Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1907-01-16

missioner. It Is evident that the ways
and means committees Of the two
houses will have to wage a constant
and vigorous fight on appropriation
bills. The prosperous times have re-
suited in increased demands being
made by nearly every state institution
and board. II all the appropriations
asked for were 10 be made. this years
budget would be increased more than
S2.O00.0OO over the total of two years
ago. There is vast amount of cut
ting ahead
College Wants More Cash.
So far as hands have thus far been
shown the Agricultural College is the
only state institution that will not ask
for increased appropriations for gener-
al and special purposes. For several
years now this institution has had at
its disposal the revenue from a one
tenth of a mill tax. This revenue in
creases OF course. with the increased
value of the taxable property of the
state. and the college board VIII be
content If the legislature will not dis
turb present conditions. 1t is the
opinion of members of the board that
the increase i'm the assessment basis
Dill provide for the growth OF the in
stituticn. The state board OF agricul-
tire which has charge of this college
will entertain President Roosevelt and
Il number of other distinguished guests
at the semi centennial celebration next
May. and preparations for this occa-
sion are already under way. Presi-
dent Roosevelt accepted the boards in
vitation several weeks ago.
In the Interest of Teachers.
The legislative committee Of the
State Teachers Association is i'm the
field with rve bills which they have
prepared with view to improving the
conditions under which the teachers
of Michigan labor The proposed
measures are as follows:
/. bill governing the election of
superintendent Of schools and school
directors 10y boards Of education in
certain cases, and to define the powers
of such officials
=. A bill prescribing the method of
electing members of boards of educa-
ton.
3. A bill making numerous amend
ments TO the general school law.
4. A bill amending the law govern
ing the payment of tuition by and
cost of transporting to another dis
trict children who have completed the
eighth grade In any school district.
3. A bill fixing minimum rate OF
salaries for all teachers in the public
schools OF the state. such rate 10 be
based on the experience and education
al qualification Of the teachers.
Diiserably Compensated.
This is deemed the most important
Of the several measures proposed. 1t
has been notorious for a number OF
years that Michigan teachers are paid
lower salaries than those OF adjoining
states. The teachers themselves have
always maintained that no class Of
workers are compensated so miserably.
Under the law as ii exists now
townships are permitted TO raise n tax
OF not to exceed one-haIf of one per
cent OF the assessed valuation of the
townships for the Improvement of high
ways. Representative Burdick of An
trim will endeavor TO have this law
amended so as 10 provide that in spe-
cial cases this limit may be increased
by referendum TO | per cent. or 81
per $1,000 of valuation. The chances
are that much will be done in the line
OF improving the highway legislation
~ t.... 49,.
dency to make liberal provision for i'm
proving the highways.
Soil Analysis Map.
A measure in the interests OF the
agriculturalists is in charge of Repre-
sentative Schantz Of Barry county. 1t
provides for an appropriation for max
ing Il soil analysis map or survey Of
the state after the plan i'm vogue i'm
Illinois ana several other states. 1t is
in the interest OF the citizen VINO in
locating farm wishes TO know what
manner OF soil he will find i'm the va
rious counties and subdivisions there
of. and he enabled thereby to deter
mine what crops viii be most profita-
bic.
All freak legislation Is not yet dead
as witnessed by the revival OF a bill
introduced two years ago TO require all
physicians and surgeons 10 refrain
from growing whiskers. The father
of this measure is an employe of the
house who procIaims that doctors
carry medicines around i'm their chests
and diseases in their boards" After
all there may be more truth than
poetry I'm that observation.
Election OF Senators.
One OF the results OF this years SEN
atorial contest will in all probability
be the abandonment OF the method of
nominating candidate for United
States senator which has thus far OBJ
tanned in this state. There is scarcely
room for doubt that provision will be
made so that hereafter candidate
will be named at the general primaries
by direct vote OF all the members of
the roSppctfVe nOlifical parfieS TIE