Evening star., 1933-12-24
THRIVING BUSINESS
SEEN IN WISCONSIN
DURING HOLIDAYS
Christmas Welcomed With
Conviction Better Times
Are Actually Here.
BY WILLIAM T. EVJUE.

Special Dispatch 10 The Star.
MADISON, Wis, December 23.-For
the first time in four years Wisconsin
welcomed the Christmas holidays with
the conviction widespread that better
times are not only on the way, but are
actually here. and one Of the outstand-
ing factors contributing to revival is
the Roosevelt c. w. A. program, which
has been providing Sl,200,000 weekly
pay roll Tor families formerly on public
relief
Reports from various parts of the
State show a thriving Christmas busi-
ness, with the department stores in
Milwaukee and other population cen
ters exceeding last years sales figures
by as much as 100 per cent. Indus
trial commission figures showing in.
creased employment in all lines are not
necessary to convince that improvement
has set tn-crowded stores, busy streets
and the faces Of the people tell their
own story.
Liquor Taxes Delayed.
1t is now almost certain that the
Legislature, in session now for two
weeks, will not pass liquor taxing and
regulating bill before the first of the
year: This week saw the introduction
OF the sixth bill for regulating liquor.
Autnorized by two conservative Demo-
Gratis. the plan would apply virtually
the Quebec system to Wisconsin, with
sales by stores and a monopolistic
State-owned wholesale agency. II is
now apparen. that the plan of Gov.
Schmedeman, which would have licensed
liquor buyers at 81 q head and turned
virtually all the liquor revenue over to
the localities, is doomed to defeat.
The Bolens bill, sponsored by a
leading State Senate Democrat, Is much
more likely Of enactment. It allows
local option as to the permissibilitv of
tavern over-the-bar sales and keeps all
revenues for the State for budget BAL
ancing purposes.
One dark spot on the outlook in Wis
consin was the sudden drop in the price
OF cneese from 101a to cents. This
212-cent break set a record for recent
years and means the loss Of hundreds
OF thousands OF dollars a month to
farmers and dairymen. Gov. Schmede-
man, who had sponsored Irrational
cheese week. with a nationally broad
cast speech, only to see the price of
cheese skid during the week" blamed
the drop on Secretary OF Agriculture
Wallace and Wallace's cancellation of
Ihe Federal buttsr-buying program.
Political Circles Alive.
Political circles began to grow uvelv
with the announcement Of several can
dldacies for major posts. Rumor also
began to bring the names Of State fig
ures into the light as likely contenders
IN next years political arena Against
Senator Bob La Toilette, jr., the Demo-
cratic candidacy of Mrs. Gertrude
Bowler OF She5oygan, Democratic ma
tional conirnitteewoman. has been an
nounced. Walter j. KohIer, former
conservative Republican Governor, is
relably reported to be ready to oppose
Senator La Toilette in the Republican
primary.
The State Democratic organization
nlled gap in the State Committee this
week with the election Of Joseph Mar
TIN, Green Bay attorney, to the chair
manship. The Martin election was con-
Sidered a Schmeoeman victory, and
Martin Is one Of the Governors staunch
supporters. William B. Rubin Of Mil
waukee, leader of the more progressive
faction OF Democrats, fought the Mar
tin candidacy, but was voted down.