The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1907-05-17
nj, rock is 10 be sold to the mu-

4
inequalities and the prison he thus
made source OF profit to the state
| Now then, we have a prison industry
| bill passed by each house and sent
to the other with I'm opportunity at
least for playing of one against the
other or efrectirg compromise by tae
terms of which both bills will become
laws. While the latter is possible, II
is not considered probable.
The much discussed Davis bin ex-
empting all credits from taxation was
disposed of ny the house last wcel;
after, discussion which continued
for several hours. AS anticipated in
these letters, the bill passed the house
by large majority. One of its prin-
cipal advocates was Representative
Dust, who for several years served as
a member of the state tax commission.
The prophets say that the senate will
likewise pass the bill. They also as
sert that Governor Warner will We
10 it.
State immigration Commission.
The indications are that the Fuller
Byrns bill creating state immigra-
ton commission will become a law
The. argument is that Michigan is
about the only state in the west that
does not make play for desirable set
tiers. The need for this class of citi-
zens is much felt in the northern part
of the state, and it is now proposed to
take steps to induce them to locate
there. The state affairs committee of
the house has made 4 favorable re-
port on the bill which provides for
a commission TO be composed Of an
immigration commissioner to be APP
pointed by the governor, who together
with the auditor general and commits
sioner of the state land Office, are ITO
be eX-oflicio members Of the commits
sion.
Attention is called to the fact that
during the past few years many thou
sands of very desirable immigrants
have settled on farms in Minnesota.
Wisconsin, the Dakotas and other
western states, as well as in the Cana
dian northwest, and it is asserted that
Michigan may just as well secure its
share of these settlers If it goes about
the task properly. The bill makes a
modest appropriation for the ensuing
two years for advertising purposes
the plan calling for the preparation
and distribution OF maps, descriptive
books, etc. The commissioner is to
receive an annual salary of $1,000, out
Of which he is to pay the expense of
maintaining suitable headquarters,
pay clerical help, etc. The publicity
plan to he followed is that which va
rious land companies and states have
demonstrated to be success. 1t is
proposed in this manner to dispose of
much of the state land which the state
annually and at great expense adver.
tises for sale for unpaid taxes and al
the same time acquire a desirable. lot
Of new citizens. Several states which
adopted this scheme years ago have
profited so largely by it that they are
spending increased sums in the work
from year TO year
Railroads Not Ready.
Progress is being made very slowly
railroad commission. 1t was expected
that hearings would be pushed last
week. but the railroads were moi
ready and but one session was held
by the committee. At this hearing
representatives of interests which hac
prepared and had introduced bill fol
which the present measure is sub
CD t,Ifn
cred the Objectionable features of the
pending measure, and the hearing was
then adjourned until today to give alb
sent attorneys an opportunity to be
heard.
notwithstanding the determined eff
fort. that will evidently be made te
defeat this bill it looks like winner
and its friends are confident that II
will become a law. The suggestion
previously alluded to, that all actor
be suspended pending an investigation
Of the entire question to be made by 9
commission which shall report to tn,
next legislature, did not take we'll ane
may be considered as having beer
shelved.
For Addition to Capitol.
There Is a chance that this legisla |
ture may make provision for reliev |
ing the greatly overcrowded condi |
ton Of the state capitol. Sen |
ator Tuttle has succeeded in inducing |
the senate to pass his bill making ar |
appropriation Of 100000 for an addi
ton to the west side Of the state
house. There is considerable opposi
tion to the plan in,tho house, and the
bill may not pass that body.
Local bills restricting the liquor traf
fic continue to be passed just abou
as various localities ask for them. TIL,
tendency in this direction has beer
very marked during the present ses
sion, and still the friends of a general
local option bill have been unable t.
make much headway.
Strangely enough Michigan has M
law under which corporation can bs
organized for the purpose of transact
ing the business of selling surety
bonds, notwithstanding the fact that
provision is and has long been made
whereby surety comnanies IF otba, |