The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-01-01
LEGISLATORS WILL
FIGHT HARD FOR A
SQUARE DEAL

Chicago, Jan. Legislators OF the
western states are preparing for the hard-
est fight they have ever made Tor the
square deal"
Advance information from the various
state capitals indicate that more vital
legislation for reform OF bubble abuses
will be enacted this year than during any
previous year in the history of the west.
There promises to be more spectacular
battles on the floors of state assemblies
than ever before. The year 1907 Is TO be
the beginning OF a new epoch in curbng
the rapacious and I'm conserving the well
fare and rights OF the everyday citizen.
Public service corporations, especially
the steam railways and insurance COM
panies are 10 be the main targets for re-
form and remedial laws Bills offered for
enactment will range from the timdly
conservative 10 the limit OF radicalism.
with prospects that several states will
take advanced ground and establish novel
precedents.
Governors i'm most instances will make
the declarations OF war i'm their messages,
but battle cries will come as we'll from
legislators and from administrative de-
partment chiefs.
Aroused by fuel famines and the ina
blity 70 forward grain. live stock and
other commodities to market. the legisla-
lures OF a dozen states will assail the
railroads on the car shortage problem.
State railroad commissions will be clothed
with greater power to deal with this evil,
or remedial laws will be enacted dealing
directly with the problem. OF the many
measures proposed that for a reciprocal
demurrage charge is the main reliance of
lawmakers.
Bills covering railroad regulations will
be many and diverse Several states will
create railroad commissions with broad
jurisdiction i'm dealing with rates and
81. eI.x.r
states are to have their hands strength
oned that they may successfully handle
new problems that have arisen In trans
portation affairs
There il a wide reaching demand for a
two-cent passenger fare. for an anti-pass
law as broad as the recent act of con-
greSs. and for heavier taxation of rail-
road properties. Around these proposals
somo hot fights will revolve.
-Four state legislatures are pledged 20
enact broad primary election law COW
cring congressional, state and county Of
hcials. Political leaders are rounding up
their forces 10 antagonize these meas
ures and there will be hot fights. The
governors OF several states will empha-
eize in their messages the crying need of
nominating candidates by popular vote in
stead Of by snap conventions.
Bills regulating insurance promise TO be
as plentiful as those relating 10 railroads.
Valued policies, curbing OF premiums,
distribution of accumulations. adjustment
of table rates for the better protection OF
the insured and requirements regarding
investments OF earnings are some OF the
matters to he considered
The Stensland and other bank failures
have called forth new efforts TO protect
depositors in state and private banks. IL
linois will enact more rigid regulatory
laws. and Kansas talks OF requiring all
lie NJ Ia
deposit sufficient security with the state
treasurer TO protect all depositors. Gov.
Hoch will advocate such measure in
his message.