The diamond drill., 1907-02-16
GOV. WARNER At
STATE CAPITAL
Takes Hold of the Work of
His Office With Consid-
cradle Vigor.
SENDS IN A SPECIAL MESSAGE
Replies to Protests Against Estat-
fishing Binder Twine Plant
at jackson Prison.
Shows How State and Farmers Would
Profit by the Enterprise-Peu.
tIons for Monument
60 Custer.

$50
Lansing. Mich, Feb. 12.--Governor
Warner returned 10 Lansing last week.
making his first appearance since he
fell III In December. He Is quite full
ly restored 10 health and has taken
hold OF the work OF his office with
vigor. He sIgnallzed his return TO the
state house by formally announcing
the opinion that the time is ripe for
legislation designed 70 make political
contests OF every nature cleaner and
recommending, as means 20 this
end, that provision be made for the
nomination OF candidates for United
States senator at primaries on a plan
similar 10 that under which candidates
for governor and lieutenant governor
are named. This system was sug
gcsted as n stepping stone toward the
direct election OF members OF the up
per house OF congress.
Message on Binder Plant.
Later I'm the week Governor Warner
took occasion to answer I'm a formal
special message 20 the legislature the
arguments against the establishment
AZ the Michigan state prison OF a
binder twine plant made in an anon
ymous pamphlet distributed among
members OF the legislature. The gov
ernor had very little trouble In show
Ing the fallacy OF most OF the state
ments made by the anonymous writer.
The chief executive Is firmly con-
vinced that IL Will be an excellent in
vestment for Michigan 10 establish and
operate a twine plant In Jackson pris-
on. baslng his judgment largely on the
admittedly successful operation or
such plants in North Dakota, Mime
sofa and Indiana.
The testimony OF Governor Johnson,
OF Minnesota, Is 10 the effect that that
state made a profit OF $4,000 during
the past two years In addition 10 ef-
fecting n saving TO the farmers OF the
state OF $4,000 on their purchases
OF twine. As bearing on the promise
OF success or a plant In Michigan, the
governor mentions the fact that from
one Michigan senatorial district alone
there was last year shipped 10 the
irvine mills OF Minnesota more than
300 carloads or fax. This suggests
the possibility Of materially expanding
the fax growing industry In Mlchi-
gan. Inasmuch as there Is a differ
ence OF 50 per ton In freight as be-
tween Jackson, Michigan, and Mime
sofa, II will be observed that the fax
growers OF Michigan would receive a
better price for their product.
Great Financial Success.
Both In North Dakota and Mime
sofa. so great has been the financial
success OF the prison binder twine
plants, the state officials have earnest
ly recommended that the legislatures
make Immediate provision for doubling
the output. In each state. too. at-
tentlon Is called to the fact that this
increased capacity can be provided
without special appropriation, there
beIrfg sufficient money In the fund
created from the profits from the busi-
ness already transacted.
The Michigan situation IN peculiar
/ In that, because OF recent decisions OF
our supreme court. II is lmperatively
necessary that provision be at once
made for the legal employment OF
convlcts. The court has held that
they cannot be employed In the manu-.
facture Of any commodity the principal
supply OF which Is produced In the
state. Governor Warner estimates
that a plant Of sufficient capacity can
ne Installed nc n cost Of about $4,000.
while an additional $125,000 would be
sufficient for so-called revolving or
working fund. o..
Made n Powerful showing.
Michigan shippers OF various com.
mOdles were before the senate rail-
road committee several days ago I'm
support OF Senator Tuttle's reciprocal
demurrngc bin. They made power
ful showing. One OF the speakers was
Hal VI. smith. Of Detroit, attorney for
the Michigan Manufacturers assocla-
ton. AT the investigation OF this as
s0clation and the Grand Rapids Board
OF Trade Mr.. Smith has drafted n COM
prehenslve bill regulating railroad
traffic wholly within the state. The
bin is drafted along the lines of the
interstate commerce act. In some re-
spcct II Is even broader than the ma
tlonal enactment. For instance II
confers upon the railroad commission
which II proposes TO create power TO
promuigatc and enforce rules for
reciprocal dcmurrage. The principal
features OF the bin are as follows:
The abolition Of the Office Of commits
sloner of railroads: appointment OF a
non-partisan commission Of three men,
bors. each of whom must be familiar
with some phase of the transportation
problem: prohibition Of rebates. special
privileges and determinations; con
ferrlng on this commission power 70