Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1923-05-12
With The 1.k0
WsCOnsinE.IIIillKI$
legislature

Madison, AlS.-Ine JOINT committee
on finance voted Z to 6 to recommend
for indefinite postponement GOV.
Blaine's tax bill, which would repeal
fve-sixths of the personal property
Offset allowed under the state income
tax law, and materially boost income
rates.
Only five days ago, the committee
reported the bill for passage, 6 to 8,
but Senator Anton Kuekuk forced re-
reference of it because hve commit
teemen were absent. Put to the test
with all members present except As
semblyman David Summerville, who
is i'll, the committee reversed its re-
port on the measure.
The measure will be returned to the
senate in the form it was drawn by
Gov. Blaine except for one change.
The governor advocated reducing the
tax commission from three members
to one, but the committee favors
three man commission.
Two hours debate preceded the roll
call. Assemblyman Ruffing, socialist,
submitted an amendment for the pay
ment of income taxes in one sum in
stead of in three installments as pro-
posed by Gov Blaine.
Farmer Solons Hear Call of Soil
With the advent of spring, legisla-
tors minds are turning to thoughts
OF other things than their task here,
it is developing.
The farmer members of the assem-
bly,, 1ifty-three strong are asking for
leaves of absence in considerable
force so that they may get back to
the soil while the spring work is
being done Their absence will be
more keenly felt as the session nears
its end, with the important bills to
be disposed of.
A general unrest is beginning to
be noticeable among members now
that warm weather has appeared, the
veteran legislators say. They hope
that this will cause disposition to
hurry along the session.
Committee hearings are practically
at an end, the bulletins for the COM
ing week show. But few Of the COM
mittees have calendars and those that
have are to consider a small number
of unimpoytant bills.
Settlers Relief Measure Signed
Tax relief to settlers in northern
Al n
operation of the Kamke law which
went into effect with the signature
of Gov. Blaine This new statute pro-
vides that in assessing agricultural
land the EXCHANGED value due to pull
ing of stumps and clearing of timber
and stones, shall not be considered.
The law is in effect until 1928.
The Ridgway bin providing for Gre
alton of memorial commissions in
cities. entrusted with management Of
memorials to former service men, was
signed by Gov. Blaine.
The penalty for mistreatnent of
children was increased to $500 for
each offense by the Barker bill, which
became a law with the governor
signature. A bill by Assemblyman
Price permitting municipalities to
spend $1,000 for Memorial day exer-
cises was signed and added to the
statutes.
Governor Will Use Veto Power
Governor Blaine will use his veto
power to force the legislature to pass
an income tax bill at this session,
which will shift the general govern
ment and educational mill tax burden
now borne by general property to in
comes. In a letter to Senator H. A.
Huber, chairman of the point finance
committee, the governor says he viii
withhold his approval of financial
bills which are supported by mill
taxes. This means that the appro-
priations for the university, normal
schools. common schools, and general
government aggregating about $780,.
600 will be vetoed. unless the legisla-
ture provides for the financing of
these activities by an income tax.
Application was made to the SUI
preme court by Stafford and Trott-
man of Milwaukee for permission TO
bring suit to test the validity OF re-
pealing the secrecy clause of the in
come tax law, Atty. Trottman ap-
peared before Atty. Gen. Ekern ask
ing him to bring suit, which was re-
fused. The suit would make the tax
commission defendants, An injunc
ton has been asked to restrain the
tax commission from enforcing the
law.
The assembly passed, after ex-
tended debate, the Sachtjen bill legal
izing a So per cent a month interest
rate on loans not exceeding $500, and
requiring the licensing of small loan
companies. The vote was 81 to IS,
with the labor delegation voting with