The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1923-07-19
'Do-Nothing legislature
of 1923 Really Passed
Much Legislation.
FAILED ON BIG BILLS
Although Called "DO-NOthing'
1t Passed $50 Measures,
Some Important.

nally became law before sine die adj
! jourment had risen to over 450. Many
of the new statutes, while lacking any
! sensational features, make things OF
Importance affecting taxation, labor,
government, agriculture, education and
! highways.
Much of the legislation was 90
scured by the happenings that occurred
! to give a sensational trend to the
acts of the two houses throughout the
session. With nearly 1400 bills intro
duced and acted upon, out of this num-
Der over $50 survived the opposition of
the houses and the, exercises of the
governors veto
| Changes actually made in the stat
utes affecting in an important way the
interests Of the state are listed in the
following summary of legislation enac-
ted into law:
Taxation.
A $500 exemption from property tax
alton on all homestead improvements
goes into effect with the next years
assessment. This law is expected to
remove $165,0OO,OO0 of real property
from the assessment rolls of the state.
The secrecy clauses to the income
/ tax law was removed, opon all revenue
return to public scrutiny under regu-
! lations established by the tax COM
i mission.
/ Property of the American Legion and
/ Veterans of Foreign wars was relieved
from taxation
| The Legislature provided a property
! tax emption on land values amounting
to $500 for settlers in the cut-over
Sections of Northern Wisconsin
| The tax commission was given au-
thor-ty to educate the public in tax
! facts.
Fifty chickens included in personal
property exempt from taxation.
Labor.
/ One day rest in six for policemen in
class cities was provided.
The right of defendants in contempt
Of court cases to demand a jury trial
was established.
The legislature legalized peace pick
citing in industrial disputes.
Provision was made for extension Of
public works during periods of unem-
ployment to furnish work for Wiscon-
sin citizens in need of an occupation.
| State departments are called on to
cooperate in providing added employ
ment.
| Hotels were brought under provisions
of the women's hours of work law, with
maximum 1O-hour day and 55-hour
week established for day work and a
| 9-hour day and 54-hour week for night
work.
One days rest in each six for police
men in cities of the fourth class was
established
The women's hours of work law was
amended lowering the hours to a
day and 80 each week.
Injunctions in labor disputes to be
issued only by circuit courts or court
of concurrent jurisdiction, under Bar
Der Law.
Government.
Conservation commission power to
confscate limited to require court or
der before acquisition.
Verdicts of juries in civil cases may
be by fve-sixths vote of jurors.
Creation of a one-man conservation
commission was accomplished by ses-
sion.
The legislature provided for estab-
lishment of a public debt amortization
fund in Milwaukee.
Appointive state officers were made
subject to removal by the legislature.
The state board of education was
abolished.
Home rule was granted to counties
subject to certain limitations.
The size of the University of Wis
consin board of regents was increased
by two.
An amendment to the constitution
providing for home rule for cities and
villages was submitted to the people.
Power to REGULATE dance halls and
places of public amusement was given
to county boards.
Villages were given power to choose
village managers.
Daylight saving time was prohibited.
The state board Of public affairs was
directed to attempt elimination of dup
LEGATION Of work Of state inspectors,
Height Of buildings in Wisconsin
was limited to 100 feet in all cities ex-
CepG milwaukee, WHSIe d 40 1SGb AAAlA-
tation was established.
A constitution amendment to provide
for the initiative referendum and re-
call was passed by both houses of the
legislature.
A constitutional amendment TO give
legislators a $500 salary for their
two-year term was submitted to the
people,
Strengthening of the state corrupt
practices act was provided by the ses-
sion,
Restriction clause of primary cleo
ton law made more lenient to make 1t
easier for minority party to maintain
place In the general election ballot.
Agriculture.
Appropriation Of $4,000 to the live
stock sanitary board as an emergency
appropriation was voted,
A new law requires that drive wheels
Of tractors be protected.
The use of dairy names in advertis-
ing imitation dairy products is phohib-
tied under new statute