Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1905-01-12

portion or taxes. lnere Is no reason
\ why these companies should not come
under the same general system of tax
alton that is applied TO other corpora
tons OF like nature.
/ Under existing statutes the rate per
/ mile charged by railroad companies
| for passenger transportation is limited
| by their respective passenger earnings
In the application OF these laws. ii has
been found that after the earnings OF
some OF the railroads have passed the
limit fixed for decrease in passenger
rates, and after n demand for such a
decrease in rates has been made upon
such companies by the proper state au-
thority, the companies, by reason Of
protracted litigation, have been en-
abled TO continue the higher rates for
| long periods.
While the right Of appeal to the
courts cannot ana should not be de-
MED the railroad companies in these
! matters. yet ! believe that such litl-
CATION could be practically avertcd, mt
least that it would cease TO he en-
couraged, if law were enacted pro
viding that whenever the courts did
not sustain the appeal of the railroad
companies I'm such cases, said com
panies should return TO the state treas
ury an amount equal TO twice the eX-
cess of passenger fares collected dur
ing the pending of the cases in court
The Food Department.
! 1t is my belief that the dairy and
! food department should be so broad
ened in its scope that an opportunity
may be given TO foster and encourage
| the dairy interests of the state. Mich
/ iean has not kept pace with her neigh
boring states in this irdustry.
To produce dairy products, butter,
cheese and milk of wholesome and SUI
perior quality. that will command the
! highest market prices, and yield the
greatest profit to the producer, re-
quires more technical knowledge in
every detail Of the business. from the
growing OF the food crops for the COW
to the manufacture and marketing OF
the product. than does any other
branch of agriculture. Part of this
instruction must necessarily be given
right OH the farm and in the dairy ana
in the factory. 1t cannot be acquired
at college.
| would recommend the addition TO
the police duties of the GARY and food
department, of the duties Of instruc-
ton where necessary. and the enact
ment of such legislation at the earliest
possible moment rs will make possible
the broadening of the scope of this
, department TO authorize this neces-
sary work
Good Roads.
The rapid extension OF free rural
delivery in this state through the faith
full work of our congressman has again
called attention to the inadequacy OF
the present provisions for the building
and maintenance of highways. This
is one of the great questions now be-
fore the congress OF the United States.
and there is reason to expect that a
law will be enacted in the near future
providing for national aid for the
building of roads. Undoubtedly the
legislation will provide for co-opera
tion and the sharing of the expense
with the national government Under
the constitution of Michigan, state aid
cannot be extended to the improve
ment of the public highways. This
constitutional provision would prevent
Michigan from receiving any portion
of the money appropriated by congress
for such purposes. In my judgment
steps should be taken to submit to the
people the question of removing this
prohibition.
Good roads benefit all the people Of
the state not only the farmers and
those outside the villages and cities.
but every resident of the villages and
cities as well. | recommend that
department of road building be instl-
tuted at the agricultural college of this
state.
Farmers Institutes.
Farmers Institutes have long been
established in Michigan and their prac-
teal value cannot be questioned.
recommend ample provision for the
continuance Of this work / would
also urge upon the management of
the institutes the Importance OF rend-
ering every possible assistance TO the
working out of the good roads prob
lem.
Regulation of Automobiles.
The great increase in automobile
travel especially in the rural districts,
has made necessary the consideration
of legislation regulating this means of
travel | recommend the passage of
an effective law on this subject in the
interest Of safety to the public.
Educational Institutions.
| am convinced that no state has in
stitutions better adapted to the needs
which they were intended to supply.
1t is the privilege as well as the duty
of the legislature not only TO provide
i'm an adequate manner for the sup
port Of each of these institutions. but
also To take Il direct personal interest
i'm the present conditions and aims of
the various schools of learning. in or
der to make sure that they are man !
aged with that degree Of efficiency
which results in the most effective !
economy.
National Guard.
The present high standard OF |
efficiency of the Michigan national |
guard Is a matter for congratulation. |
and | believe that the necessary ap- |
preparation To maintain this standard |
should be granted by you.
Primary Elections.
\ subject suggested for your most |
earnest consideration Is that of pri- |