The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1909-09-03
New Laws That Are Now in Effect.

Laws passed by the last legislature
are now in effect, the 80 days required
by the constitution having expired.
They cover a wide range of subjects
and number are of considerable in
terest.
The new liquor law is one. Whether
any effort will be made to have it re-
viewed by the supreme court will de-
pend largely on its practical operation.
Saloons must close at 8 p. m, but in the
cities common council are empowered
to extend the closing hour until mid
night.
Closely allied to the liquor law is the
anti.free lunch law, which makes it a
misdemeanor to serve any free lunch
with drinks, other than crackers and
pretzels, but lit is safe to forecast that
various methods will be found to get
around the restriction.
Although the fact may not be general.
ly known, the legislature has made
every Saturday afternoon legal holt
day. In addition there are seven full
fydged legal holidays and the legisla-
Jure also made Columbus day, Oct. 10,
"a holiday, with the proviso that it shall
not interfere with the courts or banks.
Two new laws will grace the statute
books relative to automobiles: The
most important is the one which makes
'joy.riding" a felony. A chauffeur
who takes his employers machine out
is construed to be "joy-rider." The
punishment is severe. two years i'm
prisonment or a fine of $500, but for a
first offense the judge is permitted to
impose sentence of three months or
800 fine.
A change was also made in the licen-
sing of automobiles. Hereafter the
license fee will be 80, dating from
January 1, and the secretary of state is
obliged 20 change the color of the
license tag each year.
Hereafter the proprietors of billiard
halls or q any place where dice games
are allowed must not permit any minor
under Il, Spr any minor who is student
to.remain in the place on penalty of in
curing fine of $25.
Cocaine is placed on the prohibitive
list and csn only be sold on physicians
prescription. The standard of ice cream
has also been raised. 1t must contain
not less than 10 per cent of butter fat
and must not contain more than one
half of per cent of pure gelatine.
All bonds issued by any county, city,
township. Village or school district are
exempt from taxation. The legislature
also passed a cigarette law, prohibiting
the sale of them to minors, but similar
law has been in existence for years. A
Legislature without cigarette bill
would be an oddity.
A law Of interest to women relates
TO the descent of property. the new law
providing that when a man dies with
out will the wife is entitled to one
third of his property in fee Another
Law provides that every decree shall
provide for the wife's dover when the
divorce is granted to her.
The nurses of the state will now be
able to operate on somewhat Of an in
dependent basis. They secured a board
of registration, which will consist of
three nurses, physician and the secre-.
tary of the state board of health.
The powers of the state railroad COM
mission will be largely augmented
under several new laws. Telephone
companies will now be classed as COM
mon carriers and another law compels
them to exchange messages at junction
points. The water power companies of
the State come under the jurisdiction of
the railroad commission, which is given
authority 70 fix the maximum rate for
supplying electricity.
There are also several new laws regu-
latiag thes conduct and operation of
state bankA One of these makes it a
felony to circulate false statement re-
gaIding tho condition of bank and
fixes the penalty at five years imprison-
meat or fine of s., 600. -