The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1909-04-03

rice Will cdll tho Jill w iui tuAAArf
consideration at some future date.
The senate dipped just tribe into
national Affairs a few days since. Sena-
tor Moriarity securing the adoption OF
a resolution urging the Michigan dele
cation In congress 10 stand for the
present tariff on iron ore. and Senator
Ming securing favorable action on a
resolution protesting against proposed
federal inheritance tax. Michigan now
derives substantial revenue from In
herltances and the state does not relish
the invasion OF it's preserves by the
federal government.
Text Book Legislation.
Possibly no matter pending In the
legislature is OF greater personal I'm
terest or concern to a larger number
OF citizens OF Michigan than the move
ment TO provide the pupils OF the
state with text books at less price
than is now charged by the publishers.
AS previously stated. this question has
been the subject OF consideration by
special committees representing the
two houses for several weeks.
| AS result OF the investigation made
Senator Aitkin OF the senate commit
| tee has introduced bill which con-
stitutes the members OF the state
board OF education and the president
OF the state normal college state
school book commission, the members
TO serve without compensation for
Services. only actual expenses being
allowed them II is made the duty OF
this commission to select books OF the
proper standard 10 be used In the
schools OF Michigan, and from the list
so selected the county school au-
thorities are to In turn select the
books they wish used In the schools
within their respective jurisdictions
These county authorities are 10 notify
the commission OF the number OF such
books desired. and the commission is
thereupon to negotiate with the pub
fishers for the purchase of the neces-
sary books.
Discriminate Against Michigan.
II the publishers will name a price
within the maximum fixed by the
statute, the books will be purchased.
Otherwise the commission Is directed
TO procure the necessary manuscripts
and advertise for bids for publishing
the books. II Is figured that the scale
OF prices fixed In the bill average fully
100 per cent lower than those now
charged for books In this state.
Michigan. according TO the facts re-
vealed by the committees investiga-
ton, is being Disseminated against
In this particular, the report showing
that Indiana. California. Kansas and
Ontario have for some time been pur-
chasing books at the prices named In
the bill. An idea OF the cuts made In
the bill from present prices which
have long prevailed In Michigan may
be gained from the following Spell
ing books. 10 cents. present price 25
cents; United States history. 80 cents
present price 81: third reader. % cents
present price so cents; fourth reader
30 cents, present price 60 cents: com
plete geography. rs cents: present price
$1.25. In case the commission finds &
necessary TO have special books pub
lIshed, Il is provided in the Aitkin bill
that the contract may be let TO ono
publisher for all the books or for ono
or more OF them
Free Text Books.
Whether determined effort will b.
made TO include in the measure a pro
open question In the case II is de-
tormined to push such clause II vii
provide for paying for the books out o.
the primary school fund or rather tina
portion OF e not needed for the pay
ment OF teachers salaries IT, aftc
the payment of the salaries Of teach
ers an insufficient sum remains TO pay
for the books, the balance is TO b.
raised by direct taxation
Another bill on this subject intro
duced by Mr. Ogg Of the hous'
committee II places all school books
used IN the public schools OF the stat
under the supervision OF the superb
tendent OF public instruction and re-
quires all publishers TO annually fila
In the sunerintendents Office a list OF
minimum d ices accompanied by az
affidavit 10 The effect that the price
named are as low as the books AZ
Nbiu ihi III AUN nAhii Nihi'f ~ viii
observed that the Ogg bill does M
contemplate either free or unifori
text books This important subject WI
come up for early consideration and
is altogether probable that the tw
committees viii find a common groun
TO stand upon and that bill that vii
pass both houses will be evolved
Mortgage Taxation.
The question OF mortgage taxatio'
continues 10 be live one az both ems
OF the state house Two proposition
have thus far been submitted in The
form OF bills One seeks 10 abolish ths
taxation Of real estate mortgages az.
together The former n opposed ~
many on the ground that II would ~
move large part Of the personal PROF.
erty now taxed from the assessment
r,fIa THE a. urvad az couroa IN "a