The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1907-02-22
BILL REVISING
MILITARY LAWS
Principal Features of the
Measure That Will Be
introduced.
ARMOR!ES FOR NATIONAL GUARD
State Military Board Is Given Au-
thority to Erect the
Structures.
Attack ON the Reed Chair Industry at
the Ionia Reformatory-Mic
igan Teachers Want
Better Pay.

Lansing, Mich, Feb. 19.-Thc COM
mittee of five commissioned officers Of
the Michigan National Guard which
has been working for several weeks
on bill thoroughly revising the laws
governing the states military estab-
lishment has completed its work. The
state military board has gone over the
proposed bill, has made minor amend
ments here and there, and will have
the measure presented to the legisla-
ture at once. Two of the principal
features of the bill provide for state
armOrles in the various cities where
companies Of the National Guard are
located and for the payment Of enlist
ed men for attending drills.
Power to Erect Armorics.
The armory section confers upon the
state military board authority to erect
state armories In such cities as it
deems necessary, or to purchase ar
mories now in use. The cost of armo-
rles is limited to $4,000 for single
company, $4,000 per company for
from two to four companies, $1,000
per company for regimental armorieS.
Provisions for the payment of the cost
Of these armOries will be bond issue,
bonds to run for a maximum period Of
fifteen years and bear 4 per cent in
terest. These bonds are to be retired
by the revenue from one twentieth
Of mill tax during the term Of the
bond issue. The expense Of maintain
ing these armories will devolve upon
the companies occupying them, all rev.
enue from rentals for any purpose to
go into the maintenance fund
The bill provides for paying the en-
listed men and officers for attending
not more than forty drills per year.
the minimum rate Of compensa ton be-
ing 20 cents per meeting for prlvates,
the rate increasing with the grade OF
the soldier. Like amounts are to be
forfeited for each unexcuseu absence
from drill. 1t is proposed to encour-
age craftsmanship by providing for
adding certain percentage of the
in the craftsmanship and sharpshoot-
err class.
Qualifications for Promotion.
1t is proposed to do away entirely
with the present system OF eleciing
officers above the grade Of second lic,i-
tenant. all promotions to be governed
by seniority and the fitness of the can
dldate. The existing law empowers
the governor to appoint the brigadier
general from among the officers ABOVE
the rank Of captain. The new bill pro-
vides that this selection shall be made
by the governor from among the colo
nels of the brigade. Even second lieu
tenants will no longer be elected II
this bill becomes a law, but will be
chosen by competitive examination.
Provision is made for an inspector
Of small arms and rifle practice, such
inspector to rank as major and to have
full supervision Of state ranges and
ammunition.
The present rate OF cents per cap.
ita creates fund Of $4,000 per year
for the support Of the military estab-
lishment. 1t is proposed to Increase
the rate to & cents per capita. thereby
increasing the annual revenue to $151,-
OOO
Chair-Nfaking at Ionia.
Following the decision OF the SUI
preme court that the broom. king in
dustry at Jackson II being carried on
in contraventlon OF the convict labor
provision Of the state constitution. an
tto ri, hos hann m, oda IN tbo ra.J oh ~.
industry at the Ionia reformatory. The
defense is that this industry does not
conflict with any community the chief
supply OF which Is manufactured in
Michigan. Warden Fuller states in
his annual report, just issued. that this
contract is the most satisfactory one
ever entered into at the Ionia prison.
II gives employment to 422 prisoners
whose services yield the state $1,000
per month. In addition to this the
convicts, by accomplishing more than
the prescribed tasks. are enabled to
earn 5000 per month on their own &C.
count. In many instances this latter
earning goes to help support families
at home. thus not only encouraging
thrift, but greatly benefiting wives,
mothers and children Of convicts in
their hard struggle for existence dur
ing the enforced absence Of the prin-
cipal wage Garner of the family.
Pays $4,000 for Free Labor.
Attention is called by Warden Fuller
to the fact that, in addition to what It
pays the state and the convIcts. the
chair contract pays $50,OO0 annually
for free labor In Ionia, not taking into
account large sums paid for free labor
that enters into materials procured
away from the city. 1t Is figured by
the warden that this contract pays to
free labor, either directly or
indirectly. fully $4,000 per year, and
he contends that this more than ccm-
pensates free labor for the alleged In.
H.