Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1891-04-24
STATE LEGISLATURE.
COMMISSIONER OF TOLL ROADS
TO BE APPOINTED.
His Duties To Include the Compell-
ing OF Owners of Such Roads TO
Give Value Received.

ing OF Owners of Such Roads TO
Give Value Received.
The bill changing the method of inspect
ing kerosene from the flash TO the Burning
test, which means drop of 90 degrees.
was brought up for final action in the
house this week. The advocates of the
bill claim that, under its provision oil
would be two cents gallon cheaper, Il
saving 10 the people of Michigan of $500,
900 annually. The bill passed without
opposition on the strength OF this state
mcnt.
The house has passed the bill making a
separate judicial circuit Of St. Clair county
DIR. Avery, of Greonyille, has been
elected president of the state board of
health.
The senate committee on railroads has
favorably reported the bill repeating the
| special charte~ Of the Lake Shore 81 Mich-
gar Southern railroad. This act will in
crease the company's taxation about $40,
900 year. Chairman Doran admits that
there Is some doubt as 20 the constitution
atty of the bill, but says that the commit
tee is in favor OF bringing the matter
where the supreme court can decide it once
for all.
The senate has passed the bill appropriate
ing SO, 600 for electric lights.
The senate bribery investigation commit.
tee held session Thursday. Schuyler s.
Odds of Lansing was put upon the stand
and testified that tie paid Senator Weiss
SO for expenses in working up the candi-
dancy Of Col Deland Of Jackson for secre-
tary OF state
The bill making the usual annual appro-
priaCions for the state public school was re-
ceived from the senate by the house Mon
day. Having passed both houses, tae
usual course would have been 10 refer the
bill for engrossment and send it TO the
governor for his approval. The house.
however without objection being made
laid the bill on the table No reasons were
given for this unusual proceeding, but it is
thought the design is to express displeasure
with the action Of the board of control Of
the school.
A bill TO create the Office OF ''Commis-
for discussion in the house on Monday.
| The bill calls for the appointment by the
governor of a commissioner, who is to holi
office for two years. This officer is to look
after all plank, macadamized and gravel
roads maintained under any law of Michi-
gan, upon which toll is taken. At first it
was intended TO place toll bridges under
charge of this commissioner, but the pro
visions in the bill TO that effect were
struck out. The commissioner is TO be
paid salary of $1,000 year, and the
incidental expenses connected with the
Office, together with his travelling expenses,
are to DC paid out Of the state treasury.
He has authority 10 examine into the
financial condition of al plank road and
toll road companies, and all such must
report TO him in the month Of January each
year. They must declare the amount of
capital stock, the amount paid in, and by
whom; the assets and liabilities; residences
of the officers OF the company; cash paid
on account OF the original capital stock
the funded debt; the floating debt; the
value Of the road and bridges; the value OF
the property belonging to the company;
the length of road; monthly earnings OF the
company; expenses Of management and
repairs, with the amount and rates OF toll
| The commissioner has full power to
examine books and papers. and TO issue
| subpenas for the attendance Of witnesses.
The commissioner is also vested with
penary power TO order repairs and
improvements to be made forthwith, and
10 pretermt the taking of toll in cases
where he finds the road in an unfit condi-
! ton, until the repairs ordered are made,
his power going so far as TO prosecute by
I f,.,, lie 81
gate-keeper, attorney or other person
having control of the plank road COM
planned Of. The tax on plank roads is
| increased to 3 per cent on the gross annual
earnings.
The senate committee on finance and APP
( preparations has reported favorably the
/ school for the deaf appropriation bill at
| Sl20, 800 for 1912
| The governor made the following APP
pointments last week: ]. NJ. Weston of
| Grand Rapids, A. J. Shakespeare Of Kala-
mazoo, Levi l.. Barbour of Detroit, Mrs.
A. l.. d'Arcambal of Detroit and Mrs.
| Stephen Baldwin of Detroit TO be the
! Michigan delegates 10 the national confer
ence of state boards OF corrections and
charities at Indianapolis May IS.
The senate committee on public lands,
composed Of Senators Stevens. Mugford
and Gilbert, met on Friday and listened to
the evidence OF T.. V. Conley, deputy
United States marshal of Watersmeet, in
regard to alleged crookcdness of late de
partment employees in selling homestead
claims. No new facts were developed.
The committee meets again next week.
Miss Bayard's Sad Honeymoon.
Count Lewonhaupt, who recently married
Miss Bayard, died at Wilmington, Del, OF
Tuesday morning
The marriage Of Count Lewenhaupt u
Miss Ellen, youngest daughter of ex-Secre
tary of state Thomas Il. Bayard, tool