The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1905-01-20


in the very front rank of similar in
stitutions throughout the world, and
DR. Baker Is recognized authority mo-
only in the United States, but In for
eign countries, his writings and opin
ions being accepted by the leading
scientists of the day. This IS not
mere "happenstance," as it were
Regulations of this nature are not ac
CURED by chance. They are evidence;
of ability and worth which the legis
lators will do well to bear in mind IL
considering the proposition to make
change. ] have been rather careful
observer of state affairs for 2 mum
Der Of years and 1 unhesitatingly ex
press the opinion that the safe re
ceives larger return on the money
1t invests in the state board of health
than it does from any other invest
ment. The records prove it.
Amendment to Banking Law.
Banking Commissioners Moore think.
the banking law Of the state should
be amended SO as to require that all
state banks be examined twice each
year. At present this provision eX.
tends only to the state banks in re
serve cities. Commissioner Moore has
been painstaking official and his rec
Ommendation will carry much weight
The growth Of the state banks in Mich,
igan has been remarkable. Since the
organization Of the department six.
teen years ago. loans have increased
S120,000,000 nearly. and denosits nj
most S130,000,000. The aggregate cap
ital of these banks in Michigan made
81 net increase of 100000 during the
past. year, twenty new banks having
been organized. Only one hank he
came insolvent and present indications
are that this institution will pay de
positors in full without assessing stock
holders. There are now 257 state an(
lightweight national banks in Mich
gan with. total of 603, 234 depositors
Tendency to Increase Boards.
The tendency to increase state
boards and commissions has not al
auctioneers of the state are the latest
to come to the front with requests
for legislation providing for the ex.
animation and licensing of members
Of their callings. Pretty much ali
classes of breadwinners i'm Michigan
are obliged to show their prowess be
fore a state board or commission now.
and it may not be greatly out of the
way to make it unanimous. However
there are those among the Legislators
who incline to the opinion that the
matter has already been carried too
far. For this reason it will not be
surprising If the latest requests are not
granted. Some of the DIRECTORS argue
that Michigan citizens ought to be per-
mitted to turn their eyes heavenward
or brush the festive misquito from
their noses without first arranging
with state board for a license, au-
thorizing them to indulge themselves
In these directions.
Farmer and the Autos.
The farmers in the legislature are
determined to enact some law for the
regulation of the running of auto
mobiles. They complain bitterly of
their experiences and the treatment
accorded them by drivers of auto
mobiles whom they encounter on the
rural highways. The first bill on this
subject to make it's appearance has
been introduced by Representative
Holmes Of Gratiot. 1t provides that
every automobilist shall be licensed by
the secretary of state and the number
Of the license shall be conspicuously
displayed on the machine. The bill
limits the speed at which auto
mobiles may be driven on rural high
ways to fifteen miles per hour on gen.
eral city streets to ten miles and on
the business streets of cities and vii
lagos to six miles. This bill also pro-
vides that each chauffeur must pro-
cure license and wear a badge not
less than two inches in diameter, and
must bring his machine to full stop
when approaching a horse or team on
the highway. The fee for machine
and drivers licenses is 50 each, and
the bill provides heavy penalties for
violation of its provisions.
Regulation of Freight Rates.
There are indications that the pres
cnt legislature may take important ac-
ton looking to the regulation of freight
rates. This matter was up two years
n ern xxha,, fbo