The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1909-02-19
BILLS POURING
INTO HOPPER
Important Measures Before
State Legislature.
CHANGE In BANKING LAWS

amendments Which Seek to Carry Out
the Recommendation of the Michi
gan Bankers Association - Pro.
visions of the Anti-Lobby Bill as
Passed by the Senate-views of the
Special Waterways Committee-Pro,
posed Railway Legislation.
Lansing, Mich, Feb. 16.-Last week
was short one in legislative circles.
| The senators and representatives did
| not return from the long recess until
Tuesday evening and then the house
at once adjourned until the following
morning out of respect TO the memory
Of Mr.. Alex. II. Smith. the veteran
| journal clerk, who died suddenly few
days ago. Both houses were in session
Wednesday and Thursday, adjourning
that day so that the members might go
| to Grand Rapids in the evening to at
tend the Republican state convention
on Friday, most of the members being
uSlSSdleS 10 Judl COulCnllOu.
AS was predicted last week, the
members of the several committees
| gained much valuable III. rmation in
various parts OF the state curing the
recess. They are now informed as 10
the needs of the several state institu
tons which, by the way, have been
given TO understand by the financial
committees of the two houses that
they can expect very little in the way
of appropriations for special purposes
this year. 1t is proposed to pare all
appropriations to the quick and to
make none whatever for new buildings
or equipment unless absolutely i'm.
perative necessity therefor exists.
New buildings at state institutions
will be scarce article during the next
two years.
Waterways Committee.
The special waterways committee
has returned with the idea that the
thing for the state to do is to regulate
the water power companies in the mat
ter of taxation and rates rather than
seek to hinder the development of the
water power of the state. The com.
mittee will make further investigation
before making a report, the desire of
the member being to work out the
best possible solution of the problem
in the interest of all the people of the
state.
Possibly the most notable action OF
the week was the passage by the sen
ate of the anti-lobby bill. This was
not done without much discussion. al.
though but three votes were recorded
against the measure on final passage.
The bill requires all lobbyists to reg.
lister and disclose the source Of their
employment AMI after appearing in be.
half of pending measures to file
statement of compensation and eX.
penses. The bill applies to all public
officers, deputies and clerks and ali
corporations and associations, pro.
viding a severe penalty for directly or
indirectly attempting to influence leg.
islation by gift appointment to Office
or position. The house will give al.
tention to this bill within the next
fortnight probably and the indications
are that it will become law.
To Amend Banking Laws.
Bills are being introduced freely in
both houses, although, owing to the
provision of the new constitution
which does away with practically all
local legislation the number Is much
smaller than at previous sessions.
Among the number of important ones
which have made their appearance
during the past week are several
which seek to amend the banking laws
along the lines recommended by the
Michigan Bankers association. The
association believes that the salary OF
the commissioner of banking should be
increased from $500, the present
rate, to $4,000 per annum and that
sort Of civil service system to govern
examiners should be provided and that
the examiners should receive better
compensation in order that the state
may retain their services.
In the past the experience of tho de
partment has been that many of its
hest examiners are offered higher sal
aries by banks just as they are of
the greatest service to the state. II IS
proposed by the association that tho
deputy commissioner be given a sa,
airy of $4,000, and the salary of exam
iners be graded from $1,000 for the
first year of their employment. TO
maximum of $4,000.
Examination for Examiners.
At present a salary of 81 700 is pro
vided for all examiners regardless Of
length of service. II is proposed TO in.
crease the minimum salary by s250l
per year until the maximum is reached
and that all examiners Re required In
pass an examination before a board Of
three bankers to be appointed by tho
governor. Directors of every state
bank are required, by the terms of tho
bill, to hold monthly meetings for the
examination or consideration of loans
and discounts and a general review OF
the business and affairs of the bank.
Tn case the examination by the com.
missioner discloses an impairment of
capital stock, that official is required
to assess the stockholders In propor
ton to their stock holdings and direct
that the assers.1ent be paid within six
" days. If the assessment is not