The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1907-04-26
SOLONS TO QUIT
EARLY IN JUNE
-
Ninety Days After Adjourn
ment Cheaper Fares
Will Prevail.
GOVERNOR WARNER SIGNS BILL
Prospects Good for Binder Irvine
Plant at the Prison at
..-.., Jackson.
Primary Election Bill To Be Taken
Up for Consideration This Week
ROOSEVELT to Visit Lam
gEzl sing May 81.

Lansing, Mich, April %. - On
Thursday last Governor Warner APP
pended his signature to the bill reduc-
ing railroad fares in the lower PENN
sula to two cents per mile and in the
upper peninsula to three cents. This
new law viii, therefore, become eff
fective ninety days after the final adj
journment of the legislature. When
this will be is problematical. Final
adjournment will not be reached I'M
til after May 81 at the earliest. On
that day President Roosevelt will visit
Lansing and both houses of the legis-
lature have appointed special commit
tees to arrange for a joint session,
which will be addressed by the presi-
dent. There is no doubt that the
solons will complete their labors early
in June.
Binder Irvine Plant Bill.
Another bill Of great Importance is
well on its way to become law, hav-
Ing been passed by the house with
only three dissenting votes. This is
the Campbell bill making an appropri
alton of $4,000 for the establishment
and operation Of a binder Irvine plant
in Jackson prison-$50,00 for equip
ment and S125,CO0 for an operating
fund. The bill was under discussion
all the afternoon, the opposition being
led by Representative Galbraith of
HOughton, who considers some of its
provisions unconstitutional. Repre-
sentative Miller and Grensel of De-
trOit cast the other two votes against
the measure. The impression is gen
eral that the bill will be passed by
the senate by good majority. 1t is
the purpose Of the administration to
enter into contracts for the necessary
machinery as soon as the bill is signed
by the governor and it is determined
whether to manufacture flax or sisal
Irvine, or both. Governor Warner and
n number of members Of both houses
Of the legislature have made an ex-
haustive investigation of this subject
and are confident that the project will
prove great success. They have no
doubt that it will make money for the
state and reduce the price of twine to
the farmers.
Speaking Of prison labor suggests
the fact that the proposed amendment
to the constitution eliminating the pro-
vision against teaching trades to con-
victs was carried by an overwhelm.
ing majority at the recent general
election. Returns have been received
by Secretary of State Prescott from
nearly all the counties of the state and
they indicate that the majority in IA
vor of repeal will be about $4,000.
There is some talk that the labor
unions, which strenuously opposed the
repeal, will attack the legality of the
proceedings submitting the amend
ment.
Railroad Legislation,
The passage of the passenger fare
bill has not by any means relegated
the subject of railroad legislation to
the rear. 1t is still very much in the
lime light, attention now being given
to the very comprehensive measure
creating q board of commissioners
with extensive powers. Senator Kin
name, Chairman Seely of the senate
railroad committee, Railroad Commits
sioner Glasgow. Attorney General
Bird, Governor Warner and others
have participated in discussions as to
provisions of this bill while it was be-
IN hn
other states has been extensively and
extensively examined. The senate
committee has gone over the bill care.
fully during the past few days. and it
is not improbable that it may he
brought out for action during the
week. In any event action on it will
not be long delayed. Important pow
ers given the proposed commission are
the regulation of freight rates, settle
ment of disputes between companies
and shippers. regulation of the car
shortage problem and providing for
exchange of freight between steam
and electric roads.
AS originally drawn the bill fixed
the salary of the several commission
erS at SJ,OOo per anHuHl. III Is unuer-
stood that this may be reduced to
$1,000. the commissioners to be re-
qured to devote their entire time to
their official duties. The steam roads
are strongly opposed to the require.
ment that they exchange freight with
electric lines. and this and other pro-
visions Of the bill will be earnestly
fought. Those who have been sound
ing legislative sentiment are confident
however, that the bill will become AL
law substantially as agreed to by the
senate railroad committee.
Primary Election Bill.
Owing to the absence Of Representa-
tive Dickinson, introducer Of the
primary election bill, who was de-
fajned at home because of the critical