Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1923-01-31
With tho l7k0
WsConsintj.t,lI$
Legislature. s;

Maulsons NlS.-tAeNeaL OF lnaL pro-
vision Of the Severson dry law which
abolished standing bars and required
salOonkeepers 10 remove screens,
blinds and curtains is sought in a
bill introduced in the legislature by
Assemblyman Mark. Hurley.
A systematic drive upon congress
TO obtain modification Of the VClstead
act TO permit the manufacture and
sale OF light wines and beer was out
lined al a conference in Madison be
tween Ralph W. Jackman. general
counsel for the United States Brewers
association. and wet" members OF
the legislature.
Dashes Hopes of Vets.
Ralph Jackman, attorney for the
liquor interests represented before the
Wisconsin legislature, told a caucus
of wet legislators that Gov. Blaine
had advised him that he would veto
any attempted repeal of the Severson
prohibition law that might be passed
by the legislature. The wet forces Of
the legislature met TO map out a
united course OF action to be followed
during the session. They were told
by Mr.. Jackman that in his judgment
the best course TO follow would be TO
attempt to have congress repeal the
Volstead act, while trying only to
amend the search and seizure clause
OF the state law.
Split over Tax Bill.
Breaks between the governor and
certain administration chieftains have
become public gossip. all arising over
heated differences as TO the exact
form Of Blaines big tax bill. An
nouncement that measure had been
drawn By the state tax commission.
which proposed repeal of the personal
property Offset and increased income
rates al the way from 30 TO 200 per
cent. brought or strained relations.
Such a program was considered In
conference, but 1t was not given
Blaine's final approval. later develop
ments indicated.
OF the different viewpoints devel-
oped. by far the most important one
IS over repeal OF the personal prop
erty Offset Repeal of the Offset is in
itself OF so much importance that the
legislature two years ago spent many
days discussing il, and no other hear
ing was so largely attended. Business
men then pointed out that this one
change would run into $5,000,000,
which would be a very heavy burden
for business TO bear under trying
economic conditions. II is probable
that the same argument viii again be
advanced against the step.
Pushing State Roads Program.
With the administration tax reform
measure out of conference. Gov
Blaine has called meetings TO work
out the highway BILL by which il is
intended to raise millions Of dollars
for state roads during the next two
years. The highway measure win pro
vide:
Graduated auto license fees rang
ing from SO to SIS. based on weight
and cylinder displacement
Classification of the roads Of the
state into state and county trunk and
town systems.
Limitation Of amount Of load to be
carried on state roads.
No gasoline tax.
No property tax for building Of new
roads, but use excess amount raised
under the proposed tax law TO build
roads.
More power to be given to towns
and counties over highways.
Construction of a state-owned ce-
ment plant may grow out of the con-
ferences to be held between the gov
ernor and his supporters. The plant,
It is said, may be located either at
Milwaukee or some other lake shore
town.
Hold Budget Hearings.
Study of the state financial program
looking toward cuts in appropriations
requested by various departments,
boards and commissions has already
been initiated by the joint committee
on finance. Budget hearings will be
held so that departmental heads may
explain requests for appropriations in
excess Of two years ago. The state
banking commissioner and dairy and
food commissioner have already been
heard. Appropriations viii be cut to
the point Of meeting the actual needs
OF governmental departments" said
Senator Henry Huber of StOughton.