Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1909-01-07

end that those who come after us may
enjoy the blessings intended for them
by an all-wise Providence.
Fish and Game.
"The experience of the past two
years has persuaded the officials who
are charged with the enforcement OF
the laws enacted for the protection Of
fish and game that these laws need
amending In several particulars, and
these officials are now engaged In an
exhaustive examination OF the laws of
the various states of the Union with a
view to presenting for your considera-
tion measures designed to work a
marked Improvement in this respect.
Dairy Interests.
1.-THE dairy interests of Michigan
have been greatly extended and devel-
oped during the past few years; the
value of the products OF this industry
for the past year having increased sew
eral millions of dollars during this pc
riod. Not little of this increase is
directly traceable to the intelligent ac-
tivfties OF the department having to
do with these interests. This depart
ment has also been active in guarding
the health of the people of Michigan by
constantly warning against the dis
semination OF impure food products
and in protecting the people from i'm
position through the sale of adulter-
ated products which, although not in
furious to health, are not what they
purport to be.
Inspection of Buildings.
"The enactment by the last legisla-
ture of the necessary legislation has
resulted in the inspection during the
past year of approximately one thou
sand school houses and public Duild-
ings with a view to providing ade-
quate protection in case of fire. IL
has at the same time demonstrated
the need for more extended and rigid
safeguarding of these classes OF build
ings. While the several hundred fire
escapes and other means OF protecting
the public which have been installed
by order of the commissioner of labor
have done much to lessen the danger
to the public, the authority of the COM
missioner under the present law does
not include the ordering OF other safe
guards which should be provided.
Free Employment Bureaus.
"Since the establishment by the state
of free employment bureaus in five
cities of the state employment has been
found for nearly $4,000 persons with
out expense to either the employees or
employers.
Employment Of Children.
"As compared with the previous year
the year just closed shows a decrease
OF nearly 40 per cent in the number
of children under sixteen years OF age
employed in this state. Michigan was
among the first of the states to enact
laws regulating the employment of
children, and to the faithful enforce
ment of these laws is due In a great
measure the gratifying improvement
here noted.
Inspection Of Mines.
1.-THE Michigan law for the protec-
ton of coal miners is one of the best
in the country. 1t is a matter of pride
that our state is foremost in guarding
the lives and health of her toilers OF
all classes. It is not strange that in an
occupation so hazardous numerous ac-
cidents should occur, but by constant
watchfulness these accidents are re-
duced to the minimum
Good Roads.
"Since the establishment OF the state
highway department total of 1926
miles of road have geen built under
the supervision of the state highway
commissioner. Twenty-six counties are
now under the county road system and
in April next more than forty addi-
tional counties will vote on the adop-
ton Of the system. II is the opinion
of the commissioner that at least thirty
of these forty counties will vote favor
ably on the proposition.
Militia and Naval Reserves.
1.-THE military establishment Of the
state having been placed by the last
legislature on a basis akin to that of
the regular army, II does not appear
that there is need at this time for any
new legislation governing this impor-
tant arm of the state government. The
new law seems TO be working satisfac-
torily and accomplishing the good re-
suits hoped for by its advocates. Both
the national guard and the naval re-
serves are rendering the state COM
mendabie service. They should be en-
couraged and sustained.
Home for Feeble Minded and Eplleptc.
"The law relating to the Home for
the Feeble Minded and Epileptic
should be amended in respect to the
conditions governing the admission OF
patients. At present, persons are adj
mitted TO this institution without due
process OF law, their admission being
practically at the pleasure of the man
agement. The state should not be
called upon to pay the expense of
maintaining inmates who are not in
INDECENT circumstances.
State Board of Health.
This department of state govern
ment is constantly extending its activi-
ties along practical lines and thus maxi
ing its work of increasing value to the
public. The board and its officers have
kept In touch with all movements de-
signed to make for the betterment of
the sanitary conditions generally and
the protection of the health of.the peo-
pie. Much of practical value has been
accomplished.
State Pioneer and Historical Society.
We are fortunate in numbering in
our citizenship so able and devoted