, lobbyed in the senate to kill
resolution which would have allowed
an investigation into this alleged sit
uation, as we'll as others. He also
charged that senators who were re-
sponsible for defeat of progressive tax
bills have been given state jobs by
the governor.
Senator Seyerson outlined the fact
that the Progressive Republicans had
a majority in both houses of the legis-
lature and came into office pledged to
revise the tax system. He told how
he and Speaker Dahl, at the behest of
the governor, both, introduced tax bills
following a conference in the execu-
tive office.
at was suggested that there might
be clash by having two tax bills in
troduced, but the governor could see
no force to this objection" the sena-
tor said. "On the first day of March
the Dahl bill was engrossed in the
assembly by vote of 80 to II, vic
tory SO great that it stunned the OPP
position.
Governor Hats Bill.
"Within a week, and before the Dahl
bill could be put on its final passage,
an unusual thing happened. The gov
ernor sent a communication to the
finance committee to the effect that
he wanted all tax bills held up and
Al |, Lo1r h
self.
at is the first time in the history
Of the state, so far as / know, that the
governor has introduced tax bill and
ordered committee to hold up other
bills. The governor did not at any
time even suggest to me that he was
not satisfied with the tax bill l had
introduced. Speaker Dahl, who is in
complete accord with me on tax mat
tiers, informs me that he is in the same
position: that the governor never said
to him that there was anything wrong
with his tax bill
"The next information received"
Senator Severson said, twas that no
tax bill would be ready for six weeks
or more. Naturally this had but one
result, and that was. to break up the
progressive organization. We had
promised the people a short session
and economy: They were given SEES
sion that lasted six months and cost
the state a quarter of million dol
lars.
Bill Finally Reported.
"After considerable protest from
different members that they would not
wait six weeks or more for the tax
bill, it was finally announced that it
would be ready by April /, April Fools
Day. 1t was true to the name of the
day, for after it was prepared and de-
livered to the finance committee, which