Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1907-01-16
End of Contest for the Sen
atorShip Leaves the
Way Clear.
REDUCTION OF RAIL WAY FARES
Russell introduces Bill Along
Lines of Governors Rec.
ommendation;.
Movement 10 Have Board of Three
Hallway Commissioner School
Teachers Seek to Improve
Conditions.


two houses Of the legislature Will vote
In their respective chambers for United
States senator William Alden Smith.
the Republican caucus nominee. will
receive the votes of thirty two sena-
tors (the entire membership OF the up
per house, and ninety-five Republican
representatives The five Democrat
representatives will vote for Thomas
L. Barkworth of Jackson. the nominee
OF the last Democrat state convention.
At high noon tomorrow the two
houses will meet in joint convention
as required by law and ratify this ac-
tion of the respective bodies. Thus
will end the most memorable contest
for United States senator that has been
waged in Michigan since Thomas w.
Palmer OF Detroit was chosen TO sue
coed the late Senator Thomas w.
Ferry after deadlock OF more than
six weeks duration.
The Break TO Smith.
The details of last weeks caucus
are now an old story. Ii is evident
that the break TO the Fifth district
congressman really commenced at the
Wednesday evening session when Sen
ator Seeley and Representative Nc
Cracker OF Oakland county, the home
OF Governor Warner, cast their ballots
for him. Their action was correctly
interpreted as an expression OF the
wishes OF the chief executive and Ii
exerted a powerful influence in bring
ing about the final result. After the
somewhat sensational developments of
the previous week the election of Ar
thur Hill would have bell pro-
nounced and emphatic WSerloo for
the governor.
While the contest was vigorous and
prolonged IL does not appear TO have
left any very sore spots or any last
ing animosities. The indications are
that the party factions which battled
against each other so fercely and so
long have already extended the olive
branch all around and will. as OF yore,
present solid front TO the enemy. The
speeches of the victor and the van
quished at the final session OF the eau
Gus were in good temper and indica-
tive of harmonious and united action
In the future
Railway Legislation.
Now that the senatorial matter IS
ont Of tie way. the Legislators are set
thing down TO the consideration or mat
ters OF legislation. Already steps have
been taken TO carry out the railroad
legislation programme mapped out by
Governor Warmer in his message.
Senator Russell of Kent has introduced
bill along the line of the governors
Recommendation that passenger fares
in the lower peninsula be reduced to
cents ana those i'm the upper PENN
sula TO > cents. In previous years
many attempts have been made TO re-
duce the rate above the straits from
4 TO scents but all have failed. There
is little doubt, however, that the
change will be made this year and that
the cent provision for the lower pen
Ursula will also carry. This is in keep
ing with legislation in some other.
states and tire governors investiga-
] tons convinced him that the change
will work no injustice to the CON-
panies.
Passenger Earnings Increased.
He found that in each instance
where company was compelled by
the present law. which provides slid
ing scale Of passenger rates based ON
earnings, To reduce its rates, its pas
senger earnings at once increased. In
view OF this fact II is not expected that
1
convincing argument against the bill.
II is expected that the ear shortage
situation will be carefully investigated
by the legislature with view to the
preparation of relief measures which
Will probably embody reciprocal de-
murrace provisions, and that bills de-
signed TO guard against over-capital-
fzation. 10 make railroads common
carriers OF live stock and TO bring cleo
the commissioner OF railroads will be
introduced at an early day.
Board of Three Commissioners.
There Is a movement among the
! manufacturers and shippers OF the
state to change the law so as TO sub
stitute q board OF three ratlroad COM
mlssiOners for the present one COM
misSio Ter plan. and to materially ex-
tend the powers Of the proposed com
mission. 20 that II may have some such
authority within the state as the in
terstate commerce commission has
over commerce between the states. The
fate OF such a bill will he somewhat
uncertain inesmuch as II not only con-
templates the creation OF two new Of
fees but. MS thus FAR exploited. also
provides for very material increase
In the appropriation for salary. some
OF its advocates mentioning 5000 as
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