Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1897-01-15

3. All telephone companies in city
should be compelled o. exchange tele-
phone service, upon terms 10 be fixed
by the municipal authorities. The pre-
sent law contains provision booking
To that end, bul | an satisfied IN It il Is
too indefinite - ne maze available.
4. The law against cunso. idation OF
telephone COMPARES should be made
so positive aud emphatic and contain
such penalties and torfeilures that it
would be impossible TO "vade il.
Ii has come To my knowledge that
certain railroad corporations of this
state have made contracts with the Bell
Telephone Co. by which, for certain re-
dnctIOn of rates and mutual concessions,
an agreement has been made whereby
the railroad company has agreed to
prohibit opposition telephone companies
from placing telephones in the stations
and offices of said railroads. While
such IA contract is of course absolutely
void, not only as against public policy,
law, which provides against discrimi-
nation, yet it will avoid litigation if
you pass an act which will forever pre-
vent the execution of carrying out such
contracts.
PRISONS.
tie advocates the separation of hard
ened criminals from the rest and the
employment of prisoners in work on
prison farms raising their own food
In the prison shops would have moth
ing but hand work and thus do away
with much of the competition with
goods made bv honest labor. Also be
lieves that it would be well to expert
ment on prison farms with sugar beets
INSURANCE.
Believes that the combine of insur-
ancc companies in Michigan should be
knocked out.
ARBITRATION.
Recommends that no body of men be
allowed privilege of incorporation with
out their free consent, expressed IN the
articles of Incorporation. as in part con
sideratiOn for such privilege, that all
disputes found impossible of adjustment
between employer and employe, shall
be referred TO arbitrator, IN accordance
with the latest platform declaration of
the republicans of Michigan that of the
state convention for 1896, held at Grand
Rapids.
PROTECTION OF FISH.
He recommends that the legislature,
at its coming SESSION, pass such laws
as may be needed to increase the pro-
ductiveness of the fisheries and main
tain their benefits for future genera
tons. An act should be passed en-
larging the meshes of the nets and i'm
posing severe penalty for the taking
of small fish; close season should be
made TO protect the spawning fish, and
a license 10 be laid on the boats and
nets similar to the one now IN force in
Canada, an income derived from such
licenses must not only maintain the fish
commission in their work of artificial
propagation as at present established,
and its enlargement in the future TO It's
fullest possibilities, but at the same
time provide a substantial revenue for
the state.
STATE BANKS.
Recommends that the directors be
compelled TO examine books that the
cashier be required 10 give such bond
as commissioner may require and that
a penalty be imposed whenever the
cashier discount paper without author
ity of board; the banking commissioner
should have power TO close a bank
when he finds it is insolvent.
INHERITANCE INCOME TAN.
He favors tax on inheritances and
incomes and asks that special attention
be given to the subject
SHORT SESSIONS.
Advices that constitutional amend
ment be submitted providing for SEES
sIons of the Legislature of not over 90
days.
CHILD LABOR.
Asks for stringent laws against child