The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1901-04-12

freight and in other ways increasing
freight rates so rs 20 make up the dif-
ference. For this reason the Hardy
freight rate bill is being received with
much favor. Railroad Commissioners
Osborn has been advocating such regu-
lation for n number of years, but he
does not agree with all of the proyis-
ions of the Hardy bill. 1t is just pos
sible that some step may he taken
by the present legislature TO regulate
these rates.
The unanimity with which the cleo
trio interurban rush to the attack on
the bill placing these lines under the
supervision of the railroad commits
sioner is not without its suspicious
elements. These suspicious, OF course,
are simply that the companies prefer
to have the present programme OF no
supervision whatever continued al in
finitum. Each of them, however,
makes n different objection to the bill,
but in the aggregate they have evolved
n Job Of objections that can be inter-
preted only as meaning that they
would much prefer to be permitted to
continue to be law unto themselves
and accountable to no one.
The simple fact that these COM
panies stand as one man against n
simple provision requiring them to
euuiD cars with water closets for the
use of their patrons demonstrates
about what the nature of the opposi-
ton to the supervision law is. They
want to be let absolutely alone, and
that. to the ordinary mind, is ample
reason for subiecting them to the same
81 &c
other railroads. Each of them would.
of course. be entirely satisfied with
state supervision under certain con-
ditions. but they argue that the electric
roads are now i'm their infancy and
that it would be well to wait century
or two before taking any action TO
regulate them in any way. II the
LEGISLATORS are to he caught by any
such cuff rs that, many of them are
a mighty sight more gullible than they
appear to be.
Hearing on Randall Bill.
The indications are that the Ran
dali bill which seeks to decrease from
one-fourth toone-siXth of a mill the tax
for the support Of the university will
not become law. Several evenings ago
n hearing was given on this bill, and
President Angel and several Of the
university regents made such con-
vincing arguments as to the necessity
of maintaining the revenue. that even
the author of the bill was converted
and now admits that the bill will
probably never leave the hands Of the
committee.
Another bill designed to impress
the people with the dignity and
SacredneSS of the stars and stripes has
been favorably reported by the house
committee on state affairs. 1t pro-
vides that the flag shall be exhibited
over all voting places on registration
and election days. This report was
made n few hours after the house had
passed the Hallenbeck bill prohibiting
the use of the flag for advertising pur
poses. 1t is probable that both bills
will become law.
Senator Helme succeeded i'm getting
n favorable report from the committee
on state affairs on his bill to prevent
and punish trusts. combinations and
agreements TO fix the price Of any
article or merchandise or commodity.
but i'm n spirit Of plavfulness last
Friday the senate sent the bill to the
judiciary committee. This bill is a
copy of the Missouri law and is quite
brief. 1t simply makes a person who
enters into a trust or combination
guilty Of conspiracy, and makes any
contract or agreement in violation Of
the provisions Of the bill absolutely
void. Any purchaser Of any article
or commodity from any individual.
company or corporations transacting
business contrary to any Of the pro
visions Of the bill shall be liable for
article or commodity. and may plead
this act as Il defense TO any suit for
such price or payment. The Missouri
act has been upheld by the courts. and
the friends Of the Helme bill believe it
is better measure than the anti
trust law now on the statute books Of
this state
For the fourth time in as many
consecutive regular sessions Of the
legislature. the house has but to sleep
the Misunderstanding bill which pro-
videS graded salaries for county Of
ficialS and provides that all fees col
lectcd by them shall be turned into
the treasures of their respective
counties. Various methods have been
reSorted to for the purpose of killing
/
amended so as to apply only to Oak
land COUNTY from which the intro
ducer. Mr.. Waterbury, halls, but 1t is
not probable that he will consent to
have It passed i'm this form. The sur
prsing thing about this bin is that
although It has the unqualified in
dorsement Of both the state grange
and State Association Of Farmers Clubs.
rs well as the state Association Of
Supervisors, the farmers in The house
were far from being a unit in its sup
port. For more than nine years now
tho farmers organizations have been
urging the passage Of this hill.
To License Architects.
Favorable reports have been made
on hills providing for the examination
and licensing of architects and plumb
crS. but as the bills amply only 10
cities Of 1900 and 10000 population,
respectively. the habit is not likely TO
become very extensive. Then again
neither bill has yet been passed and
the chances are that both will he
Killed. The tendency is against in
creasing boards and commissions,
either municipal or state.
Sleeping car companies have always
practically escaped taxation i'm this