Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1923-04-07
With The .k.:l
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legislature. 81

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Madison, Wis.-Growing sentiment
Is apparent in the senate and assem-
bly, against so-caIed labor bills that
are unreasonable and unavoidable in
their provisions.
Defeat in the house of the Weber
bill TO create a basic eight-hour day
on all public work came as a distinct
setback to Socialists and other men,
befs OF the assembly who would go
the limit on labor legislation.
The Weber bill, which provided that
mechanics and laborers on public con
strucUon projects would have been
limited to an eight-hour day, was de
feated, As to So
So marked has been the shifting of
feeling in the. assembly that there are
many who declare that the Tucker
bin to create a basic eight-hour day
in all industry in Wisconsin would
not pass if it came before the body
at the present time. The Tucker bin
was passed three weeks ago, Al to 80.
Singularly, the Weber bill, which is
framed along the same general lines,
was beaten by about the same vote.
In other words, sixteen or seventeen
members changed their minds on the
eight-hour day proposition since the
vote was recorded on the Tucker bill.
Drainage Law Loses in Vote
Repeal Of the Wisconsin drainage
law enacted by the 1919 legislature
was voted by the assembly after an
extended discussion during which
charges were made against the state
college Of agriculture and various f.
nancial interests, which have pro-
NOTED drainage projects
Assemblymen asserted that Wiscon-
sin counties have been burdened with
millions of dollars worth of bonds for
drainage purposes that have proved
ill-adyised and worthless. They de
clared poor farmers were induced to
take up almost sterile farms on
drained marshes and then taxed
heavily to pay for the drainage"
Those defending the university and
the drainage system asked that the
question be dealt with impartially.
City Control of Bars Favored
The assembly finally passed and
sent to the senate the Mark bill
amending the Severson prohibition
law to give cities the power to regu-
late use Of screens, blinds and stand
ing bars in soft drink parlors. The
vote was 43 to 81
Assemblyman Matheson, prohibition
leader, opposed the bill because he
considered it IAN entering wedge for
the return OF the old saloon" The
stalls or booths, which the bill allows,
will assist any effort to bring back
saloons, he said. He declared that
state regulation for bars was better
than local regulation.
Assemblyman Saehtjen favored the
bin on the grounds that it was in line
with the policy of home rule for com
munities to which the legislature is
committed
Gasoline Price Quiz Demanded
Investigation by a joint legislative
committee Of gasoline and other fuel
oil prices in Wisconsin would be au.
thorized under a resolution introduced
in the assembly by Assemblyman
Mark Of Iron county. 1t was referred
to the committee on highways
The resolution sets forth that al
legations have been made to the effect
that gasoline and oil prices are higher
in Wisconsin than in other states and
that if such difference exists, it is a
gross injustice" and unfair expense"
to the citizens of this state
The Investigation committee would
be instructed to make such recon-
mendations in bill form as it may
deem expedient at the present legis
lative session.
The Huber senate Joint resolution
proposing an initiative and referen-
DUN amendment TO the constitution
was cuncurred in by the assembly, SO
to 20. Under the constitution, the
+ resolution win have to be approved
by another legislature before it can
be submitted to a vote Of the people
/ The proposed amendment would give
/ the people power TO propose laws and
TO enact or reject them at the polls